Third and fifth graders woo the judges with their Spanish-speaking skills.
The Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey (FLENJ) asked world language teachers in New Jersey to submit a one-minute video of their students speaking in the foreign language to share the value and joy of learning a world language.
The 1st place winners in New Jersey are Elizabeth Haddon third graders, Cleo Cottone and Ryan Tourtellotte, who starred in a video under the production and direction of Mary Devine, elementary Spanish teacher. In the video, Ryan and Cleo share their knowledge about Alexander Calder, a famous artist from Philadelphia. Ryan acts as a news-reporter for “6LizzieABC” reporting live from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He interviews Cleo who acts as the director of the museum. Cleo shares information with Ryan about the Alexander Calder exposition, taking place at the Museum of Art. The study of Calder was part of a school-wide artist study project. Green Screen Technology was used to make the video look like it took place in Philadelphia.
Two fifth grade students, Gabriella Kraft and Audrey DeCristofaro, from J.F. Tatem Elementary take 3rd place in New Jersey with the video that they created with Luis Bayona, elementary Spanish teacher. Gabriella acts as a reporter in Hollywood, Calif. interviewing famous stars. Audrey is dressed up as a famous singer, but is Audrey really famous or is she an imposter?
All of the students and nominating teachers were honored at FLENJ’S Annual Conference on Saturday, Feb. 27 in New Brunswick. Additionally, Haddonfield BOE will recognize these students at the March 17 BOE Meeting. The school community will get to watch the entertaining videos during March community meetings at the respective schools. Certificates will be awarded to the students who starred in these winning videos.
All of the winning videos will be on FLENJ’s website at videocontest.flenj.org/.
The principals and nominating teachers are extremely proud of the students’ hard work and commitment to being a lifelong language learner. Languages are communication tools and it is important to fun using them to engage in meaningful communication.
