Spanish students create original books for Risen Christ elementary school
Junior Chase Mouser reads his original story with a student at Risen Christ.
January 6, 2016
Spanish III and Honors Spanish III students visited Risen Christ Catholic School in Minneapolis to give students books that BSM students had created. On December 18, BSM Spanish students presented their stories to the children of Risen Christ. Risen Christ is currently switching its curriculum to be bilingual, meaning classes will include both Spanish and English, so BSM students made books with both Spanish and English text on each page. “It’s a great idea because it not only gives the children of Risen Christ their own books to learn from and keep, but it also allows the students from BSM to apply their language skills,” Spanish teacher Mr. Matthew McMerty-Brummer said.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s alumni Ms. Natalie Garcia, a teacher at Risen Christ, spoke with BSM teacher Mrs. Rachel Hubly about her new experience teaching in two languages. Hubly thought that having BSM students create children’s books would be beneficial because it would provide them with another book they could take home and learn from. Each child was given their own story, and the BSM students were given information about each Risen Christ student to personalize it and include what they enjoy. “It works so well with Spanish III because it’s the level where students should start applying what they learn, so creating these books is a great way to do that,” Hubly said.
Risen Christ started integrating the bilingual with the kindergarten class, so as that grade grows up they can continue to be bilingual. As this is the second year, only the kindergarteners and first graders are currently in a bilingual environment. All of the books are laminated and and include a handwriting line along the bottom so that the children can practice their handwriting as well. “Because the children are younger, we understood they would also need to practice their handwriting. So we decided to add the writing line so they can practice,” McMerty-Brummer said.
