Song School Spanish is an elementary Spanish curriculum from Classical Academic Press that teaches vocabulary through songs, chants, and multisensory activities for grades K-3.
What Is Song School Spanish?
Song School Spanish is an early elementary Spanish curriculum published by Classical Academic Press, the same company behind the popular Song School Latin. Designed for kindergarten through third grade, the program uses songs, chants, and multisensory activities to introduce Spanish vocabulary and basic phrases. Each level spans approximately 31 weeks with about 1.5-2 hours of instruction weekly. Parents don't need Spanish background to teach the program—video instruction from a native Spanish-speaking teacher guides each lesson, making it accessible to monolingual families.
Key Takeaways
- Designed for grades K-3 with 31 weekly lessons per level
- Uses 42 songs and chants to make vocabulary memorable
- Includes video instruction, workbooks, flashcards, and audio CDs
- No prior Spanish knowledge required from parents
- Focuses on vocabulary acquisition rather than grammar or conversational fluency
What the Program Includes
The full program package contains a student workbook with illustrations and activities, an instructor's guide, video instruction (DVD or streaming), vocabulary flashcards, and audio CDs with songs and pronunciation practice. Book 1 teaches over 100 vocabulary words through 30 lessons featuring 42 songs and chants. Book 2 reviews Book 1 content, introduces 100+ new words, and begins light grammar instruction with over 100 pages of reproducible activities. Topics include greetings, family, house, animals, colors, numbers, body parts, food, weather, days, months, feelings, and common verbs.
Teaching Approach
Song School Spanish employs multisensory, audio-lingual methodology. The catchy songs and chants provide the foundation, with vocabulary reinforced through context rather than translation drills. Video lessons feature a native Spanish-speaking teacher (maestra) who guides each lesson, allowing non-Spanish-speaking parents to facilitate confidently. The approach emphasizes vocabulary acquisition appropriate for young learners rather than grammar memorization. Activities include handwriting practice, coloring, games, and hands-on projects that appeal to elementary-aged children.
What Families Should Know
Song School Spanish excels as a gentle, engaging introduction to Spanish for young children. It builds positive associations with language learning and teaches substantial vocabulary through memorable songs. However, families seeking conversational fluency will need to supplement or continue with Spanish for Children (the next level from Classical Academic Press) after completing both Song School books. The curriculum requires consistent parent involvement—it's not designed for independent student work. Some families note the program is light on Hispanic cultural content, focusing primarily on language mechanics.
The Bottom Line
Song School Spanish offers exactly what its name promises: Spanish learning through song for young students. Classical Academic Press has created an accessible, professionally produced curriculum that makes early language introduction manageable for any homeschool family, regardless of the parent's language background. While it won't produce fluent speakers on its own, it builds a solid vocabulary foundation and cultivates enthusiasm for Spanish learning. For families wanting to introduce a second language in early elementary years, it's a proven, affordable starting point.
