• Article Photo. Cayde Sampson was one of several VSHS Spanish students to present lessons at Tilford.
    Cayde Sampson was one of several VSHS Spanish students to present lessons at Tilford.
  • Article Photo. Aaron Ohlsen answers a question from a Tilford student as he reads his Spanish lesson.
    Aaron Ohlsen answers a question from a Tilford student as he reads his Spanish lesson.
  • Article Photo. Lexi Druger reads a lesson to students.
    Lexi Druger reads a lesson to students.
  • Article Photo. Tristan Muir teaches Tilford Kindergarten students a lesson about Spanish food names.
    Tristan Muir teaches Tilford Kindergarten students a lesson about Spanish food names.
  • Article Photo. Ellie Lane teaches Spanish words to Tilford third grade students.
    Ellie Lane teaches Spanish words to Tilford third grade students.
  • Article Photo. VSHS student Tristan Muir goes over a Spanish lesson with Alex Bahmann at Tilford on Thursday.
    VSHS student Tristan Muir goes over a Spanish lesson with Alex Bahmann at Tilford on Thursday.
  • Article Photo. Wyatt Tumilty takes his turn as a teacher of Spanish lessons.
    Wyatt Tumilty takes his turn as a teacher of Spanish lessons.
  • Article Photo. Brea Burroughs reads her book to a class at Tilford.
    Brea Burroughs reads her book to a class at Tilford.
  • Article Photo. Kindergarten students listen as Caleb Bendull reads his book.
    Kindergarten students listen as Caleb Bendull reads his book.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School Spanish students were teachers and learners simultaneously this week, as they spent several hours preparing lessons to present to the third grade and kindergarten students at Tilford Elementary. The high school students visited the Tilford classrooms on Thursday, Feb. 16.

"We had just completed a lesson on expressing likes and dislikes using food and food-related activities (eating, drinking, buying, sharing, etc)," says Spanish teacher Michele Lash. "Their assignment was to write a children's book with specific requirements to demonstrate that they had learned the specific rules and concepts.  I thought it would be great to actually share their creations with children and I got an overwhelming response from the Tilford staff."  

A total of 16 of Lash's Spanish students shared their books with three Kindergarten (Wilson, Jorgensen, and Knutson) and two 3rd grade (Hyland and Patterson) classrooms with great success.  

"The feedback I got was wonderful and I'm sure we will share again in the Spring when my other class does this project," said the teacher.

The high schoolers also learned from the experience. They created books using their own ideas; many used their favorite movie characters.

"I learned how to put sentences together to make them all make sense in one book," said Kylie Miracle. "I liked how it wasn't just a writing assignment; that we could use pictures and colors.  It was fun trying to make a book that little kids would enjoy and try and teach them something that they could understand and would want to know how to say."
 
Caleb Bendull said the experience taught him how quickly young students learned.
"The biggest thing I learned from this project is that the young children really do pick things up fast," he said.  "By reading and explaining clearly what you are reading really helps them learn. The thing I enjoyed the most from reading to the children was seeing and knowing that they were beginning to understand and learn more with each book that was read to them."
 
Brea Burroughs agrees with Caleb.
"I learned how easily little kids can pick up information," she said. "Also, I learned how fun it is to see the kids recognize what things say in Spanish.  What I enjoyed the most was when the kids asked if I could help them read the book.  I enjoyed this because I know our visit was encouraging them to want to learn Spanish."
 
Kaylee Davis says she learned much, as well.  
"I learned so much during this course.  In the making of my book I thought to myself that it would be so cool to teach the younger kids everything I have learned," she says.  "The kids were quick learners.  They also enjoyed learning new words, such as ice cream, which translated is helado.  It was a great learning experience for the kids and myself."