Spanish Language Arts in the Amigos 6th-8th grade is considered a
core subject with academic expectations and homework requirements equal
to those of other subjects at the middle school level. It is scheduled
and taught to all students for five periods a week. Spanish at this
level continues to utilize the Literacy Collaborative framework as a
model of instruction.
The Literacy Collaborative framework is the English Language Art’s
curriculum, instruction and assessment program in grades K-8 in the
Cambridge Public Schools. At the middle school level, listening,
speaking, reading, and writing are previewed, viewed, and reviewed
through a “workshop” model. The workshops include: reading workshop,
writers workshop, and word study.
Both communicative and academic skills are developed and reinforced
at higher levels to extend students critical thinking, comprehension,
content vocabulary, and writing. There is a greater emphasis on thematic
units that reflect students’ interests and experiences. As such, the
language activities promote student talk and reflection as students
continue to build their language competencies. While grammar is
developed throughout the Spanish language curriculum at Amigos, there is
an increased emphasis on students’ ability to utilize correct Spanish
grammar, both orally and in writing. Explicit grammar activities are
embedded in language lessons and taught through reading and writing.
Amigos students, therefore, are well prepared for the transition to the
Spanish as a foreign language program at the high school level.