Class #22--6th Grade Spanish

Monday, November 22, 10:15 A.M. 6th Grade Spanish Class. Class #22 on my “50 Classes or Bust!” expedition. It has been almost two weeks since I have observed a class! It is amazing how busy the school day and my schedule can be, but, as the saying goes, “Busy is good.” I am going to attempt a rare two observations today, with both being foreign language classes. As I walk into Room 305, I hear the sounds of another language. Indeed, it is Senora Sachar giving opening instructions, I think, to her class. I say “I think” because I do not speak Spanish and do not understand the dialogue! Interestingly, the fact that I do not understand Spanish allows me to focus on the mechanics of the class rather than on the content being taught. I am impressed with how Senora Sachar orchestrates her class, which is conducted almost entirely in Spanish. She makes sure to involve every student on the class, by calling on them and/or having them come up to the SmartBoard and circle and then translate a verb in the story. “More hands up,” she exhorts in Spanish at one point, even though several hands are already in air. Senora wants all of the students to be engaged and actively participating, and they respond to her dynamic style. Frequently, Senora gesticulates to help explain her comments. About halfway through the period, the class listens to a Selena Gomez song (in Spanish), and the students have to write down all of the words they recognize. I am bouncing to the song’s upbeat tempo as I type this! At the end of the song, Senora states, "I don't expect you to recognize all of the words. She has a different accent than what you are used to. It is important that you hear different accents during the course of the year." In the final few minutes of class, the students take a quiz, which consists of 20 matching questions (verbs), and 10 English to Spanish vocabulary translations. For an enthusiastic, productive class, I say "Gracias" to Senora and her students!