High School Students Help 2nd Graders with Spanish

posted March 7, 2022

We love how creative and out-of-the-box our staff members and students can be! It leads to wonderful ideas like a Spanish collaboration between Ms. Marshall's upper-level high school Spanish class and 2nd grade students in Mrs. William's and Ms. Yoakum's classes.

"This partnership came about when one of the high school students was a helper in our elementary classrooms," Ms. Yoakum explains. "They got to know some of our Spanish- speaking students and presented this collaboration idea to her Spanish teacher."

From there the teachers worked together and planned out an eight-week program for the high school students to prepare lessons and activities for the two 2nd grade classes. Each Wednesday for about 20 minutes, the high school students visited one of the 2nd grade classrooms during 8th period and then visited the other the next week.

"The Spanish 4 students were wanting to take their Spanish language skills outside of the classroom," Ms. Marshall says. "Having an opportunity to share Spanish, something that they really enjoy, helps them to see life application for their academic studies."

In addition to practicing their Spanish skills, it also provided a rare opportunity for the high schoolers to connect with their younger peers. 

"We love working with the 2nd graders, they are adorable," the high school students share. "They are eager to learn a new language and have conversations together."

The partnership also benefitted the 2nd grade students, providing an opportunity for each class to learn about Spanish culture and their classmates' language.

"I like learning Spanish because maybe when we grow up we can speak Spanish," one 2nd grader says. 

To which their classmate adds, "Now if I meet someone who speaks Spanish, I can teach them English."