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FAQ
Can I use the Sonrisas Curricula for the older grades?
Yes. The Sonrisas Preschool and Elementary Curriculum was designed primarily for the younger grades (pre-K through 3rd), but it can be used with the older grades as well depending on how much Spanish the older students have already learned. If they have had little or no experience with the Spanish language, then the Sonrisas Preschool and Elementary Curriculum is very effective. The curriculum is designed so that you can incorporate more independent reading and writing with the art projects for older students. The Cultural Curriculum can be used with all of the grades.
Are the story books included in the curriculum?
No, but they have been chosen based on their quality, relevance and availability. The best ways to get the story books are: 1) Order the storybook sets here. 2) Get them from your local library. If your library does not have them, they can usually be ordered through the interlibrary loan system. 3) Go to Amazon.com. Most of the books can be found in the used book section and are inexpensive.
What type of schedule do the lessons follow?
Because of the flexible nature of the Sonrisas lessons, they can be used in any type of schedule. The lessons can be adapted for teaching twice-a-week, once-a-week, everyday, etc. The lessons can be 20 minutes long, 45 minutes, one hour long, etc. We have seen success with the lessons in many different types of schedules.
What student materials are included in the curriculum?
The Sonrisas Curricula do not include any student workbooks or student worksheets. For extended learning and enrichment, students can take their art projects home and get their parents involved by sharing what they learned with them.
What do I do when I have finished teaching all of the lessons?
Repeat the curriculum. We are firm believers in the effectiveness of repetition in language learning. Because each lesson in the Sonrisas Curricula have several different choices for the story books and the art projects, you can repeat the theme of the lesson while varying the content. Your students will enjoy having prior knowledge of the material as they repeat the lessons and will take their learning to a higher level at the same time. The Sonrisas Preschool and Elementary Curriculum has more than enough lessons for an entire school year.
Are the Sonrisas curricula standards-based?
Yes. The cultural curriculum is correlated to the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. The preschool and elementary curriculum teaches to the standards as well but is currently not correlated. If you need standards correlation for the preschool and elementary curriculum, please contact us.
I am starting a Spanish class—What do I need to buy?
To get started, you at least need to buy the Sonrisas Spanish School Preschool and Elementary Curriculum. This can be used for a public school class, a private school class, a preschool class, or an extracurricular class. If you want to use the cultural curriculum lessons too, a Best Deal Package is available which includes the preschool and elementary curriculum, the cultural curriculum, and both CD's, at a discounted price. You may also wish to purchase the CD's separately. We recommend that your students have a CD for at-home enrichment. CD orders of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.
I already have a Spanish class—How can Sonrisas help me?
The Sonrisas curricula are excellent supplements to any existing Spanish language program already in place. The preschool and elementary curriculum contains many fun activities and projects that you can use to supplement your existing program, and the cultural curriculum can help you fulfill the cultural component of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning.
