Spanish Immersion Program
Spanish immersion students study Spanish Language Arts, Social Studies and Science (see Science and Social Studies curriculum description) in Spanish for Grades 6, 7, and 8.
Spanish Language Arts
The Spanish Language Arts program provides immersion students with opportunities to refine their listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Spanish. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of cultural practices and perspectives.
The Spanish Language Arts program requires that students follow a process that includes:
1. Gathering information
2. Engaging in projects
3. Working in small groups
4. Giving oral presentations
5. Reflecting on and self-assessing work
In Grade 6 students will:
- Engage in conversations which cover different topics.
- Employ appropriate reading strategies for comprehension.
- Read for recreation and participate in literature groups.
- Write in different genres.
- Compare and contrast language, lifestyles, and values of the target culture with his/her own.
- Recognize that cultural diversity is an integral feature of society.
In Grade 7 students will:
- Engage in conversations which cover a wide range of topics.
- Employ appropriate reading strategies for comprehension.
- Read for recreation and participate in literature groups.
- Write in different genres.
- Synthesize information through writing.
- Relate language study to experiences in other academic and non-academic areas.
- Develop basic understanding of the influence of the Hispanic culture on the American heritage.
- Acquire information about the Hispanic culture through authentic sources.
In Grade 8 students will:
- Understand complex discourse with a variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary.
- Engage in conversations which cover a wide range of topics.
- Employ appropriate reading strategies for comprehension.
- Read for information and recreation.
- Relate readings to historical and cultural influences.
- Develop expository writing.
- Be expected to use the target language outside the classroom.
- Acquire information about the traditions in different countries where the target language is spoken.
Note: This course carries high school credit for students enrolled in Grades 7 and 8 and will apply to high school graduation requirements. Please see page 56 for more information.
Montessori
The Montessori Middle School Program at Gunston promotes interdisciplinary learning experiences through blocks of time in multi-age classrooms. Grade 6 and 7 students learn English Language Arts, Science, Math, and History in the Montessori community, while electives are taught by teachers in the traditional Gunston program. Grade 8 Montessori students transition to traditional classes for Geography and Math while staying in the Montessori program for Science and English.
In addition to academics, the program is designed to support students’ academic, physical, social, and emotional development. These domains are inseparable in a Montessori education. The Montessori middle years’ program is designed to support the growth of effective communication, compassion and care for others and the environment, skills in conflict resolution, openness to new experiences, and a warm, caring, positive outlook on life. As middle grade students strive for independence and autonomy, the classroom offers freedom of choice in an atmosphere of social responsibility and self-discipline. Teachers act as mentors and guides to encouraging inquiry, creative problem solving, cooperation, and social interaction through learning.