Seventh Graders Bring Spanish to Life With Creative House Projects

Bronxville Middle School seventh graders turned their Spanish “house unit” into an inspiring, hands-on learning experience that showcased their creativity, teamwork and language skills. Guided by teachers Millie Guzman and Cesar Sanchez, the students worked in groups to design and construct cardboard houses, complete with intricately crafted paper furniture – all labeled in Spanish.

The project was the culmination of their study of la casa (the house), where students explored vocabulary for rooms, furniture and household items, while mastering the critical grammar concepts of ser and estar.

“The houses were a true reflection of the students’ hard work and creativity,” Guzman said.
“Many included features like detailed kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms and even outdoor spaces like patios and gardens. Some students added pools, garages and playrooms.” 

When presenting their final projects to their peers, the students confidently demonstrated their understanding of Spanish grammar by using ser to describe the characteristics of their houses and estar to explain the location of various items, showcasing their understanding of these important grammar concepts. Guzman and Sanchez emphasized the commitment the students displayed throughout the process.  

“From intricate furniture arrangements to clever designs like a holiday-inspired house with lights, each house was unique and reflected the students’ personalities and teamwork,” Guzman said. 

In addition to mastering vocabulary and grammar, the project provided students with a memorable and engaging learning experience. Through collaboration and creativity, they applied their knowledge in a meaningful way, bringing vocabulary to life by creating physical representations.