Teachers connect those challenges and questions directly to science, social studies, and language arts academic standards and facilitate a path through which students themselves identify what they need to know, how they can find it, how it connects to their learning, and how they can use it to support their community. PBL energizes students towards sustained, dynamic inquiry by posing a challenge or question curious students.
Our commitment to Project-Based Learning (PBL) stems from our belief that children grow through learning experiences that are authentic and meaningful. All projects and instruction in Spanish Language Arts and Reading, English Language Arts and Reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and specials are grounded in our standards, which allows our K-5 students to transition smoothly to any other school and curriculum once they graduate to middle school. The NGSS closely parallel the science TEKS, with an added focus on engineering, design thinking, and scientific habits of study. The TEKS are thorough and rigorous, challenging students to master important ideas and think deeply and critically through their own learning. Our instruction follows the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all academic areas of instruction, with the exception of science, where we follow the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This approach helps ensure students grow their Spanish, always on grade level and always with an eye towards current and future language fluency, while progressing in grade-level English simultaneously. As our K-5 curriculum progresses, we transition incrementally each year, increasing English language instruction towards an 80/20 model that culminates with fourth and fifth graders learning English Language Arts and Reading and Texas and United States history in English. Kindergartners learn in English 10% of their day through instruction in English Language Arts and Reading. Spanish Language Arts and Reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and specials (Fine Arts, Physical Education, Technology, and Yoga) are all taught in Spanish. We follow a 90/10 model, where, starting in Kindergarten, students receive 90% of classroom instruction in Spanish. Our campus, too, thrives with Spanish-language music, dance, conversation, and cultural appreciation every day. They use dynamic, engaging techniques to help students build their Spanish vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, oral expression, and writing. Our faculty and staff are trained in the best practices of language acquisition, helping students develop their Spanish literacy whether they have been at Spanish World School since Nursery School or have joined our campus in Kindergarten for their first experience in language immersion. Spanish World Elementary follows a language immersion model, where students learn in the target language of Spanish through “formal” grade-level academic instruction and “informal” conversation development. We live these values in our classrooms and in our Wednesday Core Values projects, too, where the entire student body comes together for dynamic, authentic projects that reflect the difference we want to make at home, at school, and in our community.
Once per week, teachers and students alike present shout-outs to students and staff who embody our Core Values by speaking kindly to all, accepting accountability in difficult situations, respecting the feelings of others and taking responsibility for their own learning. There they show their school spirit, too, with songs and cheers that reflect the joy and unity of our learning community. These values come alive in our Wednesday Family Meetings. Today these values frame how our teachers lead our Jaguares, connecting their academic learning to meaningful community experiences so that students see how their actions impact others. Our Core Values of Communication, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility were chosen by our inaugural Kindergarten class in their very first Social Studies project.
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