Kindergarten: September 4, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we started our first unit.  Over the next few weeks, we'll be learning colors and family words.  

Ask your student:

• Who was the estrellita in class today?  What does that mean?  (Each week, students will take turns being the estrellita - star - in Spanish class.  They get to sit in a special chair and be a special helper in the class.) 
• What silly song did you sing in Spanish class today?  (We sang "Baby Shark" in Spanish!  It has a lot of the new vocabulary words we'll be learning in the next few weeks.)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• rojo - red
• azul - blue
• amarillo - yellow
• la mamá - the mom
• el papá - the dad
• el bebé - the baby  
• estrella - star 
• ¿Cómo te llamas? - What's your name?
• camina - he/she walks

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well! 

• Tiburón Bebé (Baby Shark, YouTube link)

Bible Verse
This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing a passage from Philippians 4.  In Spanish class, we will also be memorizing verse 4 in Spanish.

• Alégrense siempre en el Señor.  Insisto: alégrense.  Filipenses 4:4
• Audio Version coming next week.

Homework:
Occasionally, I will post links to videos, songs, or other resources for you to watch with your child over the week.  This is not required homework, but it is an opportunity to provide exposure to Spanish during the week. 

• Me llamo, Me llamo (Song to practice ¿Cómo te llamas? What's your name?)
• Note for YouTube Link:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads. 

5th and 6th Grade: August 28, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we reviewed class routines and we named our amiguitos (little finger puppets we'll use for activities in class).  Be sure to check out all of the names HERE.

Ask your student:

• What does it mean when Señora Brouwer says "aguacate" (avocado)?  (Students reply "guacamole" and they stop talking and listen carefully for directions.)
• Who is Pedro?  (He's a little mouse who helps Señora Brouwer in Spanish class.)
• What is your amiguito's nickname?  Do you remember how to say it in Spanish?  What does it mean in English?  (Look at THIS document if you need help remembering!)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• ¿Cómo te llamas?  - What's your name?
• Me llamo ... - My name is ...
• ¿Cómo se llama?  - What's his/her name? 
• Se llama... - His/Her name is...

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well!  Unfortunately, we had some technology difficulties this week and couldn't sing along, but we'll jump in next week!

• Bebé Tiburón (Baby Shark). 
• Note for YouTube Link:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads.

Homework:

In 5th and 6th grade, there will be a Spanish homework assignment nearly every week.  In general, I will use online activities for our homework assignments.  These assignments will give students one extra opportunity during the week to practice Spanish.  Taking advantage of the extra practice helps language learning to "stick" more. 


A few notes about online assignments:

• Students are allowed to practice and "redo" assignments as often as they like.  Practice is how we learn.
• For each assignment completed, students will earn 2 "sellos o pegatinas" (stamps or stickers).  At the end of the year, they will be able to trade their stamps and stickers for small prizes. 
• Let me know if you have any questions!

• Language practice:  
• Vocabulary Practice 
• ¿Cómo te llamas? Song (YouTube Link)
• Assignment (worth 2 stickers)

4th Grade: August 28, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we reviewed class routines and we named our amiguitos (little finger puppets we'll use for activities in class).  Be sure to check out all of the names HERE.

Ask your student:

• What does it mean when Señora Brouwer says "aguacate" (avocado)?  (Students reply "guacamole" and they stop talking and listen carefully for directions.)
• Who is Pedro?  (He's a little mouse who helps Señora Brouwer in Spanish class.)
• What is your amiguito's nickname?  Do you remember how to say it in Spanish?  What does it mean in English?  (Look at THIS document if you need help remembering!)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• ¿Cómo te llamas?  - What's your name?
• Me llamo ... - My name is ...
• ¿Cómo se llama?  - What's his/her name? 
• Se llama... - His/Her name is...

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well!  Unfortunately, we had some technology difficulties this week and couldn't sing along, but we'll jump in next week!

• Bebé Tiburón (Baby Shark). 
• Note for YouTube Link:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads.

Homework:

In 4th grade, there will be a Spanish homework assignment nearly every week.  In general, I will use online activities for our homework assignments.  These assignments will give students one extra opportunity during the week to practice Spanish.  Taking advantage of the extra practice helps language learning to "stick" more. 


A few notes about online assignments:

• Students are allowed to practice and "redo" assignments as often as they like.  Practice is how we learn.
• For each assignment completed, students will earn 2 "sellos o pegatinas" (stamps or stickers).  At the end of the year, they will be able to trade their stamps and stickers for small prizes. 
• Let me know if you have any questions!

• Language practice:  
• Vocabulary Practice 
• ¿Cómo te llamas? Song (YouTube Link)
• Assignment (worth 2 stickers)

2nd/3rd Grade: August 28, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we reviewed class routines and we named our amiguitos (little finger puppets we'll use for activities in class).  Be sure to check out all of the names HERE. 

Ask your student:

• What does it mean when Señora Brouwer says "aguacate" (avocado)?  (Students reply "guacamole" and they stop talking and listen carefully for directions.)
• Who is Pedro?  (He's a little mouse who helps Señora Brouwer in Spanish class.)
• What is your amiguito's nickname?  Do you remember how to say it in Spanish?  What does it mean in English?  (Look at THIS document if you need help remembering!)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• ¿Cómo te llamas?  - What's your name?
• Me llamo ... - My name is ...
• ¿Cómo se llama?  - What's his/her name? 
• Se llama... - His/Her name is...

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well!  Unfortunately, we had some technology difficulties this week and couldn't sing along, but we'll jump in next week!

• Bebé Tiburón (Baby Shark). 
• Note for YouTube Link:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads.

Homework:
Occasionally, I will post links to videos, songs, or other resources for you to watch with your child over the week.  This is not required homework, but it is an opportunity to provide exposure to Spanish during the week.

• ¿Cómo te llamas? Song (YouTube Link)

1st Grade: August 28, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we started learning a few basic words and procedures in Spanish class.  We also practiced a few basic greeting questions.

Ask your student:

• What does "como pretzel" mean?  (It means that you sit like a pretzel, or "criss cross applesauce.")
• What does it mean when Señora Brouwer says "tortilla"?  (Students reply "salsa" and they stop talking and listen carefully for directions.)
• Who is Pedro?  (He's a little mouse who helps Señora Brouwer in Spanish class.)
• What song do you sing at the end of Spanish class?  (Each week, we'll finish class by singing "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish.)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• estrella - star 
• ¿Cómo te llamas? - What's your name?
• ¿Cómo estás? - How are you feeling?
• camina - he/she walks

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well!  This week, we weren't able to sing along with this song due to a technology problem, but we'll jump in with it next week!

• ¿Quién es el rey de la selva?  (Who's the King of the Jungle?)

Homework:
Occasionally, I will post links to videos, songs, or other resources for you to watch with your child over the week.  This is not required homework, but it is an opportunity to provide exposure to Spanish during the week. 

• Watch this video (featuring Pedro!) to practice weather vocabulary words.  Each week, we'll work on a Spanish weather report. 
• Me llamo, Me llamo (Song to practice ¿Cómo te llamas? What's your name?)
• Note for YouTube Links:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads. 

Kindergaren: August 28, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we started learning a few basic words and procedures in Spanish class.  We also practiced a few basic greeting questions.

Ask your student:

• What does "como pretzel" mean?  (It means that you sit like a pretzel, or "criss cross applesauce.")
• What does it mean when Señora Brouwer says "tortilla"?  (Students reply "salsa" and they stop talking and listen carefully for directions.)
• Who is Pedro?  (He's a little mouse who helps Señora Brouwer in Spanish class.)
• What song do you sing at the end of Spanish class?  (Each week, we'll finish class by singing "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish.)

Vocabulary:
Words in bold are new this week, others are review

• estrella - star 
• ¿Cómo te llamas? - What's your name?
• camina - he/she walks

Song of the Week
Each week, we'll listen to and sing along with a fun song in Spanish.  It's a fun way to get us all up and moving while learning more!  If possible, I'll post a link to the song here so you can listen at home as well!  Due to technology problems, we didn't listen to a song this week, but we'll start with this one next week!

• ¿Quién es el rey de la selva?  (Who's the King of the Jungle?)
  

Homework:
Occasionally, I will post links to videos, songs, or other resources for you to watch with your child over the week.  This is not required homework, but it is an opportunity to provide exposure to Spanish during the week. 

• Me llamo, Me llamo (Song to practice ¿Cómo te llamas? What's your name?)
• Note for YouTube Link:  I cannot control/predict the advertisements that YouTube will play before a song.  Please be aware of this and watch videos with your child so that you can monitor ads.  

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.

5th and 6th Grade: May 1, 2019

Today in class, students were able to use stickers they had earned in class to buy small prizes.

We also played Toma Todo, a traditional Mexican game.  The spinning tops we used in class were from Mexico, but you can follow THESE DIRECTIONS to make your own version of the game to play at home!

Vocabulary:

• pon - put
• toma - take
• todos - all, everyone
• todo - everything
• toma todo - take it all
• todos ponen - everyone put one in

Have a great summer!  ¡Qué disfruten el verano!

4th Grade: May 1, 2019

Today in class, students were able to use stickers they had earned in class to buy small prizes.

We also played Toma Todo, a traditional Mexican game.  The spinning tops we used in class were from Mexico, but you can follow THESE DIRECTIONS to make your own version of the game to play at home!

Vocabulary:

• pon - put
• toma - take
• todos - all, everyone
• todo - everything
• toma todo - take it all
• todos ponen - everyone put one in

Have a great summer!  ¡Qué disfruten el verano!

2nd and 3rd Grade: May 1, 2019

Today in class, we played Toma Todo, a traditional Mexican game.  The spinning tops we used in class were from Mexico, but you can follow THESE DIRECTIONS to make your own version of the game to play at home!

Vocabulary:

• pon - put
• toma - take
• todos - all, everyone
• todo - everything
• toma todo - take it all
• todos ponen - everyone put one in

Have a great summer!  ¡Qué disfruten el verano!

1st and 2nd Grade: May 1, 2019

Today in Spanish class, we finished our "signs of spring" flower activity.  In Spain, they look forward to the almond trees blossoming as the first sign of spring.

Have a great summer!  ¡Qué disfruten el verano!

Kindergarten: May 1, 2019

In class today, we celebrated by singing along with some of our favorite songs and playing our favorite games!  The game Tierra y Mar and Bebé Tiburón are probably the favorites!

Have a great summer!  ¡Qué disfruten el verano!