Spanish Language Program

Welcome!
Welcome to the Spanish page!  The purpose of this page is to serve as a resource for parents and students to learn about the Spanish Language Program at Nord Country School.  If you have any questions about the Spanish classroom, feel free to get in touch with Maestra Chang.

Click here to learn what to expect in Spanish class

About Maestra Chang
I obtained my B.A. in Spanish from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.  During that time I also studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain.  After college, I returned to my hometown of Chico, and received my Multiple Subject BCLAD (Bilingual, Crosscultural, and Language Development) teaching credential from CSU, Chico.  After receiving my teaching credential at Chico State, I also received my M.A. in Education as well. 

I began my teaching career in Sonoma County, where I taught fourth grade in a Spanish Dual Immersion Program.  When my husband and I relocated to Chico, I began teaching English Language Development (ELD) and art at Nord Country School.  This was followed by five wonderful years of teaching third grade at NCS.  After my children were born, I transitioned to teaching in the Spanish classroom in 2018.  It has been a joy to teach Spanish to students from kindergarten through fifth grade.  I believe that learning Spanish happens best in settings that are fun and engaging.  In my classroom I implement Comprehensible Input Strategies, which focus on teaching language for communication in real world contexts.  I love being able to share my love of Spanish language, and the many cultures around the world where Spanish is spoken.  

In addition to teaching, I am also a mom to Abby and Tanner, and I enjoy spending time with them and my husband Brian.  Some of my favorite things to do include traveling (especially to countries where Spanish is spoken), cooking, swimming, and spending time outdoors. 
K-5 Spanish Enrichment Program
The goal of the Spanish Language Program at Nord Country School is to provide language enrichment through songs, games, literature, film and cultural experiences.  Students who participate in the K-5 Spanish Program will learn basic conversation skills and vocabulary through a comprehension based language program.  Students attend Spanish class twice a week.  Additionally, we believe that learning Spanish should be fun and interactive!  Nord Country School seeks to help students develop a global perspective and learning Spanish is one of the ways that students are encouraged to become citizens who are able to think more globally.

Why Spanish?
Research shows that when students are exposed to a second language at  an early age, they are more likely to reach native levels of fluency in a second language and be able to learn a second language.  Additionally, learning about cultures where the Spanish language is spoken provides students with rich opportunities to explore social studies in elementary school.  Furthermore, research has also shown that participating in a language enrichment program also supports students in developing greater literacy in English language arts and mathematics.

What Can I Expect my Student to Learn in Spanish Class?

Each year students are introduced to new vocabulary, grammar, and conversational phrases through literature, games and cultural celebrations.  Below is a brief description of what you can expect your child to learn about according to their grade level.

Primary Elementary (K-2)

This year students will begin using a comprehension based curriculum called Había Una Vez from the Storyteller’s Corner.  Through the use of stories, music and games, students will engage in authentic conversation in Spanish.  Some of the vocabulary that your students will learn during their beginning years at elementary school are vocabulary words to describe colors, numbers, family members, animals and parts of the body.

Upper Elementary (3-5)

Beginning in third grade, students will be studying Spanish language and culture through traditional and contemporary music from a variety of Spanish speaking countries.  Additionally, students will learn language through Movie Talk, music video,  and Reader’s Theater units. Through music, stories and videos from Spanish speaking countries, students in the upper elementary grades get to explore language and culture through authentic resources. Some examples of skills that students will learn in upper elementary grades are emotion words, family members, parts of the house, geographic features, common verbs, prepositions, and sequencing events in Spanish.