Museo de la identidad - Grade 11

The Grade 11th Spanish B students participated in "El museo de la identidad", after weeks of studying the overarching IB topic of Identities (Las identidades) and subtopics such as culture, traditions and languages. Students conducted presentations in Spanish about something that represents their identity and visited each other's stands in the classroom museum. They chose a wide variety of topics such as moko jumbies, Mardi-gras, Zydeco music, fishing, boat living, Quadrille, Carnival, and, of course, food (arroz con leche, pasteles, saltfish or tutmanik) to name some. The results were great quality Spanish speeches explaining how and why those things relate to their identity.

Mexican Culture & Montessori Spanish

This week we had a special guest, Ana Maria Gonzales, share some of her vast experience of Mexican culture with our 5th year Montessori Spanish students.  Everyone had a wonderful time learning a new dance from Jalisco "La Raspa".  

Exploring Identity through English, Spanish and Art

This week PGIA students explored the topic of identity in their English, Spanish, and Art classes.

Starting this lesson in English class, students composed poems and biographies, highlighting their personality traits. Then, using these writings, self portraits were created in Pre-DP Art and Phase III Spanish class. An emphasis was placed on incorporating symbolism and imagery to show characteristics through their artwork.

The Pre-DP Art students then swapped the pieces and wrote a description of the artist in español. Ms. Rodriguez's Phase III students then translated the description to English and compared it to the original ideas written in English class.

This lesson explores language, identity, descriptive words, symbols and imagery in written and visual languages and how we express our thoughts and emotions to an audience.

Bon voyage Panama End Session

Panama (Boquete)- Spanish Immersion, Homestay Culture, Adventure & Service with Ms. Butler and Ms. Weichman. Like them on Instagram at “pgiapanama”!

Adios to the Spanish Exchange Students

The Spain kids said goodbye to our school after staying here for 6 weeks. They loved everything from our IB’s welcoming arms, to our rich virgin islands culture, to the beautiful beaches. This year’s exchange was a huge success and there were many friendships made between the two pairs of students. Thank you to our host families for making there stay enjoyable.

Spaniards go to Coral Wordl

Put up that VI sign! Here is a picture of our amazing addition to our VIMISIA family on their way to Coral World & Coki. Spaniards go to Coral Wordl

need to add picture

Off to Madrid

PGIA students in Madrid, Spain just got back from their second fabulous excursion of the week. They went to El Escorial-the royal palace of Phillip II-with the entire 8th grade class on Tuesday and later on also visited Toledo. The group plans to visit Madrid and the Prado Museum on Monday.

Spanish Immersion Exchange Program

Our students with their host brothers/sisters.

Andy Yu in his new bedroom at his host family’s house.

Zack with the Spanish students at the Boadilla School.

Last week Tuesday six of our 7th & 8th graders left on a jet plane for a six week Spanish Immersion Exchange Program.  Andy Yu, Joaquin Hawkes, Noah Ballas, Zachary Edwards, Nathaniel Levine and Lindsay Barr will be attending classes at another IB school, Boadilla, in Madrid. They will also be living with host families. Ms. Bonnie Barr & Ms. Amy Ballas will be the chaperones during the six weeks.  Ms. Barr will be there for the first three weeks and Ms. Ballas will be there for the final three weeks.  Ms. Barr has reported that the students are settling in and having a great time thus far.  They have already been skiing and have plans to go to amusement parks with their host families.  They will be going on field trips to museums such as El Prado, Reina Sofia & Alcala de Henares with the school.  There are also day trips planned by Ms. Barr to travel to neighboring cities such as Segovia, Toledo & Avila. I will keep you updated weekly on the adventures that our students are having in Spain!  ¡VIVA España! ¡VIVA PGIA!

Noah, Joaquin & Lindsay getting ready for class.

Taquitos de Pollo

As the DP 1 Spanish class explores cultural identity and living a healthy lifestyle, students collaborated and made "taquitos de pollo", while communicating in Spanish in the kitchen. "Taquitos de pollos" are Mexican appetizers made from  shredded chicken seasoned with chile, cumin, garlic powder and topped off with Mexican blend cheese wrapped in small flour or corn tortillas. Students enjoyed the "taquitos" while practicing their Spanish language communication skills. ¡Que viva el español!

Spanish exchange students have arrived!

Let's welcome our Spanish students from Casvi International IB School in Madrid, Spain.  They arrived last week and will be with us for several weeks soaking up our wonderful IB education and sun! 

L-R Isabel H., Sarah J., Rubén H., Adrián S., and José C.

Yucatàn End Session Group Visits the Cenotes

Sean on his trek down (through this itty bitty space!) to an underground cenote

Dear parents:

We write tonight after a day filled with excitement and great memories. Students selected experiences that included a visit to three cenotes in Cuzama or a visit to the Great Mayan Museum of Merida followed by a local spa session. 

The cenote group took a colectivo to get from our hotel to Cuzuma. Once there, they got in motor taxis to make their way to the three cenotes. There, they navigated the deep misteries and secrets of Mayan culture. The experience was one of a kind and they all had a great time. 

The Mayan Museum group was taken by the amazing exhibit and the interactive presentations throughout the building. Our students got a chance to share time with a local school group who was also there for a visit. Students were in awe of the beauty of each item they saw and spoke with the curators as much as they were able to. After this, a visit to a local spa gave them a chance to experience the manners and charm of a yucateca host. 

As you can see, this was a day to be remembered. Tomorrow we head to Chichen Itza, we will tell you all about it in a few days. 

Feeling grateful for the opportunity,

Dean Vazquez and the crew

Chichen Itza Visit for Yucatàn End Session Group

Dear parents:  

A quick note today to keep you posted. We had a great day yesterday. It started early with our visit to the temples and city of Chichen Itza. 

We had an educational tour of the ancient city, followed by lunch, local shopping, and pool time at the Mayaland Hotel. The day ended with the light and sound show in the Chichen Itza grounds. 

We got back around 11:30 pm and it was another amazing day. 

Happy Sunday!

Dean Vazquez 

Letter from the Yucatàn End Session Group

Cancun Underwater Museum

Maya with one of the statues they will see on their underwater museum tour

We have now had two full days of great fun and adventure. We have gotten to know Cancun, traveling by public bus and really experiencing how the everyday folk here moves about and interacts with the city. 

Yesterday we saw the MUSA underwater sculptures and park, a sight to be remembered. Following that, we visited a local mall, ending the day with a bouncing indoor park experience called "Sky Zone".  

It was great to see students throughout the days speak Spanish to the locals, read signs and look for directions, make accounts about their money considering the exchange rate and such. Many were looking for items to bring back that would be just the right fit for their loved ones. Indeed a cultural immersion they will remember for life. 

Today, the Yucatecos head to Merida and the adventure shall continue. We will remain in touch and will share pictures soon. 

With excitement, 

Dean Vazquez 

Bon Voyage to our Yucatàn End Session Crew

Viajes seguros, safe travels, to Mr. Elger, Señora Vazquez, Ms. Ferguson and their 17 PGIA student travelers as they are on their way to Mexico for a week of Spanish language immersion, arts and local culture.  Exploring Chichen Itza, snorkeling in the Cancun Underwater Museum MUSA and in the cenotes of Mexico's Yucatàn Peninsula, swimming with whale sharks....and, of course, que estarán hablando en español!  Jealous anyone?  I am!

Some Spanish Exchange Students See Snow for the First Time!

Lots of great new experiences for our PGIA students abroad at the Casvi School in Madrid.  One of which, at least for Kira and Aviella, was seeing snow for the first time!

PGIA Exchange Students Visit Spain's Ministry of Education

At the Ministry of education

The center of Villaviciosa de Odon

The Royal Palace

From our chaperone, Ms. Brigitte Bornn ~

Good afternoon, parents.  We had a great excursion today! We were invited to visit for awhile at Spain's Ministry of Education department.  We had a meeting in the legislature with the Ministress herself that was very delightful.  She spoke with our students in Spanish only and our students did very well, asking and answering articulately in Español.  I was so very proud of them! 

Bon Voyage PGIA Students to Madrid!

Last week we bid farewell to the Spanish exchange students that were here at VIMSIA for six weeks, and this week we send off our own PGIA contingent to visit their school in Madrid for six weeks.  

Qué increíble oportunidad !  We are so proud of you all for being IB risk-takers and for paving the way for future PGIA language exchange students!  Felicitaciones - que son increíbles !

Spanish Exchange Students Guests of Historical Trust

While PGIA students took the Iowa Standards on Wednesday, our foreign exchange students from Eurocolegio Casvi Villaviciosa in Madrid were guests of the St. Thomas Historical Trust.   Muchas gracias to Vince "Doc" Palancia of the Historic Trust who met with these students on campus last week and then guided their tour around downtown Wednesday.  

Spanish, Spanish Everywhere!

Señora Santiago bringing Señora Serje's Lower Elementary class back from recess yesterday.  Buy bien.   ¡Estos niños están rodeados de lengua española a lo largo de todo el día!