One more time, I have the opportunity to learn, and to teach my children Spanish. Let me just tell you now that I think this program might actually work for us!
Spanish for You! is a full-year Spanish curriculum built around a theme, instead of grade levels. It’s actually designed in a way that I can use it with all of my children at the same time. Created by Spanish teacher and author, Debbie Annett, for grades 3 – 8, it is concise and simple to use. Currently, there are two themes available: Fiestas – Celebrations, and Estaciones – Seasons. Another theme, Viajes – Travels, is expected this summer. Our study is based on Estaciones – Seasons. We enjoy each of the four seasons, the outdoors, and the dramatic weather changes we sometimes experience; so this seemed a perfect place for us to begin!
Curriculum includes:
Soft-bound text, Parent/Teacher Guide
Lesson Guides for Grades 3 – 8 in PDF format
MP3 audio download for each Lesson
Printable worksheets in PDF format
Flashcards, to download and print
and
Audio download of the entire book, recorded by a native speaker
This course is set up for 30 minutes or less a day, 4 days a week, consistently; and most importantly, following the specified order of the lessons. However, the author encourages you to have fun, don’t stress, and modify your schedule if needed. The Lesson Guides include clear instructions and a complete plan for the entire curriculum.
There really isn’t a lot of prep work for Estaciones. I downloaded the files for the audio, worksheets, etc. and then I read a few pages of the text and Lesson Guides to familiarize myself with the course. The Lesson Guides tell you what audio you’ll need to listen to, what worksheets you’ll need to print; and which flashcards to use for each lesson. I chose to print mine all at one time and put them in folders. I also printed all of the flashcards.
The flashcards are not my favorite. Ms. Annett even says that you might want to “use your computer to make cool flashcards.” I haven’t figured out how to do that, yet; so I used the flashcards she includes with the curriculum. Making my own flashcards in this way was time consuming. Each sheet of flashcards must be printed and cut apart. They’re black and white sketches, so we decided to color them. Then we glued them to 3″x 5″ cards, giving me a place to write the Spanish/English words that correspond to each drawing. The biggest issue for me is that, since I don’t already speak Spanish, it seems to take forever and a day to write the phonetic pronunciation of the word; so I know whether or not my student is pronouncing it correctly. I’m sure I’ll get quicker as I learn, but presently I have to refer to the guide numerous times for each word. I’d like to be able to print the flashcards in color, and I’d like the Spanish word and pronunciation set up to print on the reverse side; or separately, so I could cut it out and glue it to the back of the card.
Our first week we followed the Lesson Guides as they are set up. We moved along, but didn’t feel like we retained much by the end of the week; so we chose to use the author’s modified schedule suggestion. Our Day 1 is covered on Monday and Tuesday. Day 2 on Wednesday and Thursday; and Friday we review. Day 3 is covered Monday and Tuesday of the second week, with Day 4 on Wednesday and Thursday. Again, Friday is a great day for review and testing. The Audio files are an invaluable assistance. The Teacher’s Text includes Ideas for Using Flashcards, and a variety of Games and Activities that we use for lessons and review. Playing Charades is one of our favorites! Flashcards are mixed up and stacked in a pile. A card is chosen from the top of the stack, and acted out. The correct word or phrase must be shouted in Spanish to win! It’s noisy, but great fun! So, we are spreading one week’s worth of instruction over two weeks of time; but I think we’re getting it and keeping it. It is the easiest Spanish curriculum I’ve ever used!
We are still in Lesson 1, but we have covered a lot of material —
- The Months of the Year
- The Days of the Week
- Commands: Look, Write; Draw
- Weather Conditions: Cold, Hot, Windy, etc.
- Verb Conjugation
- and Grammar
We are learning to speak, hear, read and write Spanish!
A complete packaged curriculum for all grades, 3 – 8 can be purchased for $64.95. Complete, select packages for grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 are $39.95 each. You can find all of the available themes on the Spanish for You! website, under the Purchase Curriculum tab on the left. If you’re still not sure if this curriculum will work for your family, please take some time to read the reviews written by my Crew mates. Just click on the banner and follow the link below.
Bendición,
Disclaimer* I received a complete package curriculum of Spanish for You! theme Estaciones, in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments. I enjoy hearing from you!
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