Estimados Padres,
Bienvenidos al Espanol (Welcome to Spanish)!
This month in Spanish our theme is "Lo Que Me Gusta," which means "What I Like." The children will be focusing on self introduction, greetings and expressing their likes and dislikes.
Each class we start off with a brief circle time which normally includes a mixture of counting, songs and practicing general courtesy. Today the children practiced greeting others and introducing themselves in Spanish. They were awarded maracas for successfully greeting the class and saying their name in Spanish.
We did a freeze dance to a song called
"Me Gusta Bailar Rapido y Tranquilo," which means "I Like to Dance Fast and Slow." It's a cute song and you
click to see it. I encourage you to play it for your child. I included the lyrics in case you are curious :)
I brought in some fruits and vegetables and they had to tell me "Si Me Gusta" (Yes I Like It) if they liked that fruit/vegetable. Some students even learned to say "No Me Gusta," which means "No, I don't like it!" I sent home a coloring page that they can color. They do not have to know all the fruit/vegetable words right now but I included them for your reference in case you'd like to use those words at home. I recommend using the sheet as a discussion piece with your child. You can point to a fruit/vegetable and say "Si Me Gusta" and then have your child do the same.
Finally, they got to feed my monkey pet, Senor Mono, at the end of class as a reward. I also sent them home with a special "paleta" (lollipop) from Mexico.
Each week I use lots of words in Spanish but we generally have one or two words/phrases that I focus on. These are my focus words, or goal words that I hope the children really pick up on. If you are ever able to incorporate these words at home, it really helps their retention! Please do not feel the need to quiz your child or force them to memorize words. Just use the word in it's normal context- if you see a banana you could replace banana with "platano." (Example, "Do you want el platano or las uvas for snack?"). As the year goes on I will give you more ways to use Spanish at home.
This Week's Focus Words:
Si Me Gusta (Yes I Like It) see-may-goose-tah
Hola (Hello) oh-la
Other Vocabulary:
Me llamo (My name is) may-ya-mow
El Platano (Banana) pla-tah-noe
La Sandia (Watermelon) san-dee-ah
La Manzana (Apple) mahn-sa-nah
Las Uvas (Grapes) ooh-vas
La Zanahoria (Carrot) san-ah-ore-ee-ah
Hasta la proxima semana! (Until next week),
Senora Mellor
Best Amigos Spanish
