SALSA comprehensive Spanish program from Georgia Public Broadcasting
November 11, 2008
Georgia Public Broadcasting’s SALSA program for young children combines live action, puppets, animation, and traditional children’s stories in a bilingual program that teaches Spanish language skills and builds cross-cultural understanding.
While Georgia Public Broadcasting offers information on purchasing the series, there are also a great many resources available at no cost on the SALSA website. You can watch full-length episodes online — 42 are listed and most are based on stories that children in grades K-2 will know well such as Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The site also includes numerous interactive games that allow children to practice using their Spanish vocabulary. Teachers interested in incorporating this program into their classroom will find transcripts, lists of key vocabulary words, and ideas for classroom activities as well. The Wyoming Department of Education also includes a web page with teacher resources, including pacing guides for grades K-2 and specific advice for using each episode, to help teachers incorporate SALSA into the elementary classroom.
Whether used in the classroom or at home, SALSA can be fun and effective way for young children to get off to a great start in Spanish. -KATHRYN WALBERT
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