Evansville eighth-graders share Spanish lessons via books
EVANSVILLE — More than 100 eighth-graders spread across the playground outside Levi Leonard Elementary School on Friday to present a handmade beginning Spanish book to their first-grade partners.
After first-grader Olivia Christensen read her book a couple of times to J.C. McKenna middle-schooler Kayleigh Jimenez, the eighth-grader started quizzing her young partner.
“What does ‘gerbo’ mean?” Kayleigh asked, smiling and squirming until Olivia turned the book around to reveal a drawing of a gerbil.
Similar scenes unfolded around the playground as 122 first-graders received their custom-made Spanish book to keep.
“It’s fantastic,” Kayleigh said of her book.
This marks the third year McKenna Middle School Spanish teacher Kelly Fanta Stroik has conducted the project.
Three weeks ago, eighth-graders met their first-grade partners and filled out questionnaires to help tailor the book to the students’ interests, she said. Then it was up to the eighth-graders to turn a white hardcover book filled with blank pages into a Spanish vocabulary book based on themes such as animals or colors.
One set of partners, for example, participates in karate at the same place, Fanta Stroik said. Their book centered on that common interest.
Seventh- and eighth-graders are required to take Spanish, so by now the eighth-graders have completed Spanish 1, Fanta Stroik said. The goal is to get younger students excited about the language and introduce them to Spanish earlier, she said.
First-grader Brianna Grover was eager to receive her “Mi libro de espanol” book from her partner, Heather Messling.
“Since she really likes Dr. Seuss, so I put in ‘Cat in the Hat,’” Heather explained.
Heather also cut pieces of felt in the shape of clothing items so Brianna could dress up the Cat in the Hat as she learned the Spanish word for each item.
“Falda” is the word for skirt, Heather told Brianna as she found an orange-shaped skirt in the pile of felt clothes.
“It was a lot of fun,” Heather said. “It meant a lot to us knowing that we were going to make books for the first-graders and help them learn stuff.”
May 29, 2012 at 10:09 a.m.
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What a great idea! I love hearing about the older students interacting with the younger ones.
And, Purmaid, you're correct in saying that learning a second language as a young child is easier because they are developing their native language skills as well. But, the ability to learn another language is not impossible as an older student, the ability is still there!! My parents went to Spain while in their 50's (now in their 80's), took a class at UW and still are able to recall many of the survival words they learned over 30 years ago.
Good job teacher and students of McKenna Middle School!!
May 27, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.
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"From the Heart" - The learning of a second language actually strengthens a person's knowledge of their primary language. People who are bilingual also have far better options for working in a global economy, often at a higher rate of pay. The only negative I can see is that they are starting much too late in teaching a second language. The ability to master a new language easily is greatest during the toddler through early elementary school age. This ability tapers off rapidly thereafter.
May 27, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.
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Why is tax money being wasted on Spanish lessons? Are you also teaching German, Swedish, Italian, etc? This is America! Maybe children should learn their own English better.What a stupid idea!
May 26, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.
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A positive story is always appreciated
May 26, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.
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A positive story is always appreciated
May 26, 2012 at 5:01 p.m.
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Nice try Gina. But why do you not focus on the real issues in Evansville. You always pick the fluff. Your editor told us that you do not have the time to cover the school board meetings or city meetings but you cover this? Why do you cover Evansville's declining enrollment numbers? Why do you not cover all the kids who are school age that live in Evansville but do not go to school there. There parents either home school or transport them else where. Why do not cover the school board trying to rescind lay off notices when there still is no money. Why do you not cover administration at the high school violating civil rights laws? No you cover fluff. Great for the little kids. But much more serious issues going on right now at our schools. But you never , ever cover the hard issues. Why is that?
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