Diane
- Reviewed on Wednesday, July 6, 2005
- Grades Used: K-6
- Dates used: 2004-2005
I have very mixed feelings about this curriculum.
Pros: It allowed for different learning styles. There was the video, the workbook pages, and projects. It allowed for a lot of repitition. I liked that it included information about Mexico in level I and the Spain in level II. The kids enjoyed it.
Cons: After using this curriculum for two years, my kids just aren't retaining any of the information.
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Marsha
- Reviewed on Sunday, April 3, 2005
- Grades Used: 1st
- Dates used: 2005
I speak Spanish and did not find this Curriculum kid friendly at all!
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Janet
- Reviewed on Friday, March 5, 2004
- Grades Used: K-6
- Dates used: 2003-2004
We started this curriculum in the middle of the fall, and it's my children's favorite subject! My children are 4, 6, an 7, and they have all enjoyed and learned from this. Sr. Gamache teaches on video with a group of students participating. He includes fun songs to teach vocabulary (with motions!), puppet shows to teach Mexican history, and lots of crafts and cooking activities to teach about Mexican culture (Level II focuses on Spain). He is careful to include conversation topics that are interesting to children (colors, age, animals, birthdays). The practice cassette tape is essential--my kids want to listen to it everytime we get in the car! Everything you need for all the crafts is included (except a shoe box). I ordered a student packet for my 4-year-old so we would have the craft items, but she doesn't use the workbook at all. My kindergartener has trouble with it also, as it is written practice--it's hard to learn to read and write Spanish when you're just learning English! My 1st grader reads very well, though, and the workbook is not too hard for her, and it does give them some experience with how Spanish is written. Spanish is obviously a secular subject, but I appreciate how Sr. Gamache has slipped in references to Christ (how the Aztecs worshipped false gods before knowing about Jesu Cristo). It's not a cheap curriculum, but I think it's well worth it. I think even older elementary students would enjoy it, but it's an introduction--getting students familiar and interested, but Level I does not include grammar or verb tenses. I have not seen Level II or III yet, but I highly recommend this program so far!
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Tracy
- Reviewed on Friday, September 20, 2002
- Grades Used: K - 6th
- Dates used: still using it with 2nd and 5th graders
My kids love this program. It seemed a bit pricey when we first checked it out but we really love it. I am so glad we gave it a try. The program uses videos and you and your child watch the lesson on the video, which has Dale teaching a small class of students. You and your child chime in with the songs. The songs and activities really help your child learn basic Spanish. There are crafts and cooking projects too. Each kit comes with four 2-hour videos (you watch the same lesson several times until your child knows the Spanish being taught in that lesson), all craft materials, workbooks and activity sheets for 2 students, one cassette tape with the songs, and a teachers manual. Check it out at their website. We think the name is great because it really is a Fun Class. We highly recommend it!
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