Education
Benefits for Hispanic Children
While SALSA is designed for all children, it has special benefits for the Hispanic child. One of the most exciting results of the data gathered from SALSA in the classroom is a marked increase in participation by Hispanic children. Over and over again, Hispanic children who were a minority in their classrooms moved from being reserved to participatory when SALSA became part of their classroom experience. Suddenly, the Spanish-speaking children were the "experts," helping classmates and even their teachers with vocabulary and pronunciation. For many Hispanic children, SALSA is an affirming and confidence-building experience. Continue to read a printable version of Benefits for Hispanic Children. (This will launch a new browser window with a text document that you can read directly or print out. Be sure to close the browser window when you are finished.)
While SALSA is designed for all children, it has special benefits for the Hispanic child. One of the most exciting results of the data gathered from SALSA in the classroom is a marked increase in participation by Hispanic children. Over and over again, Hispanic children who were a minority in their classrooms moved from being reserved to participatory when SALSA became part of their classroom experience. Suddenly, the Spanish-speaking children were the "experts," helping classmates and even their teachers with vocabulary and pronunciation. For many Hispanic children, SALSA is an affirming and confidence-building experience. Continue to read a printable version of Benefits for Hispanic Children. (This will launch a new browser window with a text document that you can read directly or print out. Be sure to close the browser window when you are finished.)
Creative Recipe
Ingredients:
- Fresh new characters from the finest puppetry artists
- Familiar, traditional stories children love
- State-of-the-art animation
- Invigorating live-action sequences
- Innovative learning strategies
Take new puppet characters and put them in familiar, traditional stories. Add lively animation and supporting live-action segments. Carefully sprinkle learning strategies from renowned educational experts. Stir vigorously.
Continue to read a printable version of Creative Recipe. (This will launch a new browser window with a text document that you can read directly or print out. Be sure to close the browser window when you are finished.)
Testing and Evaluation
As evidence of how innovative and imaginative SALSA is in introducing
Spanish language and culture, the series has been selected for
inclusion in the Iowa/Nebraska Technology Challenge Grant. This
$6.5-million study has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education,
and among other elements will evaluate the use of technology-driven
foreign language instruction. The study will be conducted over the next
five years.
PeachStar Education Services recognizes the importance of continuing evaluation. A recently completed study by the Division of Educational Studies, Emory University, reports that children enjoy SALSA whether they watch it in school, in an after-school program or at home. Children especially enjoy the opportunity to learn Spanish; the animated character, Salsa; and the use of familiar stories, humor and repetition. Educators described SALSA as "superior" to other educational video programs designed for this age viewing audience.
The Emory study also revealed that SALSA nurtures cultural appreciation. SALSA portrays Hispanic people and cultures positively and non-Hispanic children gained appreciation of and respect for Hispanic people and cultures. Hispanic children gained increased self-esteem and cultural pride and the series promoted interaction between non-Hispanic and Hispanic children. One teacher commented that "[My] students are not familiar with other cultures... SALSA has been a wonderful multi-cultural experience for the students."
In addition, SALSA helped children acquire core Spanish vocabulary and reinforced the skills of children with a prior knowledge of Spanish. Children used Spanish vocabulary in other contexts. The series also helped Spanish-speaking children learn English and exposed teachers to core Spanish words and phrases. One child said, "[SALSA] gave Hispanic families a show for their families to see."