Christmas Break Ideas~2019

If you're looking for some fun, Spanish-related activities to do over break, check out some of these ideas:

• Try a new recipe!

1. Mexican Hot Chocolate
1. While you can find Ibarra and Abuelita brands of Mexican hot chocolate at most grocery stores (I know Meijer carries it!), it's also fun to explore our community's smaller Mexican supermarkets!
2. Mexican Christmas Eve Salad
3. Spanish turrón

• Try a craft!

1. Poinsettia ornament
2. Farolitos (Luminaries)
3. Piñata ornament
4. Make a paper bag piñata
5. Papel Picado

• Learn some new songs (All are available through Herrick Library)

1. Merry Navidad!:  Christmas Carols in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada
2. Feliz Navidad:  learning songs and traditions in Spanish by Anna Maria Mahoney

• Read a book (All are available through the Herrick Library or library loan)

1. The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
2. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
3. N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya
4. Uno, Dos, Tres, Posada! by Virginia Kroll
5. The Gift of the Poinsettia by Pat Mora and Charles Ramírez Berg
6. A Piñata in a Pine Tree by Pat Mora
7. 'Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Summer Resources

Occasionally, students or parents will ask how they can learn more Spanish on their own.  Between our local libraries and online resources, there is no shortage of material:

• Holland's Herrick Library (both branches) and Zeeland's Howard Miller Library feature growing collections of children's material in Spanish.  Discover a new book or find an old favorite in a new language.  Check out their DVD collections and audio books for great listening practice in Spanish.
• If you have Herrick Library account, be sure to check out Little Pim (for younger students) and Mango Languages (for older students and adults).  Both are available for free online with your library account. 

• Listed below are some online resources I've used or recommended in the past.  Most are music or game based to make learning Spanish as much fun as possible!  
• (Parents, please note that many of these sites use Google Ads.  I can not control nor predict the ads that are shown.  You may want to preview the sites with ads ahead of time or have an ad blocker set up on your browser.)

Games and Activities for Students:

Rockalingua:  This site offers great songs and games to practice different vocabulary themes in Spanish.  Some resources require you to purchase a subscription, but there is a lot of material that is available for free.

Online Free Spanish:  The "beginner" level includes a lot of basic vocabulary.

1, 2, 3, Teach Me:  In addition to games and vocabulary activities, this site also includes listening activities with simple conversations.

StoryPlace:  Listen to a story online, then follow up with online activities, a "take home activity" (craft), and get suggestions of other books to borrow from the library.  Great for younger (K-2nd) learners.

Salsa Online Video Series:  According to their website, "Salsa is Georgia Public Broadcasting's award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language."

PBS Spanish Games:  These games feature PBS Kids characters in a variety of Spanish games.

BBC Primary Languages:  This site is geared toward slightly older students (3rd grade and up), and features vocabulary practice, games, and videos.  (Note:  This site emphasizes the pronunciation and culture of Spain while most US-based sites emphasize Latin American pronunciation and culture.  See what differences you notice!)

SpanishTown:  This site provides 30 "lessons" of interactive vocabulary lists and short videos.  There are also printable activities and grammar lessons for older students.

Duolingo.com:  Parents will want to check this one out as it can be a bit "reading heavy" for young learners.  It may be an activity you can complete together.  Older students, however, will love the competitive game-based language learning!

For Parents:

Spanish Playground:  A fantastic resource with ideas and resources for teaching Spanish.

Mommy Maestra Blog:  This blog is run by a Latina homeschooling mom.  She posts a lot of bilingual books, resources, and other activity ideas.

Want to learn more Spanish this summer?

Occasionally, students or parents will ask how they can learn more Spanish on their own.  Between our local libraries and online resources, there is no shortage of material:

• Holland's Herrick Library (both branches) and Zeeland's Howard Miller Library feature growing collections of children's material in Spanish.  Discover a new book or find an old favorite in a new language.  Check out their DVD collections and audio books for great listening practice in Spanish.

• Listed below are some online resources I've used or recommended in the past.  Most are music or game based to make learning Spanish as much fun as possible!  
• (Parents, please note that many of these sites use Google Ads.  I can not control nor predict the ads that are shown.  You may want to preview the sites with ads ahead of time or have an ad blocker set up on your browser.)

Games and Activities for Students:

Rockalingua:  This site offers great songs and games to practice different vocabulary themes in Spanish.  Some resources require you to purchase a subscription, but there is a lot of material that is available for free.

Online Free Spanish:  The "beginner" level includes a lot of basic vocabulary.

1, 2, 3, Teach Me:  In addition to games and vocabulary activities, this site also includes listening activities with simple conversations.

StoryPlace:  Listen to a story online, then follow up with online activities, a "take home activity" (craft), and get suggestions of other books to borrow from the library.  Great for younger (K-2nd) learners.

Salsa Online Video Series:  According to their website, "Salsa is Georgia Public Broadcasting's award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language."

PBS Spanish Games:  These games feature PBS Kids characters in a variety of Spanish games.

BBC Primary Languages:  This site is geared toward slightly older students (3rd grade and up), and features vocabulary practice, games, and videos.  (Note:  This site emphasizes the pronunciation and culture of Spain while most US-based sites emphasize Latin American pronunciation and culture.  See what differences you notice!)

SpanishTown:  This site provides 30 "lessons" of interactive vocabulary lists and short videos.  There are also printable activities and grammar lessons for older students.

Duolingo.com:  Parents will want to check this one out as it can be a bit "reading heavy" for young learners.  It may be an activity you can complete together.  Older students, however, will love the competitive game-based language learning!

For Parents:

Spanish Playground:  A fantastic resource with ideas and resources for teaching Spanish.

Mommy Maestra Blog:  This blog is run by a Latina homeschooling mom.  She posts a lot of bilingual books, resources, and other activity ideas.

Spring Break Activity Ideas!

If you're looking for some fun, Spanish-related activities to try over Spring Break, try one of these:

1. Out and About
1. Local Library:  Many of our Holland area libraries have great Spanish collections!  Ask the children's librarian to show you where to find books, CDs, or videos in Spanish.  You'll find some of your favorite English books translated into Spanish, and you'll discover some new books as well!
2. Visit a local Mexican Supermercado.  What things are similar to the supermarket your family usually goes to?  What things are different?  With your parents permission, find something new to buy and try out at home...maybe a fruit or vegetable you haven't seen before, or even a sweet treat!
2. Staying Home
1. Go on a Spanish Hunt around your house.  Do you have anything in your house written in Spanish?  You'd be surprised just how much there is!  (If you need help getting started, check the labels on various soaps, cleaning supplies, etc...)  Where was the most surprising place you found Spanish in your home?
2. If you watch a DVD over break, check to see if you can watch in Spanish!  Many DVDs have a Spanish language audio track.  Older students, you can even turn on the Spanish subtitles and read along! (Check under the "options" menu for different audio tracks and subtitles.)
3. Getting Crafty
1. Huichol yarn painting  (Instead of a peel and stick tile, you can also use a layer of glue on cardboard.)
2. Mexican tissue paper flowers
4. Cooking!  Try these traditional Easter/Springtime foods!
1. Torrijas:  Spanish style French toast, traditionally eaten at Easter.
2. Chilacayote:  A Mexican beverage...made from squash!