Hoosac Valley Elementary Students Hold A Fiesta
ADAMS, Mass. — Hoosac Valley Elementary School pupils touted their Spanish language skills at Friday's Mexican fiesta.
Seventy kindergarten students from four classes marched into the auditorium clad in sombreros, ponchos, and skirts impressing parents and faculty with their own rendition of "La Cucaracha."
"They have been chomping at the bit all day," organizer and kindergarten teacher Robin Poirot said.
Students showed off their myriad skills including naming colors, giving greetings, naming the days of the week, months, and even counting to 100 in Spanish.
"The children have not only learned many kindergarten skills that are typical for a kindergartner but they have also learned those things in Spanish," Poirot said.
There was more song and students sang "The Wheels On the Bus" and "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in English and then in Spanish.
The event ended in a rendition of the "Chicken Dance."
Poirot said when students learn a second language at such a young age it improves both cognitive and social aspects of their early years.
"We have been pretty impressed by how fast they have picked it up and how they have been practicing all of the time," she said.
Poirot said the children made their own maracas and she thanked Bridget Mendal for sewing an additional 20 skirts and paraprofessional Judy Gaylord for making an additional 17 ponchos to give the children examples of the country's historical attire and cultural traditions.
"It has been a big undertaking but you are going to be so proud when you hear how well they do," she said.
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