Highland Park Curriculum Info

5th Grade

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:49:14 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Fifth grade delves a little deeper into the areas of reading and writing. There is a greater focus on the components of basic grammar including parts of speech, figures of speech, sentence structure, and rules of syntax. We incorporate the six traits of writing into the writing process as a part of our writing program. Novel units, which include a variety of literary genres, are the basis of our reading program. We focus on literary elements, reading comprehension strategies, and other enrichment activities as parts of our novel studies.

• MATH- The Math curriculum includes extending the basic operations as well as comprehensive units on fractions, decimals/percents, geometry, algebra, measurement, problem solving and other mathematical elements. In Math the students use a variety of resources such as the Math In My World text, Investigations Math, and a Mathematical Problem Solving Guide. Journal reflection surrounding real life Math related topics encourage creative and abstract thought. In Fifth grade Math curriculum, we extend students' learning with such materials as BrainBoosting Math, Math-A-Logic, Critical Thinking Puzzles, and a daily facts review called At Home Math.

• SCIENCE- All students become budding young scientists as we apply the Scientific Process Skills and Scientific Method to our challenging studies of Earth, Physical and Life Sciences. Numerous hands-on activities and group discovery make our exploration of Science fun and enriching. Utilizing the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the Scientific Process Skills and Scientific Method, all 5th grade students are required to enter the Science Fair. We also extend our studies through guest speakers and the use of the FOSS kits. As a culminating activity to use and enrich curriculum that has been taught throughout the year, the students attend a 3 day, 2 night ‘Discovery Camp’ held at Camp Allen outside of Navasota, TX.

• SOCIAL STUDIES- The fifth grade social studies curriculum focuses on the United States. We explore all aspects of the United States including it’s history, geography, culture, government and economics, and the impact it has on our global community.

ENRICHMENT/EVENTS:

5th Grade incorporates many enrichment units in all subjects. In Language Arts there are novel studies, student made almanacs, and student generated newspapers. There is an in depth study of Greek Mythology with the enriching D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Mythology-Gods and Goddesses. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the National Greek Mythology exam. The Math enrichment units center around Problem Solving, Logic, Geometry studies, and Algebra. Students participate in the design of a Geometry In Our World book and Geometric sewing project made of angles and lines--complex, challenging and FUN! Science incorporates many hands on FOSS Science studies and a an enriching experience at our end of year DISCOVERY @ Camp Allen three day retreat. Science Fair at Highland Park is quite a sight to see as well! Character Counts is our enrichment unit in Social Studies along with what we celebrate in Family Groups involving 2nd through 5th grades.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Join us on Mt. Olympus as we perform various Greek Mythology plays as a close to our Greek Mythology unit. We will also design Greek mosaics, shields, and Greecian vases. Highland Park is transformed into a Greek temple!

GRADE LEVEL PHILOSOPHIES:

This We Believe ......
All students can learn.
Our primary responsibility is to the student.
Working as a team makes us stronger.
All deserve kindness and respect.
We are open to new ideas and concept.
Our parents and community are important.
Our friendly, welcoming staff set us apart.
Every day counts!!

4th Grade

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:52:36 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Fourth grade works to develop clear, organized, and creative writing skills. Much of our class time will be spent on the writing process - instruction, modeling, brainstorming, rough drafts, revising, editing, sharing, and publishing. Language Arts units will be built around novel sets and other strong literature selections. We will provide Balanced Literacy experiences and many enrichment activities for all students.

• MATH- Math units will be organized around the district’s texts, Investigations in Number, Data, and Space and Math in My World. Each teacher, however, will supplement these texts with a variety of appropriate activities and materials from such sources as Marilyn Burns, Lawrence Hall of Science at Berkeley and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

• SCIENCE- Science units will support our Texas studies as we focus on the scientific process, ecosystems and habitats, landforms and earth science, and the human body. All 4th graders will be required to participate in Highland Park's annual Science Fair. We will work through the Scientific Process in class, but individual projects will need to be completed at home. Teachers will cut back on other homework during this time period.

• SOCIAL STUDIES- Fourth grade has the privilege of sharing Texas with students. Our Social Studies units will focus on all aspects of Texas - history, geography, government, economics, cultures, and how people and the various regions of Texas have impacted one another.

ENRICHMENT/EVENTS:

The year will culminate with our Texas Pioneers enrichment unit in May. Pioneer Day includes a program followed by an old-fashioned Picnic Lunch, crafts display, special speakers and activities.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

In addition to the academic focus, we will concentrate on developing positive character traits and cooperative skills through our CHARACTER COUNTS! program and Bullyproof curriculum. We will have a zero tolerance policy for students hurting others. Students will exercise their good character by participating in community service projects. One special feature of our character program is the Veteran's Day Celebration in November.

GRADE LEVEL PHILOSOPHIES:

We teach because we love making a difference in our students’ lives. We teach Fourth Grade because it is a magical year - almost every adult can remember special times during their fourth grade year. Fourth graders are delightful because they are old enough to try many new things and young enough to still love their teachers! Some of these children will be in a hurry to “grow up” and lose their precious innocence, but we will do everything possible to help them remain children who can enjoy this wonderful time in their lives. Our long-range goal is to develop kind, capable, happy, responsible, well-educated young people with the desire to be life-long learners!

3rd Grade

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:52:23 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Our students are moving from “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn”. We group the students according to strengths and provide an enriching, skills based reading program. We believe reading and writing are connected and should be taught together.

• MATH- We also group our students for math. All students are offered enriching math activities in order to instill a love of math while learning the basic skills third graders are expected to know. Multiplication and division are two new skills third graders learn this year.

• SCIENCE- We believe science should be a hands-on learning experience for third graders. We use scientific processes as we explore the world around us. Our units include: matter, sound, Forces that change the Earth, electricity/magnetism, and Life Science.

• SOCIAL STUDIES- Community is our theme for third grade. Students learn about ancient and modern communities. Students learn about their own community and their place in it.

ENRICHMENT/EVENTS:

Middle Ages Unit- In third grade, a focus of study is “Communities”, both ancient and modern. In the first semester we quickly study Ancient Greece and Rome and then spend several weeks learning about Europe during the Middle Ages. In language arts we read Medieval-themed books like Robin Hood and King Arthur, in social studies we study feudalism, castles, towns and many other subjects. We have several art projects specific to the times, including a Medieval Coat of Arms. There is a performance for parents and demonstrations by outside experts. In the spring we learn about Austin and go on several field trips to learn about our great city. The trips include: Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Oakwood/State Cemeteries, and the Elisabet Ney Museum.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Third grade has a model special education program. In math, social studies and science our special education students are in the regular classroom receiving their instruction. For reading they receive instruction in their own language arts class. We offer Gifted and Talented services to those student in that program. There are also tutoring sessions for students in need of extra help in reading and math.

GRADE LEVEL PHILOSOPHIES:

We believe third grade is a year of big changes. Our students are becoming more responsible for their own learning and we want to give them the tools to become more independent. We feel that third grade is a safe place to start taking risks and encourage our students (and parents) to do so. We try to make school a fun and enriching experience, while giving students the skills third graders are expected to have. This is also the year of the first state tests, TAKS, and we prepare our students to not only pass, but to receive “Commended Performance” for their efforts.

2nd Grade

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:52:10 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Our reading focus is on fluency and independent reading. Second grade reads a variety of genres using novels and our basal reader. We assess reading with the TPRI and DRA tests. In English class, we practice writing in complete sentences and creating good paragraphs into stories/ research papers. As we edit, using the 6 Traits of Writing, the ideas are organized and conventions are taught. We also align our spelling and phonics to compliment our practice penmanship (print and cursive).

• MATH- Hands on experiences are the goal as we are having fun while learning 2nd grade math. We cover many problem solving strategies and higher-level thinking skills with logic and deductive reasoning. We also use our skip counting and math facts to help us solve math problems. Place value, adding and subtracting with trading is mastered.

• SCIENCE- Exploring through the FOSS kits, we study the life cycle of the butterfly and visit a butterfly farm. The Balance and Motion kit is a blast as we learn the difference between spinning and rolling. We also have a great time with the Air and Weather kit, learning about caves/bats and plants/natural resources. A visit to Innerspace Caverns wraps up this neat unit.

• SOCIAL STUDIES- We begin learning about ourselves with the “Character Counts” lessons and Family Groups. The maps, geography, and culture comparison units come together to create our Japan Fair. Finally we discuss economics and making healthy choices.

ENRICHMENT/EVENTS:

Second Grade enjoys many enrichment units and events. Our book reports vary between poetry presentations, fiction book marks, and a dress up biography speech. The math graphing project includes at least three types of graphs and questions to explain the data. Last but not least, we love our owl unit which links science, social studies, and language arts together as we learn about this unique bird.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Konnici-Wa! Welcome to Japan at Highland Park. As part of our extensive Japanese studies unit, we take a field trip to see a Japanese Botanical garden and bring in performances by Taiko drummers and Karate black belts. Join us as we build miniature Japanese gardens & explore origami - Each child learns the art of folding paper and learns to appreciate it's difficulty. We read books about Japan's culture and view their appreciation for nature. The kids create Haikus and pie tin Japanese gardens of their own. This allows each student to express their thoughts of nature. Tasting Japanese food and using chopsticks is always a hit. After comparing and contrasting the different cultures the unit ends with a Japanese play. The choral reading is wonderful as each child sings with the class in Japanese while dressed in kimonos and retells the story of The Spirt of the Shell. It is a memory for all who attend!

GRADE LEVEL PHILOSOPHIES:

Second Grade provides a supportive environment for all children to grow as independent learners with an enriched curriculum.

1st Grade

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:51:31 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Our focus is to take the emerging reader and build a confident, fluent, independent reader. Our reading program places a strong emphasis on phonics as a fundamental skill and promotes comprehension for reading mastery. The joy of reading as a lifelong activity is emphasized. In writing we learn to form letters correctly as well as learn to write complete sentences. We begin our writing journey by creating simple short sentences and end it in first grade by writing wonderful stories and publishing individual research books about sea animals.

• MATH- Math units revolve around hands-on learning using Math in My World. Our math curriculum includes experiences in computation (adding and subtracting to 18), place value, geometry,money, calendar work, telling time, estimation, graphing, fractions, measurement, and problem solving strategies to solve real world problems.

• SCIENCE- Exploring through the FOSS kits offers real hands-on opportunities and experiments that the students really enjoy. These units include (1) Wood, (2) Pebbles, Sand and Silt, (3) Solids and Liquids, (4) Organisms. Some other units of study are Cotton, Farm Animals, and Pandas. Our large culminating science unit focuses on Sea Animals.

• SOCIAL STUDIES- We start our year by learning about ourselves with our "Character Counts" unit. We study about Native Americans and Pilgrims. We have a fun election unit during election years and we learn a lot about famous Americans throughout the year. We keep up with daily current events by reading the newspaper.

ENRICHMENT:

First grade supplements many of our units with Weekly Readers and field trips throughout the year. In September we visit a cotton field to actually pick cotton as well as go to a cotton gin. A fun project at the end of our wood unit is constructing wood sculptures with the help of parent volunteers. We explore the arts by attending two performances at the Paramount Theater. After studying farm animals and hatching chicks we go to the Star of Texas Livestock Show. We do a pond study at the Austin Nature Center in conjunction with our unit on organisms. We also go to the Wild Basin Preserve when we study Pebbles, Sand, and Silt. We have a panda party at the end of our unit on Pandas. We end first grade with an educational visit to Sea World.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Our biggest unit of study in first grade is Ocean Animals. The students enjoy learning about many different marine animals. Some of the projects they create include computer generated ocean sea life pictures, individual research books, and special t-shirts to wear during the "Ocean Odyssey" performance where students recite poems and sing songs. We also wear the shirts to the big trip to Sea World.

PHILOSOPHIES:

Our philosophy as first grade teachers begins with understanding that each child is a unique and special individual. We work closely with each student to help him/her reach individual and classroom goals. We believe in a structured curriculum and classroom environment. We expect our social atmosphere to be healthy where everyone is aware of the feelings and needs of others.

Kindergarten

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:11:44 -0500

CURRICULUM:

• LANG ARTS- Scott Foresman-AISD reading adoption, Guided Reading. We use a combination of phonics and literature with a strong emphasis on phonemic awareness. Children read appropriately leveled books, write, and do different phonics activities daily.

• MATH- Investigations and Math Their Way Programs. Both programs are hands-on and emphasize experiential learning. Content covered includes: counting, number recognition, sorting, patterning, time, place value, money, addition, subtraction, measurement, and fractions

• SCIENCE- FOSS (Full Option Science) kits-Animals 2 x 2 and ladybugs, plant and animal life cycles, science in our world (water, weather, solar system)

• SOCIAL STUDIES- We cover many daily, weekly, and monthly events and also include: ourselves and our families, the world around us, and historical events and figures in our lives.

ENRICHMENT/EVENTS:

Along with all the school wide events, Kindergarten takes trips to various locations which are used to enhance our units of study. The neighborhood Fire Station is an October trip that emphasizes fire safety, fire prevention and our community workers. Plant life cycles are studied through pumpkins and a trip to the pumpkin patch where each child gets to pick a pumpkin that will be used as a tool for teaching math concepts before becoming a Halloween decoration. Crowe's Nest Farm is a non-profit facility that teaches children about farm, native Texas and some exotic animals. Spring often sends us to our neighborhood bakery for that ever popular bread unit. Russell's Bakery is within walking distance and offers a tour of the kitchen, a mini lesson involving yeast and of course a delicious treat. Our final trip is to Kiddie Acres. Its a wonderful way to celebrate the year and more importantly to celebrate childhood and all its fun.

Did we mention cooking, art, outdoor gross motor centers, dancing, singing, parent readers/volunteers, wood working, erupting volcanoes, fossil hunts, treasure maps and of course visits from Larry the Leprechaun in March? What fun ways to learn - especially when we can also read and write about them!

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Each Spring we study TEXAS with an emphasis on cowboys/cowgirls. We learn
about cowboy gear and uses, branding, trail drives, chuck wagons, dogies, horses,
cattle and more. We enjoy numerous guest speakers who enhance our cowboy
knowledge through songs and demonstrations. To culminate the unit, we have
a RODEO! The rodeo consists of nine different centers some of which are
branding, petting zoo, pony rides, haystack hunt and dancing. Parents greet
the children as they ride their stick horses to each event. The finale is having
everyone join in the Cotton-Eye-Joe. Yeehaw!

GRADE LEVEL PHILOSOPHIES:

We emphasize responsibility and independence. We believe all children learn best through hands-on learning and by experience. We teach both large group and small group and meet the needs of each individual learner.

Art

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:09:10 -0500

The Highland Park Elementary Art Program is designed to support district guidelines, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, art principles and elements, along with enhancing the confidence of the student through art production. Each student will gain the knowledge of art techniques, application and art appreciation through art history. Each grade level builds on the previous grade levels skills and knowledge with an introduction to more challenging concepts.

We believe all people & all children can create and feel good about creating artworks. Exposure to multiple material and medium will give the students tools to develop a passion for their own style of art.

ENRICHMENT:

Art projects to support grade level units:

Kinder Rodeo Unit: Cowboys and Cowgirls Paintings

First Grade Ocean Unit: Drawing and Painting Fish and Underwater Creatures

Second Grade Japanese Unit : Sumi-e Bamboo Painting

Third Grade Medieval Unit: Clay Gargoyles

Fourth Grade Pioneer Unit: Weaving

Fifth Grade Greek Unit: Greek Pottery Etchings

Music

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:54:57 -0500

Kindergarten – Kindergarten music is exciting! The students will memorize over 50 songs, rhymes, and musical games. Music concepts covered during this year are: steady beat vs. rhythm of the words, higher/lower, louder/softer, faster/slower, and same/different. Students will read and write iconic representations of one and two sounds on a beat.

First Grade – First grade students will continue to learn songs, rhymes and musical games. Music concepts covered during this year include reading and writing quarter note, quarter rest, and two eighth notes in standard notation and iconic notation. The students will also read and write melodic patterns in standard notation using the moveable do syllables of la, so and mi.

Second Grade – Second grade students will continue to learn songs and musical games from diverse cultures and genres. Music concepts covered during this year include reading and writing half note, half rest, and sixteenth notes in duple meter in standard and iconic notation. The students will also read and write melodic patterns in the do pentatonic scale (do, re, mi, so, la) in standard notation.

Third Grade – Third grade students will further their music literacy skills by playing the soprano recorder. They will take part in the rigorous Music Memory curriculum and will listen to sixteen pieces of classical music from various periods and genres.

Fourth Grade – Fourth grade students will enhance their music literacy skills playing the ukulele and continuing to play the soprano recorder. They will take part in the rigorous Music Memory curriculum and will listen to sixteen pieces of classical music from various periods and genres.

Fifth Grade – Fifth grade students will continue to develop their music literacy skills while playing the classical guitar and continuing to play the recorder. They will take part in the rigorous Music Memory curriculum and will listen to sixteen pieces of classical music from various periods and genres.

ENRICHMENT:

Music supports each grade level’s enrichment units. All music required for first grade’s Ocean Odyssey, second grade’s Japanese Fair, third grade’s Medieval Fair, fourth grade’s Veteran’s Day & Pioneer Days, and fifth grade’s Greek Plays are prepared in music class.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Scottie Singers is a choir open to all 4th and 5th grade students. The goal of Scottie Singers is to provide an enjoyable introduction to the joys of choral singing. This non-auditioning choir meets after school and performs several times during the school year. Fifth grade Scottie Singers with two years of experience are eligible to participate in All-City Honor Choir.

Highland Park participates in the All-City Music Memory Contest. 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students are eligible to try out for this rigorous and exciting contest.

PHILOSOPHY:

Children naturally like music. The more that they know about music, the more they like it. The job of the music teacher is to present music concepts in a sequential order that is both enjoyable and accessible to the student. Children are actively engaged in making music during class. Singing, playing, listening, reading, writing, moving to and with music are the core of the music curriculum.

Library

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:49:56 -0500

Each grade level has certain library skills they learn according to their grade level.
Some of these are:

• Care and treatment of books
• Choosing a book (reading level, interest)
• The arrangement of the library
• Use of the library online catalog
• The Dewey Decimal System
• Award Winning Authors and Illustrators
• Award Winning Books
• Genres of Literature
• Research and reference skills

ENRICHMENT:

• Texas Bluebonnet Reading Program for grades 3-5
• The Book Fair
• Author visits
• Children’s Book Week
• Read Across America: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, March 2

The library is the heart of the school. Our goal is to have a library where all are welcome, students, teachers, and parents. I hope to instill the love of books and reading!!

Our main goal is to provide a library collection that meets the needs of our students and our staff. The library supports the teachers and their classroom curriculum.

Technology

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:59:32 -0500

Highland Park has long been known for its emphasis on a strong Technology Program, & is proud to be ranked #1 in the district by the Austin ISD Technology Assessment given at the 5th Grade level, as can be seen in this chart. In addition to its Computer Lab, through which classes rotate weekly, classrooms typically have 4 student computers plus a teacher computer, & we have a mobile laptop cart of 20 laptops which are shared & utilized in classroom around the campus. The school maintains a full-time Technology Specialist on campus, whose duties can be summarized in the following categories:

IT Support - Network Administrator & on-site hardware, software, & infrastructure support for the campus' 250+ computers, 2 servers, 20+ printers, networking infrastructure, 25 wireless laptops & switches/hubs, & many assorted peripherals

Instructional Support - instruction & facilitation of implementation of technology-based curriculum and student projects; working with students & teachers in the computer lab & in their classrooms

District Coordination - serve as liaison between district initiatives & campus coordination implementation of these initiatives & issues (configure campus & software to district standards, upgrades, migrations/transitions, etc)

Webmaster - maintain the Highland Park website

Trainer - provide training for campus teachers & staff

Video Network Coordinator - manage closed-circuit cable video network, via which weekly Morning Videocasts are broadcast throughout the school, as well as instructional DVD’s, announcements, etc

CURRICULUM:

Our goal is to develop real-world technology skills with students & focus on the use of their computers as a self-enabling resource & productivity tool. Highland Park/AISD Technology Curriculum can be downloaded for each grade level below, for a close, in-depth look at your child’s grade level skills & requirements. Teachers integrate the technology skills into their regular & special classroom units of study across the curriculum, & typically will incorporate skills from the next grade level or two up as well:

Kindergarten.doc
1st Grade.doc
2nd Grade.doc
3rd Grade.doc
4th Grade.doc
5th Grade.doc

LEARNING.COM:

In addition, we use a state-adopted online curriculum for our students, which is aligned with our state technology standards, called “EasyTech learning.com”. An easy-to-read chart/overview of the curriculum can be seen here, & detailed curriculum info for each grade level can be downloaded below; again, we typically add content to each grade level from the next grade level or two up:

Kindergarten.xls
1st Grade.xls
2nd Grade.xls
3rd Grade.xls
4th Grade.xls
5th Grade.xls

PROJECTS & ENRICHMENT:

And finally, many of our students’ projects & enrichment activities can be seen here in the Kids Gallery of our website, & we would encourage you to look through as many of these as possible throughout the years listed to get an idea of some of the technology-based projects we have taken on here at Highland Park, where it’s cool to be a Computer Nerd!

PE

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:54:29 -0500

The purpose of Highland Park Physical Education is to provide ALL students with the knowledge, skills, and desire to live a healthy and physically active life. To that extent we follow the AISD Instructional Planning Guide, which follows the National PE Standards.

Coach Woods and Coach Watts present a “cafeteria of sports” for all students to learn and participate throughout the school year. There is a strong emphasis on Aerobic Fitness that goes along with the State Mandated Daily PE Law. Also the Lifetime Sports of Tennis, Golf, and Bowling, are taught to all K-5 students.

ENRICHMENT:

Each year we present the Highland Park Olympics for all K/5 students, and we finish the year with the Kristin Shelton Final Mile. The final mile is the conclusion of our daily recess heart workouts called Around The World Run/Walk. In the program the school accumulates 25,000 miles of running and walking at recess for the year.

REQUIREMENT FOR SUCCESS:

The most important recommendation for parents at Highland Park we can make is for you to please have your children wear a good pair of Athletic Running Shoes to school each day. AISD rules prohibit students from playing in PE Classes without the correct shoes. Crocks, dress shoes, boots, slippers, shoes that don't correctly fit on feet are never accepted and the student will have to sit out the period.

We look forward to keeping your children healthy at Highland Park!

Spanish

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:19:47 -0500

Highland Park parents and faculty established the Spanish program in the Spring of 1992, because of a belief in the linguistic and cultural value of studying a second language and of beginning the study in school as soon as possible. A Spanish exposure curriculum is offered at Highland Park for students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Students receive one 45-minute Spanish lesson per week.

GOALS:

Listening proficiency is developed through comprehending basic vocabulary and responding to basic commands.
Speaking skills are developed through activities like responding to simple questions, playing games, singing songs, and reciting poetry.
Content is relevant to students’ interests and experiences, including greetings, naming, colors, numbers, the alphabet, calendar, classroom objects, school personnel, body parts, animals, physical states, weather, seasons, clothing, and food.
Use Spanish as the primary language in the classroom.
Develope awareness of and sensitivity to the culture of Spanish-speaking people.

ENRICHMENT:

Kindergarten students make Mexican flags for el dieciséis de septiembre , hear a legend about corn, and make corn tortillas.
First Grade students make tissue paper flowers in honor of Día de los muertos and cascarones for Cinco de mayo.
Second Grade students hear a legend about chocolate, taste Mexican hot chocolate, study Pablo Picasso, and work together on a group art activity.
Third Grade students construct and discuss action skeletons for Día de los muertos and make tissue paper flowers for Cinco de mayo.
Fourth Grade students explore vocabulary relative to San Antonio’s Misión San José prior to a class visit there and make papel picado banners for Cinco de mayo.
Fifth Grade students hear a legend about chocolate, taste Mexican hot chocolate, study Pablo Picasso, and work together on a group art activity.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo are recognized all students, and Noche de Canciones is presented by Kindergarten and First Grade.

Our main purpose in teaching Spanish is for students to learn to love the Spanish language, to exercise mouth muscles to establish authentic sounds, and to learn to respect the culture of the Spanish-speaking world.