Chagrin Falls Schools’ students experienced Spanish language instruction through creative, hands-on activities recently, as the District's world language program continues to emphasize cultural immersion alongside traditional vocabulary and grammar.
Last week, professional dancers Myla and Justin from LeSalsa in Lakewood transformed the classroom into a dance studio, teaching students the fundamentals of salsa dancing. The activity, planned by Spanish teacher Jennifer Stone, gave students a chance to experience Hispanic cultural traditions firsthand while practicing their language skills in an authentic context. All CFHS Spanish classes participated in the event, including students all the way from Spanish 1 to AP Spanish.
In Kathleen Aranavage's classroom, students became "secret agents" during an innovative review activity using Breakout EDU boxes—classroom-sized escape room challenges. Working in teams, students applied their knowledge of Spanish culture and vocabulary to decode clues related to Franco, GaudĂ, Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Parque GĂĽell, and Las Ramblas.
"Using their Spanish vocabulary, students interpreted written and spoken clues to crack the codes and unlock the five Breakout EDU locks," said Aranavage. The activity, inspired by the novel "Agentes secretos y el mural de Picasso," helped students prepare for upcoming assessments while engaging them in collaborative problem-solving.
