Elementary

Elementary Spanish Introductory Level

.5 Credits
9-10 weeks
Open

Elementary Spanish is an exploratory introduction to the Spanish culture and language. Students will learn the target language in a story-based framework, providing a fun and positive experience within the learning. Each lesson is taught through an engaging, authentic story that gives students an opportunity to see and hear the language in context. Students will learn foundational skills in listening and speaking in the early levels, and will add Spanish literacy skills beginning in Level 2. The courses provide audio and visual stimuli for all learning types and ample opportunities to hear, speak, read, write, and record the language. This suite also provides strategically-based reviews of past learning. Each course is built on connections to an authentic culture of a specific Spanish-speaking region through the arts, celebrations, and traditions of the culture, leading students on the path to becoming global citizens. Courses provide a natural progression of learning through the following language acquisition stages:

  • Preproduction
  • Early Production
  • Speech emergence
  • Intermediate fluency

Please view the Elementary Parents Guide for Grades K-2 with guidance on helping your student transition to online learning and thrive at VLACS.

Competencies

Comparisons, Counting, and Spanish Vocabulary for Transportation and Food

I can interpret modes of transportation in Spanish. I can interpret food preferences in Spanish. I can interpret numbers one to ten in Spanish. I can compare big and small animals in Spanish.

Conversational Phrases and Spanish Vocabulary for Animals, Colors and Family

I can interpret conversational phrases used in greetings in Spanish. I can identify farm animals of Latin American countries in Spanish. I can identify colors in Spanish. I can identify family members in Spanish.

Greetings and Spanish Vocabulary for Shapes, Facial Features and Activities

I can identify activities involving friends in Spanish. I can interpret shapes in Spanish. I can interpret greetings for day and night in Spanish. I can interpret the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in Spanish. I can identify the parts of the face in Spanish.

Spanish Vocabulary for Body Parts, School Supplies, Celebrations and Bedroom

I can interpret parts of the body in Spanish. I can interpret school supplies in Spanish. I can identify the parts of a birthday celebration in Spanish. I can interpret items in a bedroom in Spanish.

Major Topics and Concepts

Module One

  • Mexican culture
  • Greetings, introductions, and goodbye
  • Farm animals
  • Family and Pets

Module Two

  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Numbers 1–10
  • Nursery rhyme: La araña pequeñita
  • Small and big

Module Three

  • Body parts
  • School supplies
  • Mexican celebrations
  • My bedroom

Module Four

  • Activities with friends
  • Shapes
  • Sun, moon, and stars
  • Parts of head and face
  • The life and art of Frida Kahlo

Course Materials

All levels of Spanish require independent reading skills. We recommend students begin Spanish sometime during grades 2 or 3, depending on their reading level. Those who are not yet reading independently can take the course, provided an adult is available to read material to the student.

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students and families are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers because, when teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.

Required Materials – Please view the list of materials before registering.

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