THE WORLD WONDERS
Spanish, beauty, and the natural world.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
In this class, we will explore the world's most record-breaking, breathtaking wonders: the hottest volcanoes, the tallest and widest waterfalls, driest deserts, darkest caves, or densest forests. While working thematically and traveling the globe each week, students will acquire both practical vocabulary and a sense of wonder at the profound beauty of our planet. We will ask ourselves the questions, how can we enjoy these places? How can we protect them?
INQUIRY-BASED VOCABULARY BUILDING
Each week the children will open a balloon containing a question about one of the world's record-breaking sites (i.e. "What is the name of the world's hottest volcano?") This question will be answered throughout the course of the class and is designed to foster intrigue and attention, help the children learn to formulate questions in Spanish and will give us a weekly discipline to expand both functional and descriptive vocabulary. The class is conducted in Spanish and also includes weekly exposure to Spanish grammar and phonics.
NOTEBOOKS AND DICTATIONS
Each class the children will listen to the week's question and write down what they hear in a notebook without visual clues. This exercise is highly effective in help children to become comfortable with error (a critical component of language learning) and begin to play close attention to the predictable Spanish sound system. Younger children who are not yet comfortable writing independently will spend the time drawing the wonder of the week, while listening to and absorbing the sung repetition of the secret message.
PIEDRAS Y CONCHAS: VERBAL PARTICIPATION
This class will place a weekly emphasis on speaking, describing, and expressing opinions. To help elicit responses from the children, during each session they will be able to earn our classroom currency: "piedras" (pebbles) or "conchas" (shells) for speaking attempts. Piedras or conchas earned will occasionally allow them to "purchase" natural treasures or additional materials for use during the art portion of the class.
ART AND GAMES IN SPANISH!
During each class we engage in both a topic-relevant art/craft project and a game, both of which are designed to foster language acquisition. Each game requires the repetition of the week's target vocabulary as part of the play. The relaxed and focused time provides us with an ideal opening for natural vocabulary acquisition.
DAYS, TIMES & LOCATION
Wednesdays, 3:35 or 4:40, Palo Alto (near Gamble Gardens). These classes are full until May 2020.
AGES
5-10 years old
CLASS LENGTH
50 minutes
COMMITMENT
This class requires a full, academic year commitment from September through May.
ENROLLMENT OR QUESTIONS
Please contact us to find out if a space is available for your child.
In this class, we will explore the world's most record-breaking, breathtaking wonders: the hottest volcanoes, the tallest and widest waterfalls, driest deserts, darkest caves, or densest forests. While working thematically and traveling the globe each week, students will acquire both practical vocabulary and a sense of wonder at the profound beauty of our planet. We will ask ourselves the questions, how can we enjoy these places? How can we protect them?
INQUIRY-BASED VOCABULARY BUILDING
Each week the children will open a balloon containing a question about one of the world's record-breaking sites (i.e. "What is the name of the world's hottest volcano?") This question will be answered throughout the course of the class and is designed to foster intrigue and attention, help the children learn to formulate questions in Spanish and will give us a weekly discipline to expand both functional and descriptive vocabulary. The class is conducted in Spanish and also includes weekly exposure to Spanish grammar and phonics.
NOTEBOOKS AND DICTATIONS
Each class the children will listen to the week's question and write down what they hear in a notebook without visual clues. This exercise is highly effective in help children to become comfortable with error (a critical component of language learning) and begin to play close attention to the predictable Spanish sound system. Younger children who are not yet comfortable writing independently will spend the time drawing the wonder of the week, while listening to and absorbing the sung repetition of the secret message.
PIEDRAS Y CONCHAS: VERBAL PARTICIPATION
This class will place a weekly emphasis on speaking, describing, and expressing opinions. To help elicit responses from the children, during each session they will be able to earn our classroom currency: "piedras" (pebbles) or "conchas" (shells) for speaking attempts. Piedras or conchas earned will occasionally allow them to "purchase" natural treasures or additional materials for use during the art portion of the class.
ART AND GAMES IN SPANISH!
During each class we engage in both a topic-relevant art/craft project and a game, both of which are designed to foster language acquisition. Each game requires the repetition of the week's target vocabulary as part of the play. The relaxed and focused time provides us with an ideal opening for natural vocabulary acquisition.
DAYS, TIMES & LOCATION
Wednesdays, 3:35 or 4:40, Palo Alto (near Gamble Gardens). These classes are full until May 2020.
AGES
5-10 years old
CLASS LENGTH
50 minutes
COMMITMENT
This class requires a full, academic year commitment from September through May.
ENROLLMENT OR QUESTIONS
Please contact us to find out if a space is available for your child.