Beginner Spanish Travel and Culture: Passport to Adventure

Grab your passport and fly with me to 5 incredible Spanish speaking countries! Let's travel and explore together without ever leaving home. Students ages 6-10 will have a blast learning geography and discovering the rich cultures of Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru. As a multi-day course, meeting once a week for 5 weeks, students will have the opportunity to zipline in Costa Rica, visit the Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico, climb Machu Picchu in Peru, dance flamenco in Spain, and almost taste the delicious arepas of Colombia. We will even learn a few colloquial sayings along the way! Corresponding country worksheets will be available to print in the classroom. 🌍✈️🧳

Week 1: Spain 🇪🇸
This week we will travel to the capital city of Madrid in Spain through Google Maps and chat a bit about the geography. Students will find out what Spain's most beloved sport is. We will take a look at the amazing architecture of Antoni Gaudí and run with the bulls in Pamplona. Next, we'll take part in the world's largest food fight at the festival of La Tomatina. The class will learn about typical Spanish cuisine, such as paella and gazpacho. Finally, we will discover the famous artworks of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

Week 2: Mexico 🇲🇽 
This week we will fly to Mexico City and check out the meaning behind the red, white, and green bands of the Mexican flag. Students will get up close and personal to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza as we take a 360 degree virtual tour and learn about its history! The class will sit front row at a mariachi band performance and see folklorico dancers represent their beautiful country. We will learn the meaning behind Día de los Muertos and talk about the famous and talented Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.

Week 3: Colombia 🇨🇴 
This week learners will walk around the capital city of Bogotá, Colombia. We will see how yummy arepas are made and learn about two of the most important Colombian exports, coffee and emeralds. The class will check out Caño Cristales, also known as "Rainbow River" and explore the colorful towns of Guatapé and Ráquira. We can't forget about the exaggerated art of Fernando Botero or the writings of Gabriel García Márquez. Last, we'll stop for a photo op with the Cartagena palenqueras, or fruit ladies!

Week 4: Costa Rica 🇨🇷 
This week students will travel to the stunning country of Costa Rica that has just about every landscape imaginable, from beaches to volcanoes, and rainforests to waterfalls. We will take a zipline through the cloud forest and learn about sloths, tree frogs, monkeys, and toucans. We'll climb Volcán Arenal and visit the local hot springs. We'll learn why Costa Ricans call their favorite food "spotted rooster" and talk about the history of the oxcart. 

Week 5: Peru 🇵🇪 
This week we will head to Peru and check out one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. We'll learn a bit about who discovered these epic ruins and why they are so important to the culture of Peru. Students will find out why alpacas, llamas, Humboldt penguins, and the pink Amazon river dolphin call Peru home. The Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain will leave us all saying, "Wow!" The class will experience traditional Peruvian dance and see if they would be brave enough to try the typical Peruvian dish, ceviche. Last, we'll look at the super cool floating Uros Islands and see how these resourceful people have lived for centuries.