PreK3 to Kindergarten
Course description:
This introductory Spanish class is designed to immerse young learners in the Spanish language through interactive and engaging activities. The focus will be on building a strong foundation in basic vocabulary, pronunciation, and simple phrases. The class will encourage students to develop listening, speaking, and comprehension skills in a fun and nurturing environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Listening Comprehension:* Students will learn to recognize and respond to common Spanish words and phrases through songs, stories, and verbal cues.
- Speaking Skills: Students will practice pronunciation and articulation of simple words and phrases related to everyday topics like colors, numbers, family, and basic greetings.
-*Vocabulary Building: Introduction to basic vocabulary, including colors, numbers, animals, body parts, food, and everyday objects.
- Cultural Awareness:Exposure to Spanish-speaking cultures through music, traditional stories, and celebrations.
Teaching Methods:
- Interactive Songs and Rhymes: Music will be a central tool for learning, with students singing along to songs that reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation.
- Storytime in Spanish: Students will listen to short, age-appropriate stories in Spanish to enhance comprehension and introduce new vocabulary.
- Hands-On Activities: Art projects, games, and movement activities will be incorporated to reinforce language learning in a playful and engaging way.
- Visual Aids: Use of flashcards, pictures, and videos to visually represent vocabulary and phrases.
Assessment:
- Observational Assessments: Progress will be monitored through observation during class activities, focusing on participation, comprehension, and pronunciation.
- Portfolio of Work: Students' work, including art projects and language practice sheets, will be collected to showcase their learning progress.
Expected Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify and pronounce basic Spanish vocabulary.
- Respond to simple commands and questions in Spanish.
- Sing along to songs and recite rhymes in Spanish.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cultural elements from Spanish-speaking countries.
This Spanish class is an opportunity for young learners to embark on an exciting language journey, laying the foundation for future language learning with enthusiasm and confidence.
1st to 5th Grade
Course Description:
This Spanish class for 1st to 5th graders is designed to build upon the language foundation established in early childhood and continue developing students' proficiency in Spanish. The course will focus on expanding vocabulary, improving conversational skills, and deepening cultural awareness. Through interactive activities, students will enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Spanish.
Learning Objectives:
- Listening and Speaking:
- Develop conversational skills by engaging in dialogues, role-playing, and interactive speaking exercises.
- Understand and respond to questions, commands, and stories in Spanish with increasing complexity.
- Reading and Writing:
- Recognize and read simple sentences, short paragraphs, and stories in Spanish.
- Write basic sentences and short compositions, using proper grammar and vocabulary.
- Vocabulary Expansion:
- Learn vocabulary related to everyday topics, such as family, school, hobbies, weather, and community.
- Explore more complex themes, including emotions, time, places, and simple descriptions.
- Grammar and Sentence Structure:
- Introduce basic grammar concepts, such as gender and number agreement, verb conjugations (present tense), and sentence structure.
- Practice constructing sentences and questions with correct syntax.
- Cultural Awareness:
- Explore the diverse cultures of Spanish-speaking countries through music, holidays, traditions, and geographical knowledge.
- Participate in cultural projects and presentations to deepen understanding of the Hispanic world.
Teaching Methods:
- Interactive Lessons: Each class will include a mix of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities designed to be engaging and interactive.
- Group Work and Pair Activities: Students will work together in pairs or small groups to practice dialogues, complete language exercises, and collaborate on projects.
- Storytelling and Reading: Age-appropriate stories, both fictional and cultural, will be used to reinforce vocabulary, reading comprehension, and cultural knowledge.
- Creative Projects: Art, drama, and hands-on activities will be integrated to make language learning fun and memorable.
- Technology Integration: Use of educational apps, videos, and online resources to enhance learning and practice language skills in a dynamic way.
Assessment:
- Formative Assessments: Ongoing assessment through class participation, oral responses, and completion of in-class activities.
- Portfolio: A collection of written work, projects, and assessments to track students’ growth in language skills over time.
Expected Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Engage in basic conversations in Spanish, asking and answering questions with increasing confidence.
- Read and comprehend simple texts, including stories, dialogues, and informational passages.
- Write short sentences and paragraphs, using proper grammar and a growing vocabulary.
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the cultures, traditions, and geography of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Show enthusiasm for language learning and a readiness to continue their Spanish education in higher grades.
This Spanish class aims to foster a love for the language and culture while equipping students with the skills needed to communicate effectively in Spanish, both in and out of the classroom.
6th to 8th Grade
Course Description:
This Spanish class for 6th to 8th graders is designed to transition students from basic proficiency to a more intermediate level of language competency. The course will focus on strengthening conversational skills, expanding vocabulary, and deepening understanding of grammar. Students will engage in more complex reading, writing, and speaking activities while exploring cultural topics in greater depth.
Learning Objectives:
- Speaking and Listening:
- Engage in extended conversations on a variety of topics, using more complex sentences and vocabulary.
- Improve listening comprehension through exposure to dialogues, and multimedia resources.
- Reading and Writing:
- Read and analyze short stories, articles, and dialogues in Spanish, focusing on comprehension and critical thinking.
- Write descriptive paragraphs, short essays, and creative pieces, incorporating correct grammar and varied vocabulary.
- Grammar and Syntax:
- Develop a deeper understanding of Spanish grammar, including verb conjugations in different tenses (present, past, future), use of adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and sentence structure.
- Practice using complex grammatical structures in writing and speaking.
- Cultural Awareness:
- Explore the history, traditions, and current events of Spanish-speaking countries through projects, research, and multimedia presentations.
- Discuss cultural differences and similarities, fostering global awareness and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Teaching Methods:
- Interactive Lessons: Classes will incorporate a mix of lectures, discussions, group work, and individual practice to reinforce language skills.
- Project-Based Learning: Students will engage in projects that require research, creativity, and language application, such as creating cultural presentations, conducting interviews, and crafting original stories.
- Role-Playing and Simulations: Use of role-playing activities to simulate real-life situations where students must communicate effectively in Spanish.
- Multimedia Resources: Integration of videos, podcasts, and online platforms to provide diverse listening and viewing experiences, enhancing language acquisition.
- Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Regular practice through exercises that challenge students to apply new vocabulary and grammatical concepts in context.
Assessment:
- Quizzes and Tests: Regular assessments on vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening skills, including mid-term and end-of-term exams.
- Oral Presentations: Students will prepare and deliver presentations on cultural topics or personal interests, demonstrating their ability to speak fluently and confidently in Spanish.
-*Writing Assignments: A variety of writing tasks, from short responses to longer essays, to assess students' ability to express themselves in written Spanish.
- Projects: Students will complete individual or group projects that integrate language skills and cultural knowledge, such as creating a digital portfolio, researching a Spanish-speaking country, or composing and performing a skit.
Expected Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Hold simple conversations
About me
Hola! My name is Sol Ibarra, and I’m originally from Mexico, where I grew up surrounded by the beautiful Spanish language and rich culture that I’m passionate about sharing with my students. As a native Spanish speaker, I take great pride in teaching my language, something that’s been close to my heart since I was young. My love for teaching comes from my mom, who is also a teacher. Watching her dedication and the joy she found in her work inspired me to follow in her footsteps.
Nothing gives me more joy than helping my students discover the wonders of the Spanish language and the vibrant cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
Outside the classroom, I’m a proud pet parent to three cats—Benito, Cookie, and Microft—and a dog named Jessie. They keep me company and bring a lot of joy to my life. I’m excited to get to know each of my students and share my passion for Spanish with them!