Shirlene E. Groseclose

Groseclose believes that Spanish should not simply be learned, it should be experienced. That is why she designed "Living Hispanic Culture" to reach beyond the walls of her Spanish classroom and utilize hands-on activities to help students learn more about the cultures/countries of the growing U.S. Hispanic population. Approximately 80 seventh through ninth-grade Spanish students will help transform the classroom into the country being studied. Transformation ideas will come from research assigned to pairs of students, classroom discussions and virtual field trips using computers and the interactive whiteboard. Visiting speakers from each country will share experiences and information. Students will also experience the culture through the study of arts, folklore and personal experiences of celebrating holidays and traditions. Dances will be learned and performed, skits will be presented at an Evening with the Arts, and the launching of an annual "Cinco de Mayo" Festival will take place. Groseclose, who lives in Marlinton, believes that this real-world exposure will help students gain intimate knowledge of other cultures and enjoy learning more.