Celebrating Culture and Language Through Food: The 7th Grade Kermés

In October, our 7th grade Spanish students hosted a Kermés for their 6th and 8th grade peers—a vibrant celebration of food, language, and culture. A Kermés is a traditional community festival popular across Latin America and Spain, often held in schoolyards or town plazas. It’s a joyful event where people come together to share homemade foods, music, games, and cultural traditions. The Spanish word kermés originated from the French word kermès, which in turn came from the Dutch words Kerk (church) and Mis (mass). The French borrowed the words to designate festivals often organized by the church and then the word eventually made its way into Castilian Spanish and then to Latin America. 

Our 7th grade students brought this spirit to life right here on campus. As part of a project-based unit exploring food as a cultural and linguistic vehicle, students designed and prepared their own stands. They cooked or brought in favorite dishes and drinks, created colorful posters, and practiced describing their creations—all in Spanish.

During the event, 6th and 8th graders rotated through the stands, tasting foods, sampling drinks, and engaging in lively conversations—in Spanish, of course! The atmosphere was full of curiosity and joy as students asked each other about ingredients, flavors, and family traditions connected to each recipe.

In preparation, Profe took students to local neighborhood stores to buy ingredients. If you entered the classroom in days leading up to the event you might have seen students slicing watermelon or boiling, while other students designed posters. The classroom was alive with activity. 

From Maestro:
When I was in elementary and middle school in Mexico, kermés were some of my favorite events! It was always great fun to try different foods and participate in the festival games. This year at the AVS kermés, I was truly impressed by how excited everyone was to cook and prepare their dishes for our community celebration. The students were so dedicated, happily explaining the food to everyone and offering out samples for everyone to enjoy. It was a wonderful experience that brought our community together.

Student Quotes:

• “I think this is my favorite school event ever.”
• “It was a wonderful example of how our Spanish program goes beyond just teaching language ”
• “I loved the Horchata”
   

Through this joyful exchange, students didn’t just practice vocabulary and grammar—they connected language to identity, culture, and celebration. The Kermés was a delicious reminder that learning thrives when it’s rooted in experience, curiosity, and community.