Spanish

The goal of the Foreign Language Department at Keene Central School is to provide increasing competence in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural understanding of Spanish. Concurrent with the development of language skills, instruction provides cultural insight and understanding of other people, their land and geography, their history, and their thought and action.

At KCS, the comprehensive K-12 Spanish program introduces students early to the language and culture, allowing for a deeper understanding and higher proficiency at the upper levels.

The Department’s goal is to foster the children’s interest and enthusiasm for the Spanish language and its associated cultures beginning in kindergarten. In the lower grades, basic conversational Spanish is introduced by using songs, chants, story books, videos, games, puppets visuals, music, arts and crafts. In Grades 5/6, basic grammar and textbooks are introduced.

Students are prepared for the NYS Spanish Proficiency Exam which they take in 8th grade. Successful completion of this exam is required for high school graduation. After 8th grade, students may continue their study for two more years to be credited toward the Advanced Regents Diploma after completion of the NYS Regents Exam. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take Intermediate College Spanish through North Country Community College.

Collaborations

The Spanish Department works closely with KCS faculty and staff, particularly the Art and Music Departments, on collaborative projects that integrate Spanish language and culture into the curriculum.

Elementary

Kindergarten: “Letter of the Week”
Grade 3: Cultural Studies
Art Department: Various projects throughout the year
Music Department: A Spanish song is often included in concerts. Music teacher provides coaching when teaching songs in Spanish classes.
“Amigos”: Students Grades 5/6 meet with K/1 st Grade students for reading and activities

Middle School / High School

Music Department: One day residency of Sol y Canto, a Boston-based Latin music group.
Coordinate use of facility with Music Department for student performances.
Spring 2006 NYC Trip (Spanish & Art Departments)

School Sponsored Travel: Spanish (Multi-age)

Summer 2009 Spain

Spring 2006 Spanish & Art Trip to NYC: Spanish Art Museum (El Museo del Barrio), Spanish language play (El Repertorio Español), Spanish restaurants, UN, Empire State Building

Summer 2005 Spanish Trip to NYC: Metropolitan Museum of Art, UN, Spanish restaurants, Spanish language play

Summer 2003 Spain: Toured Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Torremolinos and Gibraltar

Spanish Night

Spanish Night is school-wide event providing students, parents, faculty, staff, volunteers and members of the community with an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic culture. It is an evening of student performances (in Spanish), music, dance, art and food. Held every other year, this event showcases what the students are studying in class. All students who are currently studying Spanish participate in Spanish Night.

Funding

The Spanish Department receives funding from the following foundations to support program costs:

CADAHEMARK Foundation
High Peaks Education Foundation

Why Our Children Should Study Foreign Languages

The study of foreign languages prepares today’s youth for tomorrow’s opportunities by supporting basic skills instruction, developing cross-cultural understanding and preparing our youth to participate in the world-wide workforce. Foreign language study yields many benefits.
Foreign language study has been shown to enhance listening skills and memory.
Studies have shown that children who learn a language before adolescence are much more likely to have native-like pronunciation.
Students of foreign languages score statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in English, e.g., higher SAT/ACT scores.
Detailed studies suggest that the mental processing skills required to do mathematical problems are also developed by language processing.
Foreign language learning enhances cognitive development and basic skills performance in elementary school children.
The National Commission on Excellence in Education states that “achieving proficiency in a foreign language takes from 4 to 6 years” and suggests that such study should begin in elementary school.
During elementary school years, children are open to ideas of global understanding. Study of foreign language and culture can serve as an important vehicle by which to expand their intercultural views.
Knowing a second language provides a competitive advantage in the workforce by opening additional job opportunities.

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	[Your browser does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. <br> However, you may visit <A href="http://www.keenecentralschool.org">the related document.</A>]>	Spanish The goal of the Foreign Language Department at Keene Central School is to provide increasing competence in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural understanding of Spanish. Concurrent with the development of language skills, instruction provides cultural insight and understanding of other people, their land and geography, their history, and their thought and action. At KCS, the comprehensive K-12 Spanish program introduces students early to the language and culture, allowing for a deeper understanding and higher proficiency at the upper levels. The Department’s goal is to foster the children’s interest and enthusiasm for the Spanish language and its associated cultures beginning in kindergarten. In the lower grades, basic conversational Spanish is introduced by using songs, chants, story books, videos, games, puppets visuals, music, arts and crafts. In Grades 5/6, basic grammar and textbooks are introduced. Students are prepared for the NYS Spanish Proficiency Exam which they take in 8th grade. Successful completion of this exam is required for high school graduation. After 8th grade, students may continue their study for two more years to be credited toward the Advanced Regents Diploma after completion of the NYS Regents Exam. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take Intermediate College Spanish through North Country Community College. Collaborations The Spanish Department works closely with KCS faculty and staff, particularly the Art and Music Departments, on collaborative projects that integrate Spanish language and culture into the curriculum. Elementary Kindergarten: “Letter of the Week” Grade 3: Cultural Studies Art Department: Various projects throughout the year Music Department: A Spanish song is often included in concerts. Music teacher provides coaching when teaching songs in Spanish classes. “Amigos”: Students Grades 5/6 meet with K/1 st Grade students for reading and activities Middle School / High School Music Department: One day residency of Sol y Canto, a Boston-based Latin music group. Coordinate use of facility with Music Department for student performances. Spring 2006 NYC Trip (Spanish & Art Departments) School Sponsored Travel: Spanish (Multi-age) Summer 2009 Spain Spring 2006 Spanish & Art Trip to NYC: Spanish Art Museum (El Museo del Barrio), Spanish language play (El Repertorio Español), Spanish restaurants, UN, Empire State Building Summer 2005 Spanish Trip to NYC: Metropolitan Museum of Art, UN, Spanish restaurants, Spanish language play Summer 2003 Spain: Toured Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Torremolinos and Gibraltar Spanish Night Spanish Night is school-wide event providing students, parents, faculty, staff, volunteers and members of the community with an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic culture. It is an evening of student performances (in Spanish), music, dance, art and food. Held every other year, this event showcases what the students are studying in class. All students who are currently studying Spanish participate in Spanish Night. Funding The Spanish Department receives funding from the following foundations to support program costs: CADAHEMARK Foundation High Peaks Education Foundation Why Our Children Should Study Foreign Languages The study of foreign languages prepares today’s youth for tomorrow’s opportunities by supporting basic skills instruction, developing cross-cultural understanding and preparing our youth to participate in the world-wide workforce. Foreign language study yields many benefits. Foreign language study has been shown to enhance listening skills and memory. Studies have shown that children who learn a language before adolescence are much more likely to have native-like pronunciation. Students of foreign languages score statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in English, e.g., higher SAT/ACT scores. Detailed studies suggest that the mental processing skills required to do mathematical problems are also developed by language processing. Foreign language learning enhances cognitive development and basic skills performance in elementary school children. The National Commission on Excellence in Education states that “achieving proficiency in a foreign language takes from 4 to 6 years” and suggests that such study should begin in elementary school. During elementary school years, children are open to ideas of global understanding. Study of foreign language and culture can serve as an important vehicle by which to expand their intercultural views. Knowing a second language provides a competitive advantage in the workforce by opening additional job opportunities.

Last Modified January 25, 2008