I was raised in Texas. As a matter of fact, for the first thirty years of my life I lived in parts of Texas where speaking Spanish (or at least understanding it) was almost mandatory. Nevertheless, I chose to study French during all of my years in high school and college. Fast forwarding to the present, we now live in Tennessee. Again, speaking and understanding Spanish in the area we live in is extremely helpful. Therefore, I want my children to know Spanish as their second language. We have reviewed Spanish curricula many times before; however, Spanish for You is different than any curriculum we have used. We have been using the Estaciones package for grades 7-8.
Spanish for You has been a very refreshing change of pace for us in our Spanish studies. Why do I say that? First of all, it is comparatively much less expensive than many Spanish curricula. Available through the Spanish for You website, an entire package, containing material for grades 3-8, is $64.95. A package containing just the material for a specific grade level (3-4, 5-6, or 7-8) is only $39.95. Second, the packages are theme-based. We have been using Estaciones (the seasons). Also available is Fiestas and coming soon is Viajes (travels). These theme-based packages contain 24-30 weeks of lessons, worksheets, activities, games, flashcards, and mp3 recordings. Third, with my seventh grader, she has been able to complete her lessons virtually independently and then discuss with me what she has been learning. Finally, with each of the lessons in the package, my daughter has been exposed to many, many new vocabulary words, multiple different verbs, and grammar. The lessons, in a way, remind me of the immersion approach to learning a language. From the beginning of the lessons in the text and the worksheets, students are speaking and reading Spanish. There is translation provided as new words are introduced, but, only when they are introduced.
My daughter has really been enjoying Spanish for You. She had previously taken a Spanish introduction class at a co-op, but had not retained much beyond some basic vocabulary. By spending 10-30 minutes, four days a week, on Spanish for You she is retaining and is using her Spanish skills with much more confidence. I take a little time before the beginning of each week to print off the worksheets she will need for the week and to write out her assignments. Those assignments typically include reading / listening to the lesson, completing a worksheet, and reviewing with either flashcards or by playing a game. I love how the lesson guide is laid out for me. It is laid out by week and day, so there is very little work for me to do beyond printing worksheets. It is very easy to follow. ***As a major plus, I was able to transfer the audio files to her Itunes so that they are on her IPod. This has made her Spanish studies extremely portable. All of her materials are kept in a binder and she is able to complete her lessons and practice wherever we may be.*** So far, we are up to week 6 which has us beginning lesson 2. Lesson 1 has been a general study about the calendar and the weather. With the bi-polar weather we have been having around here this Spring, Caitlyn has been able to use virtually all of the vocabulary she has been learning. Lesson 2, which she is just beginning, covers The Fall and School. Lesson 3 will cover The Winter, lesson 4 will cover The Spring, and lesson 5 will cover The Summer. You can even view some sample pages, here. Since we are schooling over the summer this year, I look for her to complete Estaciones before we start a new school year in September. She will be in a more difficult Spanish class at co-op in the fall, and I think her experience with Estaciones will give her a huge advantage in the class.
My crewmates on the Schoolhouse Review Crew have been using and reviewing both the Estaciones package and the Fiestas package. To see what they thought about Spanish for You, click on the graphic below.



No comments:
Post a Comment