Friday, April 26, 2013

Review: "Spanish For You!"

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I had the opportunity to review an all digital version of "Estaciones"/Seasons from Spanish for You! .  It was an easy download which didn't take much time at all. 

The Spanish for You! packages come with: 
  • soft cover book or e-book (currently only our trial pkgs.)
  • 24-30 week lesson guide for the grades you need (24 weeks for G5-6 & 7-8, 30 weeks for G3-4) (PDF download)
  • self-checking worksheets (PDF download)
  • audio files of entire book (includes bonus audio of native speaker of entire book) (MP3 download)
  • flashcard/activity pictures (PDF download)
Spanish for You! is available for grades 3-8. You can buy 2 grade packages for $39.95, or the whole 6 grade package for $64.95.  The teacher lesson plans for each 2 grade package are $12.95 ($14.95 for Grade 3-4).  These packages give you enough content for an entire school year.

Each lesson has:
  • Vocab & commands
  • Verbs
  • Grammar concepts (Learning and using)
  • Putting it all together
These aspects help the student(s) to improve reading, writing, and speaking knowledge. 

I used my program primarily with my girls (grades 1 and 3) but let my sons hang around (preschool & K) during the lessons as I figured they may pick up some of the language as well.  I printed up the current lesson's book page and had my daughters look at it while I played the audio for the lesson.  I would pause the audio after each word to give them time to repeat it before moving on to the next word (I found it moved too quickly for my kids).  They enjoyed doing the worksheets for each lesson and I think it really helped to reinforce the language concepts worked on during the lesson.  I did find it a bit confusing to find which worksheet was meant for each day but Debbie
 Annett from Spanish for You! has altered the worksheet download, so they are more organized and easier to find ☺.  Debbie has been great to work with and is quick to lend a hand or resend things when needed. 



I thought it was great how you can use the same lesson material with multiple grades by just teaching it at their level.  It is also nice how it is flexible and allows you to go at your own pace.  You can slow down and do one lesson over a couple of days or do two lessons in one day depending on your student(s).  Mine need to go a bit slower in order to catch it all  (I think because they are at the young end-or younger!)



Spanish for You! also offers quite a few freebies on their website, too, which is awesome!
 All of the Spanish for You! packages have been used in classrooms before they are offered for sale, so they are field tested and ready to go! 


I think that Spanish for You! is a great program and my girls are excited to be learning Spanish.



I received this curriculum in exchange for my honest review.  I was not given any other compensation.  Your usage and opinion may vary from mine.