Last year, the money went to help educate several children in Guatemala. It costs about $400 per person and the Spanish Carnival raised $1,200.
They’re hoping for a similar return this year.
The students choose the theme each year. This year, they’re calling it “Debajo del Mar” (Under the Sea) and all the booths they constructed had to follow that theme.
Hot dogs became torpedoes. The usual Plinko game became a Pearl Drop. Raffles netting beach towels and goldfish crackers.
In the past, Spanish IV finished their year with a market day and even hosted a wedding one year. But they changed to a carnival for its money-raising potential and also as a way to involve the entire student body. But they’re also being graded.
“They have to write Spanish phrases and use those the day of the carnival,” said Green. “It requires them to use various verb forms, commands or expressions,” she said.
The students also are required to make bilingual posters for the school hallway. There’s an English subtitle on each.
Finally, the students design a project and set up a carnival booth. They anticipate ticket sales and participation. “They decide their own booth,” Green said. “What would be interesting. Usually they become quite creative.”
“Cascarones” are one popular offering. They’re eggs filled with confetti that students break over their heads. Green said the eggs represent the tomb of Christ. The breaking of the egg represents the opening of the tomb while the confetti represents resurrection and joy.
Because Green’s students are small in number — Spanish IV consists of just 11 students — other Valley View classes are involved, too. Laura Boyd’s work and family life class makes Spanish food and Kevin Phillips multihandicapped class operate a coffee, doughnuts and muffin stand. Art and photography students have a part, too, as Sarajane Steinecker’s classroom was opened for an art show.
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