Spanish Program
In today’s global society it is essential that students have a better understanding of other world cultures. United States students should be proficient in a second language, as their counterparts from foreign countries, to communicate and understand and live together cohesively in society. It has been proven that it is easier to learn a second language early in ones educational career. The intensity of a modern language course taught at the elementary level allows students to proficiency into second year Spanish at the high school level and even encourage students to learn a third language.
PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, grades 1 & 2:
MUZZY, originally developed by the BBC, is the most respected world language course for beginners and young learners in the world. MUZZY is a multi-year program that offers opportunities for interaction and repetition – the key to successful language acquisition. Students love to hear scenes played over and over, and to sing along and act them out!
MUZZY, originally developed by the BBC, is the most respected world language course for beginners and young learners in the world. MUZZY is a multi-year program that offers opportunities for interaction and repetition – the key to successful language acquisition. Students love to hear scenes played over and over, and to sing along and act them out!
MUZZY employs a natural immersion approach, surrounding learners with visual, aural and contextual language, modeled on the way we all learned our first language. Throughout the stories, the spiraling method presents vocabulary and grammar in new contexts. MUZZY’s multi-sensory, multi-layered communication works powerfully with different levels and learning styles – even kinesthetic, musical and logical/mathematical learners.
Animated characters and engaging music and stories surround the viewer with a second language. New vocabulary and grammar are learned in the context of a suspenseful and humorous dramatic story.
“Our students still beg for MUZZY when they are in the eighth grade”, says Mrs. Cynthia Mayer, Spanish Teacher. Mayer continues, “MUZZY comes as close as possible to creating a natural experience with a second language.”
Grades 2, 3, & 4:
There are three levels of Learning Systems specifically designed for the lower elementary grades. The first system develops listening comprehension and speaking proficiency in basic expressions essential for everyday communication. The second system continues developing listening and speaking skills and teaches the sound system, leading to simple reading. The third learning system refines and further develops listening and speaking skills, reinforces and improves reading skills, and introduces writing skills. Motivating visual aids, games, songs, and puppets foster spontaneous, natural, and meaningful communication.
Grades 5, 6, 7, & 8:
At these levels, the learning systems program develops listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Through a Natural Approach and the Total Physical Response (TPR) activities, students learn a new language and culture. The students comprehend basic vocabulary structures and expressions essential for everyday communication. They respond to simple language structures. Students continue into simple reading while continuing their development of listening and speaking skills. The children also begin to associate the spoken with the written word. In their final two years, the students learn basic writing skills. This enhances the students English grammar knowledge. Various texts are used according to the students’ accomplishments.
