Junior Languages Highlights

By Ms. Catherine Mugica, Head of Languages, Junior School

This fall we are thrilled to be back in the classroom (and tent!) teaching languages in person. We are grateful for the ongoing support to help ensure that language curriculum delivery continues.

Below are learning highlights in French, Spanish and Mandarin from this fall.  

Intermediate Grades
In French 7, we have been exploring the First Nations’ folk story Why the Raven and the Crow are the Same Colour. Additionally, we are using an exciting new tech tool, Padlet, to track our weekly practice.

In French 4-6, students are well into their studies of the following stories: The 3 Little Pigs, Louis the Frog and Do You Want to Go To Carnaval? The focus continues to be acquiring new vocabulary through the use of AIM and using the target language in class as much as possible. 

In Spanish 7, we are reading the novel Esperanza, which follows the true story of a family fleeing Guatemala during the civil war. We are also using Padlet to track our weekly practice.

In Spanish 6, we are following the exciting adventures of Llama, Guinea Pig and Monkey as they escape from the zoo and explore the city of Lima in our novel Llama en Lima. We are also using Padlet to track our weekly practice.

In Spanish 4 and 5, students are well into their stories: The Garcia Family celebrates The Day of the Dead, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The focus is on acquiring new vocabulary through the use of AIM and using the target language in class as much as possible.

In Mandarin 7, we have been learning about Chinese Pinyin, Introduction and Chinese culture Moon Festival. We have also started to learn the AIM story Wǒ zěnme qù nàlǐ? 我怎么去那里？How do I get there?

In Mandarin 6, we have been learning about Chinese Pinyin and Chinese culture, including the Moon Festival. We have also started to learn the AIM story “Wǒ de gǒu zài nǎlǐ? 我的狗在哪里？Where is my dog?”

In Mandarin 4 and 5, students began the year by learning about Mid Autumn Festival. Since then, they have been working on their pronunciation by learning Pinyin, which will help facilitate their AIM story reading. Students are continuing to build their vocabulary and expressing their ideas through gestures.

Primary Grades 
In Spanish, French, and Mandarin, we have been working on speaking only the target language in the classroom, and are building vocabulary for our class stories. Thank you to the many grades 2 and 3 families who downloaded the Quizlet app. This is an excellent tool to practice vocabulary, both in the classroom and at home. 

JK/K
In Languages, we have been learning about different cultural celebrations. JK and kindergarten students learned about the Moon Festival in Mandarin and the Spanish celebration El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). In French, students are learning how to introduce themselves and are beginning to count.