Martina, the Spanish-Speaking Cockroach

Who knew that singing and dancing about an adorable Spanish-speaking cockroach would bring the whole Clairemont Elementary third-grade class together? Señora Barrera did! With the help of a DEF grant, the specials teachers  — Spanish, music, art and P.E.– worked together to produce a bi-lingual musical theater production that would allow their students to explore Spanish culture and experience the performing arts. The grant provided resources for a dance teacher who choreographed and taught the students culturally relevant dances. During several months of rehearsal, the students participated in every aspect of the theatrical production that taught them about collaboration, perseverance and craftsmanship. Every third grader had a role in the production as a member of the chorus, a dancer, an actor, or a member of the backstage team. The bilingual theater production was a unique opportunity to provide an enriching experience for the students, but also for their audience to experience language in a different way.