Dual Language Unit Studies
My Spanish Language Background
I know the intimidation of teaching Spanish at home. I grew up around Spanish, and was immersed in the language whenever we visited family in Colombia. The thought of speaking it at home had me nervous as its not my first language.
It took me forever to be willing and able to speak the language as a kid.
My children know some basic household commands in Spanish, foods, and beverages. Living near Mexico means some Spanish is just part of day to day life as well. So why the intimidation? I wanted a way to introduce Spanish into our homeschool that was simple and straightforward.
How I’m teaching Spanish at home
My compromise?
Dual Language Spanish in our studies - you can read more about what dual language is here. Essentially, I’m not teaching the language from scratch or grammatically yet. I’m starting by tag teaming words within our existing studies - words my children already know in their native language (English).
Spanish in a subject we already study
We will be using For the Love of Homeschooling Nature Study Club for science. (I’m one of the writers on it, along with Monique of Wonderhousecreative) and some of the dual language units in my shop will be high frequency words with the accompanying Spanish articles from each month’s nature study.
I’m starting with science but have exciting plans going forward to implement this vocabulary/dual-language approach to more subjects.
Included in this dual language unit study
A complete pronunciation video you can use as a daily exercise with your children to work on pronunciation of the week’s words (or however long you use the unit for!)
The unit study itself which includes:
A 5 day lesson plan
Flashcards for your vocabulary words with traceable text (laminate for dry erase use)
Tracing sheets in English/Spanish for all vocabulary
Coloring pages
A half sheet coloring book with vocabulary tracing in English/Spanish
A vocabulary game - a vocab dice (cube) that you fold up, tape or glue, and roll to practice your words!
As a bonus I’m including some ideas here for additional applications within this unit:
For more advanced students or students with fluent parents, start working these vocabulary words with their articles into Spanish phrases and sentences.
If you live near the ecosystem being discussed, go outside with your flashcards and hold a conversation in the target language about what you see!
Print multiple copies of your flashcards and play the game of memory with them - make sure your children say their words with the correct article to retrieve their pair!
Thank you for visiting my website, and if you haven’t signed up yet for my free resources via my email list - I’d love for you to check them out!
