KIMBALL UNION HOSTED FIRST SUMMER LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
Kimball Union Academy offered its first ever Summer Language Institute during the week of June 26th. Over 45 Upper Valley elementary, middle, and high school students chose from classes in Chinese, Classics (Latin and Ancient Greek), French and Spanish.
Kimball Union Academy offered its first ever Summer Language Institute
during the week of June 26th. Over 45 Upper Valley elementary, middle,
and high school students chose from classes in Chinese, Classics (Latin
and Ancient Greek), French and Spanish.
In addition to more traditional language instruction and drill activities, the Institute offered cultural learning opportunities. King Arthur Flour led a baguette baking demonstration for the 25 French and
Spanish students. Tariki Pottery made a camp-wide presentation about the Lead-Free Alliance, which encourages potters across the world to use lead-free glazes in their pottery. Each camper then glazed a tile (with lead-free glaze) that reflected the culture of the language they were studying. Finally, each group sponsored a camp-wide activity to share cultural knowledge between groups: the Chinese group led a camp-wide dumpling making workshop; the Classics group led a workshop on early
alphabets and symbols; the French group sponsored a camp-wide recreation of the storming of the Bastille on July 14 (using water balloons as arms); and the Spanish group sponsored a camp-wide dance workshop.
The week ended with a gala show in the Flickinger Arts Center by the four language groups, which included "Mediterranean Idol" by the Classics group; Chinese songs and games; Spanish dancing demonstrations; and an audition for the part of Marie Antoinette in the upcoming film "The Storming of the Bastille." (Joan of Arc ended up getting the part). KUA hopes to expand the Summer Language Institute to two weeks next summer and is considering offering a residential option as well.
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In addition to more traditional language instruction and drill activities, the Institute offered cultural learning opportunities. King Arthur Flour led a baguette baking demonstration for the 25 French and
Spanish students. Tariki Pottery made a camp-wide presentation about the Lead-Free Alliance, which encourages potters across the world to use lead-free glazes in their pottery. Each camper then glazed a tile (with lead-free glaze) that reflected the culture of the language they were studying. Finally, each group sponsored a camp-wide activity to share cultural knowledge between groups: the Chinese group led a camp-wide dumpling making workshop; the Classics group led a workshop on early
alphabets and symbols; the French group sponsored a camp-wide recreation of the storming of the Bastille on July 14 (using water balloons as arms); and the Spanish group sponsored a camp-wide dance workshop.
The week ended with a gala show in the Flickinger Arts Center by the four language groups, which included "Mediterranean Idol" by the Classics group; Chinese songs and games; Spanish dancing demonstrations; and an audition for the part of Marie Antoinette in the upcoming film "The Storming of the Bastille." (Joan of Arc ended up getting the part). KUA hopes to expand the Summer Language Institute to two weeks next summer and is considering offering a residential option as well.
