Community
Magellan News
What is ¡Arriba la Lectura! and Why It Matters at Magellan
When families hear that Magellan is a Spanish immersion school, the first question is often: How do kids actually learn to read and write in Spanish? The answer comes in part from a program we use called ¡Arriba la Lectura!
What it is
¡Arriba la Lectura! (which literally means “Up with Reading!”) is a literacy program designed specifically for students learning in Spanish. It’s not just a translated version of an English curriculum — it was built from the ground up for Spanish speakers and Spanish learners.
That means students aren’t memorizing disconnected vocabulary lists. Instead, they’re diving into stories, informational texts, and writing activities that make sense in the Spanish language and culture. The program balances phonics, comprehension, writing, listening, and speaking — all the tools kids need to become strong, confident readers.
Why it matters for immersion
True immersion isn’t about sprinkling Spanish words into an English classroom. It’s about giving students the chance to learn in Spanish as naturally as possible. ¡Arriba la Lectura! helps us do that by:
- Supporting bilingualism and biliteracy from the earliest years
- Giving kids authentic, age-appropriate content in Spanish
- Laying a foundation so they can transfer those literacy skills back and forth between Spanish and English
The Magellan connection
At Magellan, we pair ¡Arriba la Lectura! with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. IB asks students to think critically, ask questions, and connect their learning across subjects. When our students engage with stories and texts in Spanish, they’re not just learning to read — they’re learning to see the world from another perspective.
Because of this blend, our students:
- Grow up comfortable navigating two languages, which research shows strengthens overall brain development
- Build cultural awareness by encountering texts rooted in the Spanish-speaking world
- Strengthen their IB attributes like communicator and inquirer in very real, day-to-day ways
What this looks like in the classroom
A kindergartener might be sounding out words in a Spanish picture book. A third grader could be comparing characters across texts and writing their own response in Spanish. By middle school, those same students can read, discuss, and debate complex ideas in both English and Spanish.
Why parents love it
Parents often say that the program gives their kids confidence — they’re not just “getting by” in a second language, they’re thriving. They bring books home and can explain them in Spanish. They write with voice and personality. And the best part? It doesn’t feel like “extra work” for them; it feels natural.
👉 Bottom line: ¡Arriba la Lectura! helps Magellan deliver on its promise of true immersion and prepares students to flourish in our IB program and beyond. By learning to read and write deeply in Spanish, our students are also learning how to think, question, and communicate in ways that set them apart.
.png){kind=logo}
