Glastonbury Public Schools World Language

Grades 6-8 Curriculum

Spanish

Spanish Grade 6

Our curriculum is lively, multifaceted and will help the students take a giant leap toward language proficiency. Gideon Welles has a dedicated fully digital Language Learning Center or Language Lab, a facility rarely found at the 6th grade level. Working in the lab will allow students to practice and improve their world language speaking, listening and understanding skills. The essential question of the year is how are we influenced by travel? In sixth grade, we will use an imaginary trip to Mexico to give context to our language learning. In this context, we will:

describe ourselves and our environment
prepare ourselves to travel
travel and go through customs
explore Mexico City
learn about Mexican cuisine
visit a Mexican market
follow the journey of the monarch butterfly to and from Mexico

Spanish Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?” and “What is Spanish culture?” students in grade seven will continue the study of Spanish, which began in elementary school. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Spain and other regions where Spanish is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

Where do Spaniards live and what are their homes like?
How does the legacy of the “Convivencia” manifest itself in contemporary Spanish culture?
What do the most important rites and celebrations tell us about Spanish culture and its history?
How have artists, writers and musicians shaped the cultural identity of Spain?

Spanish Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential question “How are we connected?” students in grade eight will continue the study of Spanish, which began in elementary school. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Spain and other regions where Spanish is spoken. Themes throughout the year include:

Geography of Latin America
Food
Music
Cities and transportation
Art and Literature of Latin
America and Famous South
Americans
Virtual Latin American exchange experience.

Introductory Spanish

Proficiency Target: Novice

This course is designed for new students who have moved into Glastonbury and who have not previously taken a world language or have only had minimal contact with a world language. Students will be introduced to the vocabulary and structure of the language as well as the culture of the Spanish speaking world. In Introductory Spanish, students learn Spanish language through the exploration of the essential question: How does my world connect with the Spanish-speaking world? with a focus on Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Peru. In this context, students explore:

Indigenous populations
Geography
Family
Shopping
The house
Food
Traditions

Introductory Continuing Spanish

Proficiency Target: Novice

Eighth grade students who began Spanish for the first time in seventh grade will take this course. This course will build on the introductory Spanish skills students learned in grade seven. In 8th Grade continuing introduction to Spanish, students continue learning the Spanish language through the exploration of the essential question: How do we connect? with a focus on Spain, Argentina, Chile Peru, and the United States. In this context, students explore:

Arabic heritage in Spain
Geography
Cities and transportation
Art and Literature of Latin America
Latinos in the U.S.
Health and daily routines
Hobbies and pastimes

French

Introductory French Grade 6

Proficiency Target: Novice

Our curriculum is lively, multifaceted and will help the students take a giant leap toward language proficiency. Gideon Welles has a dedicated fully digital Language Learning Center or Language Lab, a facility rarely found at the 6th grade level. Working in the lab will allow students to practice and improve their world language speaking, listening and understanding skills. The essential question of the year is what is the language and culture of the French-speaking world? In this context, students will learn:

Basic conversation
Days, months, and dates
Colors and other adjectives
Noun and adjective agreement.
Verbs to talk about ourselves and others
Expressing likes and dislikes
Clothing, body parts, travel, and much more!

French Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?” and “What is French culture?” students in grade seven will continue the study of French, which began in 6th grade. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of France and other regions where French is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

How do the French spend their leisure time? What are some of the most popular sports and past times in France?
How does the geography of France influence the architecture of the homes and buildings in France?
What is the importance of the French café? What is the cultural heritage of food in France?
What is school life like in France? How does it differ from the U.S. system?

French Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential questions “How are we connected?” students in grade eight will continue the study of French, which began in 6th grade. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of France and other regions where French is spoken. Topics explored throughout the year include:

Québec
The French Revolution
Daily routine
Food
Clothing & accessories

Chinese

Chinese Grade 6

Prerequisite: Study of Chinese at GEHMS or successful completion of STARTALK Chinese Program

Proficiency Target: Novice

Our curriculum is lively, multifaceted and will help the students take a giant leap toward language proficiency. Gideon Welles has a dedicated fully digital Language Learning Center or Language Lab, a facility rarely found at the 6th grade level. Working in the lab will allow students to practice and improve their world language speaking, listening and understanding skills. The essential question of the year is How do we unlock the mystery of travel? In this context, students will learn:

Basic conversation
Greetings, Introduce myself and my family
Days, months, and dates
Colors and other adjectives
Weather and clothing
Expressing likes and dislikes
Daily schedule
Travel to Beijing and much more

Chinese Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?” and “What is Chinese culture?” students in grade seven will begin the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

How do the Chinese communicate?
What do Chinese people do?
How do they go about their routine?
What does a Chinese family look like?
What do the most important rites and celebrations tell us about Chinese culture and its history?
How does a school day in China compare with a day in the USA?

Chinese Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “How are we connected” students in grade eight will continue the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

What’s the weather like in China?
What clothes do they wear?
How do they get around?
What kind of food do they eat?
What holidays do they celebrate?
What specific traditions do they have?
Where do the Chinese live and what are their homes like?

Introductory Chinese and Introductory Continuing Chinese

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?”; “What is Chinese culture?” and “How are we connected?” students in grade seven will begin and in grade eight will continue the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken.

Russian

Introductory Russian

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?” and “What is Russian culture?” students in grade seven will begin the study of Russian. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Russia. Cultural units throughout the year include:

The Russian Alphabet
Russian People, Places and Products
Getting Acquainted
Russian Tea Ceremony & Samovar
Countries & Cultures of the Former USSR
My Family and My Location
Russian Poetry and Verse
Skype Call with Russian friends
Activities and Pastimes
Red Square & Central Moscow

Introductory Continuing Russian

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?”; “What is Russian culture?” and “How are we connected?” students in grade seven will begin and in grade eight will continue the study of Russian. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Russia. Cultural units include:

Russians and Russia in the media.
Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra
Russian Fairy Tales and Legends
Russian Housing, Dwellings and Dachas
Russian Transportation, Moscow and St. Petersburg Metros
Russian Music, Videos, Songs
Russian Sports and Pastimes
Skype Call with Russian friends
The Cold War and Propaganda
Moscow and St. Petersburg Circuses

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