Spanish
Grade 4
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Big Ideas: Students build on their ability to describe others, including family members’ names, physical and personality traits, ages and interests, and study Spanish cultural traditions in more depth to apply their skills in new ways. Students read, interpret and retell "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "Goldilocks" to develop language strategies, such as using cognates, context clues and opposites, and benefit from storysharing sessions with other grades.
Grade 5
Grade 5
Big Ideas: Students learn to use prepositions to describe their physical surroundings and to give directions to others, and develop their cultural knowledge by learning about the Day of the Dead, Las Posadas and Cinco de Mayo. They read an increasingly complex story, "The Three Little Pigs," and focus on retelling, asking and answering questions about the story.
Grade 6
Grade 6
Big Ideas: Students focus on describing their and others' daily routines. They learn to use reflexive verbs, tell time, and extend and decline an invitation. They study cultural events and figures, such as Frida Kahlo, Shakira and Lionel Messi, and read increasingly complex stories "A Very Long Trip" and "Hello, My Friend" to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. There is an increased focus on strengthening competency in reciprocal oral interactions.
Grade 7
Grade 7
Big Ideas: Students explore the impact of geography and culture on the foods and peoples of the Spanish-speaking world. Through the use of short stories and a novel, students learn about cultural experiences in Colombia and Guatemala. Some emphasis is given to practical activities such as ordering food in a restaurant and asking for/giving directions. Students study the novel "Esperanza" to discuss topics of family, refugees, poverty and opportunity, and throughout the year focus on applying skills in all five competency areas to construct and convey meaning. Spanish 7 students have the opportunity to write the DELE exam if they choose.