Thursday, May 2, 2019

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.



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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

5th and 6th Grade: April 24, 2019

This week, students had a work day for their short stories!  Many students finished up their books in class today!  

Ask your student

  • How did your Spanish story turn out?  What is your favorite part?

Vocabulary
Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
  • "Super Seven" Verbs
  • va a - he/she goes to
    • voy a - I go to 
  • quiere - he/she wants
    • quiero - I want
  • tiene - he/she/it has
    • tengo - I have
  • es - he/she/it is
    • soy - I am
  • está en - he/she is located in
    • estoy en - I am located in
  • le gusta - he/she like
    • me gusta - I like
  • hay - there is/there are
Homework:
Please email me if you need your Quia username and/or password. 
  • Quia Vocabulary/Language practice:
    • This isn't a Quia assignment, but just a few questions in a different format.  It's also worth stickers!  Google Assignment
  • Weather and Seasons
  • Bible Memory:  
    This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In 2nd-6th grade, we will also be memorizing the passage in Spanish.  Everyone will memorize the first verse, but I'll post an audio version of the entire Psalm for students who want a challenge in Spanish!
  • Previous Assignments:  Did you miss last week's assignment?  If you were absent, you may still complete it for 2 stickers each.  If you weren't absent, but didn't get to the assignment, you may still complete the assignments for one sticker each.
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4th Grade: April 24, 2019

Today in class, we continued learning about "el jaguar" -- the jaguar of Central and South America.  We made mini books about jaguars to go along with the mini magazines. 

Ask your student:
  • Can you show me your mini book and magazine about jaguars?
Vocabulary
Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
  • las manchas - the spots
  • vive - lives
  • trepa - climbs
  • come - eats
  • el cachorro - the cub

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!
  • Ven Jaguar a Jugar (Jaguar, come to play!) 
  • Tiburones de Navidad (Christmas Sharks)
  • Bebé T-Rex (Baby T-Rex)
  • El Bugi de la Selva (The Jungle Boogie) ~ Just for fun!
  • Mono Bananas (Monkey and Bananas)~based on Bebé Tiburón, but uses some of our new vocabulary.  (P.S.  In Spanish, both "el plátano" and "la banana" mean "the banana.")
  • 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:
Please email me if you need your Quia username and/or password.
  • Quia Vocabulary/Language practice:
    • No Quia assignment, but be sure to read your jaguar book to your family!
  • Bible Memory:  
    This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In 2nd-6th grade, we will also be memorizing the passage in Spanish.  Everyone will memorize the first verse, but I'll post an audio version of the entire Psalm for students who want a challenge in Spanish!
  • Previous Assignments:  Did you miss last week's assignment?  If you were absent, you may still complete it for 2 stickers each.  If you weren't absent, but didn't get to the assignment, you may still complete the assignments for one sticker each.
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2nd and 3rd Grade: April 24, 2019

This week, we celebrated spring by reading about tulips in Spanish!

Ask your student:
  • Can you tell me what you learned about tulips in Spanish class today? (The have six petals and come in different colors.)
Vocabulary
Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
  • el tulipán - the tulip
  • el tallo - the stem
  • crece - it grows
  • el jardín - the garden
  • pétalos - petals
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!
Bible Verse:
This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In 2nd-6th grade, we will also be memorizing the passage in Spanish.  Everyone will memorize the first verse, but I'll post an audio version of the entire Psalm for students who want a challenge in Spanish!
  • VERSE 1 only
    • El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta.  Salmos 23:1 (veintitrés, versículo uno).  
    • Audio Version
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.
  • NUMBER Practice:   During the second semester, we practice numbers 1-100.  Use thes games below to practice and review at home.
  • Previous Assignment (great review during this whole unit):  play this short game to practice the word "hay."  CLICK HERE  
    • A few notes about Quia...
      • If the game is not loading for you, it may be because you don't have the most up to date version of Adobe Flash.  If you get a message that the game can not load, you can click on "HTML Version."  The graphics aren't as fancy, but the content is the same.
      • Our older (4th-6th Grade) students each have a unique Quia username and password...one of your older siblings/children may have that.  However, for 2nd and 3rd grade, students do NOT need to log in to play Quia games.  Just follow the link and begin the game. 
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1st and 2nd Grade: April 24, 2019

This week, we talked about different signs of spring in Michigan and Spain.  In Michigan, we look forward to tulips in the spring.  Next week, we'll talk about the flower they look forward to in Spain! 

Ask your student:
  • Who was the "estrellita" today?  (Everyone has had their second turn!)
  • Can you tell me about the flower you made in Spanish today? (We made a simple origami tulip and labeled it in Spanish --el tulipán.)
Vocabulary
Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
  • la flor - the flower
  • el tulipán - the tulip
  • invierno - winter
  • primavera - spring
  • verano - summer
  • otoño - autumn/fall
  • hace frío - it's cold
  • hace fresco - it's cool/chilly
  • hace calor - it's hot
    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!

    Bible Verse:
    This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In 1st and 2nd Grade, we will also be memorizing the first verse in Spanish.
    • El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta.  Salmos 23:1 (veintitrés, versículo uno).  
    • Audio Version
    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 to practice greetings and family vocabulary.
    • Watch this video (featuring Pedro!) to practice more weather vocabulary words.
    • 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. 
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    Kindergarten: April 24, 2019

    This week, we read a short story together about petirrojos (robins) and golondrinas (swallows).

    Ask your student:
    • Who were the "estrellitas" today?  (As of today, everyone has had a third turn!)
    • Can you show me the story you read in Spanish class?  
    Vocabulary
    Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
    • va a - goes to
    • rojo - red
    • negro - black 
    • blanco - white
    • amarillo - yellow
    • el pájaro - the bird
    • vuela - it flies
    • hace frío - it's cold
    • hace calor - it's hot
    • la primavera - the spring
    • el petirrojo - the robin
    • la golondrina - the swallow

    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!
    Bible Verse:
    This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In Kindergarten, we will also be memorizing the first verse in Spanish.
    • El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta.  Salmos 23:1 (veintitrés, versículo uno).  
    • Audio Version
    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?)
    • Los Colores (Bilingual song to practice the colors in Spanish)
      • 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. 
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    Wednesday, April 17, 2019

    5th and 6th Grade: April 17, 2019

    This week, students had a work day for their short stories!  I'm so happy with how they're all turning out!  We'll work some more next week!

    Ask your student

    • What will your Spanish story be about?  How far did you get in class today?

    Vocabulary
    Words in bold are new this week, others are review.
    • "Super Seven" Verbs
    • va a - he/she goes to
      • voy a - I go to 
    • quiere - he/she wants
      • quiero - I want
    • tiene - he/she/it has
      • tengo - I have
    • es - he/she/it is
      • soy - I am
    • está en - he/she is located in
      • estoy en - I am located in
    • le gusta - he/she like
      • me gusta - I like
    • hay - there is/there are
    Homework:
    Please email me if you need your Quia username and/or password. 
    • Quia Vocabulary/Language practice:
      • Want to work on your story?  Here's a copy of the worksheet we were using in class.  You can write out a few sentences and bring it to class next week.
    • Weather and Seasons
    • Bible Memory:  
      This semester, our (HC)2 group will be memorizing Psalm 23 in English.  In 2nd-6th grade, we will also be memorizing the passage in Spanish.  Everyone will memorize the first verse, but I'll post an audio version of the entire Psalm for students who want a challenge in Spanish!
    • Previous Assignments:  Did you miss last week's assignment?  If you were absent, you may still complete it for 2 stickers each.  If you weren't absent, but didn't get to the assignment, you may still complete the assignments for one sticker each.
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