Are you searching for simple ways to teach Spanish in your elementary classroom? If so, keep reading for my top tips on how to seamlessly integrate Spanish language instruction into your daily classroom routine. As our world becomes more interconnected, learning an additional language is becoming increasingly essential and thus teaching Spanish in your elementary classroom is likewise essential.
Benefits of learning a foreign language
- Enhances academic achievement
- Fosters understanding and respect for other cultures
- Deepens comprehension of the English language
- Strengthens problem-solving skills
- Opens the door to more career opportunities and connections
The earlier a child starts learning a new language, the easier it becomes, making it especially important to introduce foreign languages in elementary school. If you’re seeking fun and straightforward ways to integrate Spanish into your classroom, here are some easy methods to start teaching the Spanish language today:
Spanish Language Displays
Classroom displays and bulletin boards are excellent tools for showcasing the Spanish language. Here are some creative ideas:
Spanish Language Displays
Classroom displays and bulletin boards are excellent tools for showcasing the Spanish language. Here are some creative ideas:
Spanish Language Birthday Display
If you have a bulletin board dedicated to student birthdays, consider changing the month names to Spanish. This simple adjustment can expose students to the Spanish language and help them learn the names of the months in Spanish. On a student’s birthday, you could also sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish for additional practice!
Spanish Language Calendar
Display your classroom calendar in Spanish. Include the days of the week and the month names in Spanish to help students become familiar with this vocabulary. You could even add the weather in Spanish to increase their exposure to the language.
Timetable
Create a dual-language timetable by adding the Spanish word for each subject to your daily schedule. This way, students can learn and become familiar with the Spanish terms for various subjects.
Spanish Number Display
Add the Spanish words for numbers 1-20 on your number display. Practice counting from 1-20 (and beyond) as a class, using the posters for extra reinforcement.
Label Objects in Spanish
Use labels to mark classroom objects with their Spanish names. This is an easy way for students to learn the names of everyday items such as door, chair, desk, and sink. Regularly seeing the Spanish labels will help students remember the vocabulary.
Spanish Songs
Singing is one of the most effective ways to learn a foreign language. A catchy rhythm helps students remember words, and it’s a lot of fun too. The repetitive nature of songs, combined with engaged listening, makes it easy for students to retain the vocabulary in a low-pressure environment. Play songs on YouTube that display the lyrics to help with pronunciation. Songs with actions are particularly effective and fun, as they reinforce the vocabulary. If the song doesn’t have actions, you can create your own! Listening to music from Spanish-speaking countries also provides insight into the culture.
Here are some enjoyable songs for teaching Spanish:
Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes – Ideal for learning the parts of the body in Spanish.
Hokey Cokey – Sing this in Spanish for a fun way to learn simple verbs and body parts.
I Can Sing a Rainbow – A wonderful song for teaching colors in Spanish.
If You’re Happy and You Know It – This lively song is great for teaching actions and body parts, and it’s especially fun because it incorporates movement.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive – Perfect for teaching numbers 1 to 10 in Spanish.
Bilingual Books
Spanish bilingual books allow students to read the story in English while comparing and contrasting it with the Spanish version. This helps students recognize vocabulary and understand sentence structure in Spanish. Here are some bilingual Spanish books to add to your classroom library:
¡Fiesta!
by Ginger Foglesong Guy
A book that introduces counting to 10 as three children prepare for a party, selecting food, games, and music.
¡Siesta!
by Ginger Foglesong Guy
This book teaches Spanish colors as children gather objects from around the house while getting ready for their nap.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar / La Oruga Muy Hambrienta
By Eric Carle
Students can enjoy this classic story while reading both the Spanish and English text. It’s great for learning numbers, days of the week, and different types of foods, all within a charming story!
Goodnight Moon / Buenas noches, Luna
By Margaret Wise Brown
A little rabbit says goodnight to everything in his room before going to sleep. It’s excellent for learning everyday Spanish vocabulary.
Play Games in Spanish
Playing games in Spanish is a fun and engaging way to learn key vocabulary, including instructions, actions, numbers, and telling time.
Hopscotch
Students call out the numbers in Spanish as they hop through the hopscotch grid.
Bingo
Playing bingo is an effective way to learn Spanish numbers.
What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?
This is a fun game for practicing asking and telling time in Spanish.
Role Play
Set up a pretend shop or café where students can practice using Spanish phrases in context. Props can help bring the activity to life and make it more enjoyable.
Use Spanish Greetings
Learning how to say hello in Spanish is essential, along with other useful greetings. Start by taking attendance in Spanish each day. This is a great way to practice simple greetings that are essential for daily interactions. Begin with something basic, like “Good morning,” and gradually move on to asking “How are you?” while students learn simple Spanish phrases to respond.
Another way to teach Spanish greetings is by displaying a welcome sign in Spanish on your classroom door to greet students and visitors. This is another excellent way to reinforce Spanish greetings. Additionally, try saying goodbye in Spanish at the end of the day.
Learn About the Culture in Spanish-Speaking Countries
In addition to teaching the Spanish language, it’s important to teach students about the culture in Spanish-speaking countries. Show students how to identify these countries on a map. They can learn facts such as the flag, popular dishes, famous landmarks, and local festivals and celebrations.
I have created a range of Spanish-speaking country studies to help teach your students about the life and culture in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.
Each country study includes a PowerPoint filled with fun facts and colorful photos about these Spanish-speaking countries, saving you hours of research and preparation time. The information covers maps, capital cities, flags, food, famous landmarks, and interesting facts.
Worksheets are included with basic Spanish phrases.
Student activity worksheets are also provided, based on the facts in the PowerPoint. These worksheets are differentiated at two levels to support varying ability levels in your classroom.
Each study is packed with fascinating facts about these Spanish-speaking countries.
There are also fun extension activities for early finishers or for use as homework, including a word search, postcard writing activity, and favorite facts assignment.
