Since 2003, the LEE Program has been encouraging students to explore the world, its cultures and its languages. Native Spanish-speaking instructors teach the language in a fun and engaging way. The instructional basis of the program is literacy in the Spanish language, which prepares students for middle and high school Spanish classes.
“We teach via thematic units,” said Donna Guzzo, president and CEO. “For example, if we introduce the book ‘The Little Red Riding Hood,’ we use vocabulary from the book to teach about family, fruits, house, animals, forest, environment, numbers and colors. Gone are the days a teacher will stand in front of the class to lecture. We want engaged students. We want them speaking the targeted language, and we want them to understand cultures around the world.”
The thematic units also align with critical thinking. In the old days, the teacher would ask what color Little Red Riding Hood’s cape was. And all will say red! Now, the question is: What made Little Red Riding Hood wear a red cape? Answers will vary, students are thinking, and there’s no wrong answer.
Classes are offered once a week after school at St. Johns participating schools: Cunningham Creek Elementary, Freedom Crossing Academy, Lakeside Academy, Ocean Palm Elementary, Palm Valley Academy and PVPV/Rawlings Elementary, from September to December. K-5th grade regular and extended day students are accepted. Each class includes language lessons, literature, arts and crafts, technology, games, music and movement, cooking and more.
“Children learn by doing, by experiencing and with playful practice,” said Janet Robles, director of curriculum and technology. “The earlier they start in their language learning, the faster they will become fluent. Learning a language is a step in the ladder to become a world citizen.”
To learn more about LEE go to leestjohns.pbworks.com.
To sign up for the fall semester, go to leestjohns.pbworks.com and click the Registration link.
