5th and 6th Grade: September 24, 2014

Today in class we continued our unit "Las Islas."  This week we talked about different things and places and different things to do on the islands.

**NOTE** Next week, we will be sampling (very small portions) two different Dominican foods in class.  I will link the recipes I'll be using.  If your student has any allergies or food sensitivities, please let me know ahead of time.

• Mangú Recipe (Traditional mashed plantain breakfast)
• Morir Soñando Recipe (Traditional orange juice and milk drink.  Several students mentioned that they don't drink dairy milk, so I'll make two versions: one following the recipe listed, the other version replacing the milk and sugar with canned coconut milk.)

Ask your student:

• What is a favorite sport on Mackinac Island?  How about the DR?  (Golf is popular on Mackinac Island, baseball is a favorite in the DR.)

Today's vocabulary:

• los carros - the cars
• fuertes - forts
• bicicletas - bicycles 
• la escuela - the school 
• dólares - dollars
• pesos - pesos 
• el hotel - the hotel 
• golf - golf
• béisbol - baseball
• bucean - they snorkel 
• hablan - they speak
• usan - they use

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with our song:  Digno de Alabar.
• Practice our vocabulary with THESE Quia flashcards.
• Practice our new vocabulary words with THIS Quia game.  (Battleship style game!)
• Complete THIS Quia assignment.  (Worth 2 pegatinas) 
• Begin practicing our Bible Memory Verse:  Galatians 5:22
• En cambio, el fruto del Espíritu es amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humilidad, y dominio propio.  Gálatas 5:22 (cinco, versículo veintidos)
• Audio Version
• Earn 4 stickers by saying the verse to me on or before Wednesday, October 29.

3rd and 4th Grade: September 24, 2014

Today in class we continued our unit about  Las Mascotas (pets).  We spent some time today talking about where pets live and and describing them.

**On Wednesday, October 1, students will be able to bring a picture of their pet(s) to class.  They will introduce their pet to the class in Spanish.  If you don't have a pet, you student can choose to draw/find a picture of a dream pet, or talk about a favorite animal instead.

Ask your student:

• What was the silly sentence that you had to illustrate?  (To review our vocabulary from last week, students worked in groups of 4 to read a silly sentence in Spanish and illustrate it.)

This week's vocabulary:

• vive - he/she/it lives
• afuera - outside
• la jaula - the cage
• es - he/she/it is
• tranquilo - calm
• energético - energetic
• grande - big
• pequeño - small

Homework

• Practice our vocabulary words with THESE online flash cards.
• Students received a worksheet in class to help them introduce their pet (or dream pet) to the class.  If your student misplaced the worksheet, you can print another copy HERE.
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Psalm 118:24
• Este es el día que Dios hizo.  Estemos hoy contentos y felices.  Salmos 118 versículo 24
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!)

2nd and 3rd Grade: September 24, 2014

Today in class we continued to learn about the Ratoncito Pérez.  Students also learned how to tell someone that they just lost a tooth!

Ask your student:

• Do you remember how to say "I just lost a tooth"? (Se me ha caído un diente.)

This week's vocabulary:

• duerme - he/she sleeps
• suelto (diente suelto) - loose (loose tooth)
• ¡Se me ha caído un diente! - I just lost a tooth!

Homework

• Practice all of the vocabulary we have learned this year with THESE online flashcards.  (This is a Java activity.  If your computer has trouble loading the activity, choose "HTML version".)
• Watch this video again to review the 4 important verbs for this unit.  
• Watch this new video about the Ratoncito Pérez.  As you listen, do the actions for each of our 4 verbs.  
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Ephesians 4:32 
• Sean amables unos con otros.  Efesios 4 versículo 32
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!

1st Grade: September 24, 2014

Today in Spanish class, we continued our unit:  La Mariposa Monarca (The Monarch Butterfly). We focused on talking about the butterfly and migration stages:  la mariposa, y la migración.

Ask your student:

• When do the Monarch butterflies go to Mexico?  Why?  (They go in the winter because it's too cold in Michigan.)

Today's vocabulary:

• la mariposa - the butterfly
• sale - he/she goes out
• descansa - he/she rests
• vuela - he/she flies
• la migración - the migration 
• el invierno - the winter
• tiene frío - he/she is cold
• cuarto - fourth
• quinto - fifth

Homework:

• Listen to our new song: "Si yo fuera mariposa."  (If I Were a Butterfly)
• Put the events of the Monarch butterfly's life in order!  (Activity HERE)
• Practice our Bible memory verse:  Psalm 24:1
• To review calendar/weather vocabulary at home, you can sing along with these songs...
• Days of the week
• Weather, seasons, and months

Kindergarten: September 24, 2014

Today in class, we continued our unit:  Ropa y Colores (Clothing and Colors).  Today we reviewed the color vocabulary and then we learned a few clothing words.

Ask your student:

• In Spanish, can you name something that you're wearing?  What color is it?  (See the vocabulary list to give your child some hints.)

Today's vocabulary:

• la camiseta - the t-shirt (short sleeve)
• la chaqueta - the jacket
• los pantalones cortos - the shorts
• la falda - the skirt
• el vestido - the dress

Review Clothing

• el gorro - the hat
• los pantalones - the pants
• la camisa - the shirt
• los zapatos - the shoes
• los calcetines - the socks

Review Vocabulary (Colors)

• blanco = white
• negro = black
• rojo = red
• rosado = pink  (rosa is also used for "pink" in some countries)
• anaranjado = orange (naranja is also used for "orange" in some countries)
• amarillo = yellow
• verde = green 
• azul = blue
• morado = purple
• gris = gray
• marrón = brown (café and pardo are also used for "brown" in some countries)

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with our two songs:  colors song, clothing song.
• Watch this slide show to practice the clothing and colors we learned today!
• Want more practice?  Watch this video to review the clothing words we learned last week.
• Practice our Bible verse and actions:  Proverbs 3:5  (Click verse for Audio)
• Confía = trust = take open hands, and clasp them shut, as if you're grabbing on to something.
• en el Señor = in the Lord = point up to heaven
• de todo = with all = hold arms out wide
• corazón = heart = bring your arms in, and make a heart with your hands

5th and 6th Grade: September 17, 2014

Today in class we continued our unit "Las Islas."  This week we talked about different geographical features and animals on the islands.

Ask your student:

• What are some interesting animals in the DR?  (There are crocodiles, iguanas, and flamingos!)

Today's vocabulary:

• el caballo - the horse
• el cocodrilo - the crocodile
• el flamenco - the flamingo
• la gaviota - the seagull
• la iguana - the iguana
• el bosque (de pino) - the (pine) forest
• la cueva - the cave
• la isla - the island
• el lago - the lake
• la montaña - the mountain 
• el océano - the ocean 

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with our song:  Digno de Alabar.
• Practice our new vocabulary words with THIS Quia game. 
• Complete THIS Quia assignment.  (Worth 2 pegatinas)
• Begin practicing our Bible Memory Verse:  Galatians 5:22
• En cambio, el fruto del Espíritu es amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humilidad, y dominio propio.  Gálatas 5:22 (cinco, versículo veintidos)
• Audio Version
• Earn 4 stickers by saying the verse to me on or before Wednesday, October 29.

3rd and 4th Grade: September 17, 2014

Today in class we continued our unit about  Las Mascotas (pets).  We spent some time today interviewing classmates about their pets and learning about different things that pets do.

**On Wednesday, October 1, students will be able to bring a picture of their pet(s) to class.  They will introduce their pet to the class in Spanish.  If you don't have a pet, you student can choose to draw/find a picture of a dream pet, or talk about a favorite animal instead.

Ask your student:

• Who did you interview in Spanish class today?  Does that person have any pets? (Each student interviewed 6 classmates and filled out THIS worksheet during the process.)

This week's vocabulary:

• nada - he/she/it swims
• corre - he/she/it runs
• come - he/she/it eats
• salta - he/she/it jumps
• juega - he/she/it plays
• duerme - he/she/it sleeps
• vuela - he/she/it flies

Homework

• Practice our vocabulary words with THESE online flash cards.
• Complete THIS Quia assignment.  (Worth 1 pegatina)
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Psalm 118:24
• Este es el día que Dios hizo.  Estemos hoy contentos y felices.  Salmos 118 versículo 24
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!)

2nd and 3rd Grade: September 17, 2014

Today in class we played a game to review the vocabulary we learned last week.  Then, we learned about the Ratoncito Pérez and what he does!

Ask your student:

• Who is the Ratoncito Pérez?  What does he do? (When a child in a Spanish-speaking country loses a tooth, he puts it under his pillow.  Then, the Ratoncito Pérez comes looking for it.  When he finds the tooth, he leaves behind some money.)

This week's vocabulary:

• el ratoncito - the mouse
• el dinero - the money
• el diente - the tooth
• la noche - the night
• ¿Qué? - What?

Homework

• Watch this video again to review the 4 verbs we learned in class last week.
• Practice our vocabulary words with THESE online flash cards.
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Ephesians 4:32 
• Sean amables unos con otros.  Efesios 4 versículo 32
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!

1st Grade: September 17, 2014

Today in Spanish class, we started off talking about the calendar and weather.  Then, we continued our new unit:  La Mariposa Monarca (The Monarch Butterfly).  Today we focused on talking about the caterpillar and chrysalis stages:  la oruga, y la crisálida.

Ask your student:

• What color is Monarch caterpillar?  (Es amarillo, blanco, y negro. - It's yellow, white, and black.)
• Do you remember what a Monarch caterpillar does after she sheds her skin?  (She eats the skin - Come la piel.)

Today's vocabulary:

• la oruga - the caterpillar
• la crisálida - the chrysalis
• se quita - he/she takes off or sheds
• es - he/she is (physical characteristics)
• tiene - he/she has
• primero - first
• segundo - second
• tercero - third

Homework:

• Listen to our new song: "Si yo fuera mariposa."  (If I Were a Butterfly)
• Practice our Bible memory verse:  Psalm 24:1
• To review calendar/weather vocabulary at home, you can sing along with these songs...
• Weather, seasons, and months

Kindergarten: September 17, 2014

Today in class, we continued our unit:  Ropa y Colores (Clothing and Colors).  Today we reviewed the color vocabulary and then we learned a few clothing words.

Ask your student:

• What was your favorite song from class today?  The song about clothes or the song about colors?  (See the "Homework" section below for links to both songs.)

Today's vocabulary:

• los calcetines = the socks
• la camisa = the shirt
• el gorro = the hat
• los pantalones = the pants
• los zapatos = the shoes

Review Vocabulary

• blanco = white
• negro = black
• rojo = red
• rosado = pink  (rosa is also used for "pink" in some countries)
• anaranjado = orange (naranja is also used for "orange" in some countries)
• amarillo = yellow
• verde = green 
• azul = blue
• morado = purple
• gris = gray
• marrón = brown (café and pardo are also used for "brown" in some countries)

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with this colors song!
• Listen and sing along with this clothing song!
• Watch this short video to practice the clothing and colors we learned today!
• Practice our Bible verse and actions:  Proverbs 3:5
• Confía = trust = take open hands, and clasp them shut, as if you're grabbing on to something.
• en el Señor = in the Lord = point up to heaven
• de todo = with all = hold arms out wide
• corazón = heart = bring your arms in, and make a heart with your hands

5th and 6th Grade: September 10, 2014

Today in class we began our first unit:  Las Islas.  In this 4 week unit, we'll be learning all about the Dominican Republic and contrasting it with what we know about Mackinac Island.  Today, we started by learning some key vocabulary words that will help us throughout the entire unit.  We also began learning our first Bible Memory verse in Spanish.

Ask your student:

• Is the Dominican Republic an island?  (The DR is a country.  It is located on an island.  The island is named "Hispaniola" or "La Española" in Spanish.)
• Based on what you've learned so far, how are the DR and Mackinac Island similar?  How are they different?  (They are both located on islands.  The DR is on an island in the sea, Mackinac Island is in a lake.)

Today's vocabulary:

• hay - there is/there are
• está en - he/she/it is located in
• es - he/she/it is
• tiene - he/she/it has
• la isla - the island
• el país - the country
• el mar - the sea
• el lago - the lake

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with our song:  Digno de Alabar.
• Practice our new vocabulary words with THIS Quia game. 
• Complete THIS Quia assignment.  (Worth 2 pegatinas)
• Begin practicing our Bible Memory Verse:  Galatians 5:22
• En cambio, el fruto del Espíritu es amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humilidad, y dominio propio.  Gálatas 5:22 (cinco, versículo veintidos)
• Audio Version
• Earn 4 stickers by saying the verse to me on or before Wednesday, October 29.

3rd and 4th Grade: September 10, 2014

Today in class we started our new unit:  Las Mascotas (pets).  By the end of this 4 week unit, students will be able to list common pets and talk about what they do.  We also began learning a new Bible memory verse in Spanish.

**On Wednesday, October 1, students will be able to bring a picture of their pet(s) to class.  They will introduce their pet to the class in Spanish.  If you don't have a pet, you student can choose to draw/find a picture of a dream pet, or talk about a favorite animal instead.

Ask your student:

• Does Señora Brouwer have a pet?  (No, she doesn't have any pets.)
• In your class, who has the most pets?  Do more families have pets or not have pets?

This week's vocabulary:

• la mascota - the pet
• el perro - the dog
• el gato - the cat
• el hámster - the hamster
• la tortuga - the turtle
• el pez - the fish
• el pájaro - the bird
• tengo - I have
• tienes - you have
• tiene - he/she has

Homework

• Practice our vocabulary words with THESE online flash cards.
• Complete THIS Quia assignment.  (Worth 2 pegatinas)
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Psalm 118:24
• Este es el día que Dios hizo.  Estemos hoy contentos y felices.  Salmos 118 versículo 24
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!)

2nd and 3rd Grade: September 10, 2014

Today in class we began our first unit of the new year.  We'll be learning about the story of el Ratoncito Pérez!  We don't know too much about him right now, but we'll find out more next week!  We also continued practicing numbers and we began learning our first Bible verse this year.

Ask your student:

• Who do you think the Ratoncito Pérez is?  Why do you think he's important?
• What do you think the Ratoncito Pérez looks for?  What do you think he finds?  What do you think he takes?  What do you think he leaves behind?  (Questions are related to today's vocabulary.)

This week's vocabulary:

• busca - he/she looks for
• deja - he/she leaves behind
• encuentra - he/she finds
• toma - he/she takes

Homework

• Watch this video to review the 4 verbs we learned in class today.
• Practice our vocabulary words with THESE online flash cards.
• Play THIS GAME to practice the numbers 1-10 and the 4 verbs from class today.
• Practice our Bible Verse:  Ephesians 4:32 
• Sean amables unos con otros.  Efesios 4 versículo 32
• Audio Version CLICK HERE.
• By memorizing this verse and saying it to me on or before October 29, you will earn 4 stickers!

1st Grade: September 10, 2014

Today in Spanish class, we started off talking about the calendar and weather.  Then, we began our new unit:  La Mariposa Monarca (The Monarch Butterfly).  Today we focused on talking about the egg stage:  el huevo.

We also began learning a Bible verse in Spanish.  During the months of September and October we will be learning Psalm 24:1.  Students can use this AUDIO SLIDE SHOW to hear the verse in Spanish as they practice.  Students should be ready to say the verse to me (in Spanish) on or before October 29th.

La tierra es del Señor y todo lo que hay en ella.  Salmo veinticuatro versículo uno.

Ask your student:

• What is a Monarch caterpillar egg like?  (Es pequeño - It's small.  Es un óvalo - It's an oval.)
• Do you remember what a tiny Monarch caterpillar does after he hatches out of his egg?  (He eats the egg - Come el huevo.)

Today's vocabulary:

• el huevo - the egg
• la oruga - the caterpillar
• come - he/she/it eats
• sale - he/she/it leaves or goes out
• tiene hambre - he/she/it is hungry

Homework:

• Listen to our new song: "Si yo fuera mariposa."  (If I Were a Butterfly)
• Practice our Bible memory verse:  Psalm 24:1
• To review calendar/weather vocabulary at home, you can sing along with these songs...
• Weather, seasons, and months

Kindergarten: September 10, 2014

Today in class, we began our new unit:  Ropa y Colores (Clothing and Colors).  Today we focused on learning colors.  Over the next few weeks, we'll keep reviewing those words as we learn clothing vocabulary.

We also began learning a Bible verse in Spanish.  During the first semester, we will be learning Proverbs 3:5.  You can use this AUDIO SLIDE SHOW to hear the verse in Spanish as you and child practice at home.

Confía en el Señor de todo corazón.  Proverbios tres versículo cinco.

Ask your student:

• Do you know how to say your favorite color in Spanish?  (See below for colors in Spanish.)
• Do you remember the actions that go along with your Bible verse?  
• Confía = trust = take open hands, and clasp them shut, as if you're grabbing on to something.
• en el Señor = in the Lord = point up to heaven
• de todo = with all = hold arms out wide
• corazón = heart = bring your arms in, and make a heart with your hands

Today's vocabulary:

• blanco = white
• negro = black
• rojo = red
• rosado = pink  (rosa is also used for "pink" in some countries)
• anaranjado = orange (naranja is also used for "orange" in some countries)
• amarillo = yellow
• verde = green 
• azul = blue
• morado = purple
• gris = gray
• marrón = brown (café and pardo are also used for "brown" in some countries)

Homework:

• Practice learning colors with these little bugs!  (Click here for game)
• Listen and sing along with this colors song!
• Practice our Bible verse:  Proverbs 3:5

Ratoncito Pérez Verbs

Bible Memory: Galatians 5:22

This is the 5th and 6th Grade Bible Memory verse for the months of September and October.

Bible Memory: Ephesians 4:32

This is the 2nd and 3rd grade Bible Memory verse for the months of September and October.

Bible Memory: Psalm 118:24

This is the 3rd and 4th grade Bible Memory verse for the months of September and October.

5th/6th Grade: September 3, 2014

Today in class, we talked about what students can expect this year.  We also spent some time talking about cognates and reading a small brochure in Spanish.

Ask your student:

• What is a cognate?  Why are they important?  (Cognates are words that look and/or sound the same in Spanish and English.  They are important because they can help us to understand more.)
• What is a false cognate?  (A false cognate or "falso amigo" is a word that looks the similar in Spanish and English, but it doesn't mean the same thing.  An example is "carpeta."  It looks like "carpet" in English, but it really means "folder."  Thankfully, there aren't too many false cognates to worry about!)
• What is your Quia username and password?  (Quia is a website that we will be using this year for completing assignments.  Students received their usernames and passwords at Meet the Teacher Night or today in class.  If your student has misplaced the card with the information, please feel free to email me and I can send you the information.)

Today's vocabulary:

• Cognates:  Words that look and/or sound the same in Spanish and English

Homework:

• Listen and sing along with our song:  Eres Digno de Alabar
• Practice Assignment on Quia (worth 2 pegatinas/stickers)
• Complete THIS assignment about cognates on Quia.  Have your username and password handy!  (This assignment is worth 2 stickers.  Please email me if you misplace your username and/or password)

3rd/4th Grade: September 3, 2014

Today in class we spent a little time talking about procedures and class expectations.  We also talked about cognates and how they can help us understand Spanish.

Ask your student:

• What is Quia? (Quia is a website that we will be using this year for completing homework assignments.  Our first assignment is linked below.) 
• What is a cognate?  (A cognate is a word that looks or sounds the same in both Spanish and English.)

New Vocabulary:

• We talked about cognates (words that look or sound the same in both Spanish and English).  Ask your student if he/she can tell you what some of these Spanish words mean...

Homework:

• To practice with Quia, try this Practice Assignment.  Completing it is worth dos pegatinas (two stickers).
• This Quia assignment is to practice cognates.  Completing it is worth dos pegatinas (two stickers).
• NOTE:  For both assignments above, you'll need your Quia username and password.  If you have misplaced your card, please email me and I'll send you that information.  (ambrouwer@hollandchristian.org)

2nd/3rd Grade: September 3, 2014

Today in class, we learned a song in Spanish (I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy)!  We also began practicing numbers in Spanish. Today we started with 1-20, and we'll work our way up to 100 by the spring.

Ask your student:

• Do you remember how to say "five" in Spanish?  (Cinco.  We will be practicing saying numbers...not only in order (counting), but also recognizing them out of order).
• What are some of the actions from the song you learned?  (Here are a few of the actions:  gozo=joy=Wave arms in air; Paz=peace=smooth hands over desk, like a peaceful lake, corazón=heart=form heart with hands)

Today's vocabulary:

• Numbers 1-20

Homework:

• Sing along with the song we learned today!  Yo Tengo Gozo (I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy...)  See if you remember the actions!
• Use THIS WEBSITE to practice the numbers 1-20 in Spanish.

1st Grade: September 4, 2014

Today in Spanish class, we spent a little time getting to know each other.  We also began learning seasons and weather terms in Spanish.  Each week, we'll begin class by talking about the weather (and eventually the calendar) in Spanish.

Ask your student:

• Do you remember what "hace sol" means in English?  (It means "it's sunny."  If your student needs an extra clue, we hold our arms above our heads in a circle as we say "hace sol.")
• Do you remember how to say the month or season that your birthday is in?  (We sang a song "Weather, Seasons, and Months," and each students stood up when his/her birthday month was called.)

Today's vocabulary (We will practice calendar/weather vocabulary all year):

• ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? - What's the weather today?
• hace sol - it's sunny
• está nublado - it's cloudy
• está lloviendo - it's raining
• está nevando - it's snowing
• hace viento - it's windy
• hace calor - it's hot
• hace frío - it's cold
• el invierno - the winter
• la primavera - the spring
• el verano - the summer
• el otoño - the fall
• Weather and seasons (Listen and learn)

Homework:

• Spend some time practicing days of the week, months, weather, and seasons in Spanish.  You may use the links in the vocabulary section, or sing along with these songs...
• Weather, seasons, and months

Kindergarten: September 3, 2014

Today, students were introduced to Pedro, a bilingual friend who will help us out in class this year.  Students also learned 6 common classroom commands/phrases that we will use throughout the year.

Ask your student:

• Who is Pedro?  How does he help Sra. Brouwer?  (He is a stuffed mouse, he speaks in English to let us know what Sra. Brouwer is saying in Spanish).
• Do you remember what "¿Cómo te llamas?" means?  (What's your name?)

This week's vocabulary:

• ¿Cómo te llamas?  ¿Cómo te llamas tú? = What's your name?
• me llamo... = my name is...
• ponte bien = sit up straight (literally=put yourself right)
• levántate = stand up
• siéntate = sit down
• levanta la mano = raise your hand
• mira =  look!
• escucha = listen!
• rápidamente = fast/quickly
• lentamente = slow/slowly

Homework:

• Watch this vocabulary video.  Watch the video until you are able to do all of the actions before Sra. Brouwer does them.  You may need to watch the video a few times to be sure you don't forget!