Spanish  

iBienvenidos! Welcome to Spanish! 

World Language Program Mission Statement: Our mission is to prepare all students to communicate in another language, to interact with other cultures, and to respect all God's people.

World Language Program Standards

Communication - communicate in languages other than English  

Cultures - gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures

Connections - connect with other disciplines and acquire information

Comparisons- develop insight into the nature of language and culture

Communities - participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world

 

World Language: Spanish 

Program Description 

The goal of the World Language Program is to provide all students with an introduction to a second language and its culture. The study of the Spanish language and culture enables students to interact and communicate with others, while gaining a greater understanding and respect for the cultural perspectives, practices, and products of different countries.

At St.Mary's Catholic School, the World Language Program includes grades, PreK-8th. Kindergarten through 4th grade meet once per week. Many of the topics studied and reviewed each year are numbers, colors, the days of the week, the months of the year, weather, seasons, family, parts of the body, clothing, geography, classroom objects, foods, occupations and Hispanic holidays. The children participate in a variety of activities during classes including conversations, vocabulary, singing, dancing, hands-on projects, and the study of Hispanic cultures. The program in grades 5th through 8th meet twice per week. All of the topics above are studied with a greater emphasis on geography, culture, verb usage, grammar, parts of speech and conjugation of verbs.

Some of the cultures studied include Mexico's geography and cultural practices, the history of the Aztec, Inca, and Mayan Indians, and the geography and customs of Spain. Central and South America are also studied in the upper grades. In addition, students compare and study the significance of many of the Hispanic holidays such as Mexican Independence Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Day of the Dead, and December holidays - with emphasis on Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego. The year is ended with Cinco de Mayo activities.

- Mrs. Sjostedt, Spanish Teacher