Fourth Grade Spanish Students Explore Surprises Puerto Rico Has to Offer

Recently our fourth graders learned all about the beautiful island of Puerto Rico!

The students used Google Earth to view the island’s landscapes, landmarks, and culture. Known for its warm weather, beaches, delicious food, and colorful culture, Puerto Rico offered them a wealth of fascinating discoveries. Fourth graders learned about the tiny coquí frog, the invention of the piña colada, the historic streets and forts of Old San Juan, the glowing waters of bioluminescent bays, and the lush El Yunque rainforest with its waterfalls and towering trees. Following this exploration, students expanded their vocabulary and practiced using Spanish to describe animals, food, and places, while strengthening their skills in speaking and understanding simple sentences.

The class also learned about important Puerto Rican figures, like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sonia Sotomayor, and Roberto Clemente. The class highlighted Benito Ocasio (Bad Bunny), a Grammy-winning artist and native of Puerto Rico who will perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Through a brief biography, students learned about his journey from Vega Baja to international fame and discussed how he celebrates Puerto Rican culture, inspires confidence, and shows that hard work and being yourself can make a meaningful impact.

To top it all off, our class welcomed a special guest: RPS dance teacher, Señor Martinez! Mr. Martinez led a lively salsa dance lesson, and students got to move to the rhythm of Puerto Rico. Having grown up in Puerto Rico, he was also able to share about its vibrant culture. Students asked questions about his life and what it means to be Puerto Rican. These activities gave students a fun, hands-on way to practice listening, speaking, and learning about culture in Spanish.

The Fourth Grade really enjoyed exploring all the surprises Puerto Rico has to offer!