World Languages
| World Languages In addition to being able to understand and speak another language, children are also introduced to the customs and cultures of the world. Learning a foreign language aids in the development of creative and analytical thinking and in the deeper understanding of English. Grenwood School offers Mandarin in Grades 1-3 and Spanish in Grades 4-8. Mandarin, Grades 1-3 Mandarin in the first three grades provides the love of language and introduction to new cultures. The Mandarin curriculum is enlivened by songs, stories, drama, poems, rhymes, tongue twisters, counting, group games, and cultural experiences. Greenwood School students celebrate Chinese New Year each year by parading through Mill Valley in cultural dress, and a festive dragon Spanish, Grades 4-8 The Spanish curriculum is designed to develop listening comprehension, speaking, basic reading and writing proficiency, deepen cultural understanding, and expand the skills and interest necessary to continue studies in Spanish. Our students should be able to hold simple conversations, including the describing of events and expressing of preferences, by the end of eighth grade. In many Spanish speaking cultures, El Dia De Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is an annual event celebrating and remembering those family and ancestors who have passed on. Greenwood students experience this event through stories or decorating sugar skulls and other traditional items for the special tables set up within their classroom. Children bring in photos or other items to remember family members, friends or even pets who have died. |
 
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