Primary Spanish Curriculum
The primary students work mainly on learning basic vocabulary: colors, numbers, animals, food, and clothing, as well as botany terms (i.e., parts of a plant). The program includes learning how to respond to greetings and other simple questions using hand puppets or a partner. Throughout the program, students gain knowledge about Mexico, the Aztecs, the Mayans, and many aspects of Hispanic and Latin culture, architecture, and tradition. The students also sing songs and play games in Spanish.
Lower Elementary Spanish Curriculum
The lower elementary students continue learning basic vocabulary, including days of the week and months of the year, plus terms to describe the life cycle of a butterfly. In grammar studies they distinguish articles, nouns, and adjectives. The students are able to recognize words in Spanish and write simple sentences. They develop these skills using Montessori and other didactic materials. They continue to learn and practice conversational work with puppets and partners.
Children at work in a JMS Spanish session. ©2007 The Judson Montessori School. All rights reserved.
Upper Elementary and Middle School Spanish Curriculum
The students’ work inside the classroom is developed and carefully planned to apply the four skills needed to learn a new language: writing, listening, speaking, and reading. Many different media are used: Montessori materials, songs, newspapers, magazines, and short stories, as well as listening, reading, and speaking games. The Spanish classes aim to expand the students’ vocabulary and grammar skills and also to provide cultural learning experiences (e.g., history of the Aztecs, Day of the Dead, history of Latin countries).
For vocabulary development, lessons build on earlier work and include terms used in sports and in describing people. Lessons on parts of speech cover articles, nouns, and verbs. Students also learn how to ask questions when meeting people, how to write a letter to a friend, and how to compose a recipe—in Spanish.
Native Speakers Spanish Curriculum
JMS Spanish teachers strive to ensure that native speakers of Spanish maintain a continuous connection with the history, culture, and customs of Mexico, with the objective of retaining their heritage. Students who are already fluent in Spanish have abundant opportunities to improve and practice Spanish grammar and vocabulary.
In the classes native speakers use: local newspapers in Spanish; books from the Secretary of Public Education in Mexico; photographs and movies based on Mexican history and culture; and magazines pertaining to Mexico City. They also sing songs in Spanish.
