HIGH-SCHOOLERS PRESENT PROGRAMS IN SPANISH TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Kindergarten students at Jefferson Elementary School learned about "El Monstruo Del Cepillo de Dientes."

Central High School students told the story about "The Toothbrush Monster" as part of a schoolwide Spanish lesson Tuesday.

Stories about Snow White, Clifford and others were presented in both Spanish and English by students in the advanced placement Spanish class. The high school students also presented a mini-lesson on language for the youngsters.

Spanish teacher Donna Ellis said the high school students have been learning Spanish since they were in seventh-grade.

The mini-lesson and storytelling gave students a change to focus on the language and to share some of what they have learned with the elementary children.

Senior Kathy "Clara" Canupp and Jessica "Pilar" Anderson told kindergarten students the story of the toothbrush monster then led the youngsters through a tour of bathroom items like combs and curling irons and soap and shampoo. The high school students pronounced the words in Spanish and the kindergarteners echoed.

The kindergarteners enjoyed learning the Spanish version of their own names and giggled as Dustin became Diego, Savannah became Sofia, Richard became Ricardo and Andrew became Andres.

Kindergarten student L.J. "Luis" Beck, helped the high school students teach his classmates to count to 10 in Spanish.

"Luis" said he learned to count to 10 in Spanish "a long time ago," and thought the numbers were the best part of the presentation.

Savanna "Sofia" Hull couldn't remember any of the Spanish words the high school students taught, but said she enjoyed hearing the Spanish names of colors and body parts and items from the bathroom.

In other classes, high school students dressed in costumes to tell the stories. Some even brought costumes and props for the elementary students.

Ellis said students spent hours preparing their lessons and practicing their Spanish.

Before attending the elementary school, high school students presented their lessons for classmates.

After the kindergarten program was completed, Anderson and Canupp told the children "Adios" then stood in the hallway and wondered if the children remembered anything from the lesson.

They decided even if the youngsters didn't remember they did enjoy the presentation.

"They were interested in the words," Anderson said.