Matt Riley, News Editor
@MRileyCourant
Every year since 2005, Spanish 3 and 4 students have taken a field trip to Brookside Elementary School in South Norwalk to spend a day both teaching and playing games with a second or third grade class. The NCHS students come prepared with a lesson for the day in which they will apply what they have learned throughout the year.
The program has been running for nine years. It was co-created by Spanish teacher Diane Cornwell after she had the idea to implement authentic experiences into the World Language curriculum. “Another teacher and I wanted the spanish students to have the chance to use their skills in a real-world context,” she said. “We thought it would be a good idea for them to do something outside New Canaan, in a community that’s a little more diverse when it comes to spoken languages.”
The World Language department values the experience that the trip gives to NCHS students. “Most of the students are juniors and seniors so they’re mature enough to handle the responsibility of teaching students,” Spanish teacher Catherine Bakes said. “A different side of a student’s personality can come out. They step into the role of leaders and teachers.”
“It’s wonderful to see our students in roles that they aren’t usually in during the school day,” Dr. Cornwell said. “They show leadership, creativity, the ability to work with kids, organization – it’s very self-sufficient.”
The day usually leads to beneficial experiences on both sides – the second or third graders advance their curriculum and the NCHS students have the chance to use their knowledge while creating some great memories. I was surprised when I saw how easy it was to communicate with the kids, even the children that didn’t know perfect english,” Senior Margot Tucker said. “It was important for the kids to see some role models who could give them a day of fun in the classroom, while teaching them about something new.”
“In class, we learn spanish, but we aren’t really using the language in a real life situation, and the trip to Brookside allowed us to do that,” Junior Nicole Pla said. “When the kids were so excited to see us as we walked in, I knew the whole trip was worth all the preparation.”
“While we were doing arts and crafts with the kids, I loved that we could joke around and have a good time,” Margot said. “Their faces totally lit up every time we did something new or fun.”
Almost everyone seems to walk away from the trip with a great experience. “A lot of students are surprised about how much fun they had and about how difficult teaching is,” Dr. Cornwell said. “It gives them a new perspective.”
“I think that this trip is important because, as one of the aids at the school put it, these kids don’t have a lot of positive role models in their lives,” Senior Charlie Hoffman said. “I mean sure, the spanish is a nice bonus, but seeing older kids set a good example and communicate with them in a positive manner is what it’s really about.”
