La comida y Paletas Betty

Hola padres! What an exciting second week of the quarter! The Kinders worked really hard this week on solidifying their comida vocabulary by playing more musical frutas y verduras (fruits and vegetables) and by taking their first ever Spanish quiz! It was so fun to walk them through that first endeavor. They did a great job listening to the words and watching me as I pronounced and pointed to each word and picture on the quiz. 

This latter part of the week we began talking about the four different meals that are typically eaten throughout the day: el desayuno, el almuerzo, la merienda y la cena and about which fruits are typically eaten at each meal. We will continue reinforcing this vocabulary in future lessons. One activity I'd like to do with them is making a plate of food using the food ads from grocery stores and restaurants that are found in the newspaper. I was wondering if you parents would be willing to send some of those ads in for us to use. I have a few, but am not sure I can collect enough on my own for each students in both classes to create their own plates. If you could just have your scholar bring them into school and give them either to their teachers or to myself I would greatly appreciate it. Gracias! 

Since we are in the fourth quarter, I would also like to start reviewing topics that I feel the Kinders could use some repetition in. So, I hope to spend a few minutes each week playing games or reviewing lessons that we have already done, but that the kids found particularly fun or that I feel really got them thinking as to how to use the Spanish they have learned. I'm excited to see what they remember!

One last note. I was able to visit a great establishment this weekend that I feel would be a great way for the scholars to experience a bit of Mexican culture. If you haven't been, I would highly recommend Paletas Betty. Paletas are Mexican popsicles made with real chunks of fruit. Unfortunately, the closest one to us is in Tempe right down the street from Sun Devil Stadium. I believe there is another one in Chandler. However, if you are ever in that area, I would highly recommend going. The flavor combinations were truly reminiscent of Mexico. I had pina y chile (pineapple and chili pepper) and my daughter had chocolate with some great cinnamon and other spices. There was also the classic strawberry,  a refreshing coconut and delectable blueberry lavendar combinations. It was the perfect refreshment after our hike up "A" mountain.  Let me know what you think! Have a wonderful week! 

Sra. Hamilton

Welcome back!

Welcome back from break, padres! This is the time of the school year where the rubber really hits the road and we make our last efforts in finishing the school year. I was so excited to see the bright shining faces of the kinders! 
We have had a really great week beginning our unit on food or "la comida". We learned the names of common fruits and vegetables with the help our our friend, el loro Tico Tango. If you get the chance, ask your scholar what it was that Tico Tango did when he got hungry and how he resolved the situation. We also took a survey to see what fruits were most popular in each class and played a version of musical chairs using our fruit and vegetable vocabulary. We will continue our study of "la comida" in the weeks to come. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sra. Hamilton

La Oruga Muy Hambrienta

Hola padres! This week I was privileged to introduce La Oruga Muy Hambrienta or The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Of course, most of the students were familiar with this very popular children's book, but it was new to them in Spanish. What this allowed me to do was introduce to them how to say that they were hungry in Spanish. As they worked on their very cute caterpillar craft, I went around the classroom asking them ?la oruga tiene hambre? as I rubbed my belly indicating that I was asking them if their caterpillar was hungry. They did a good job of saying, "Si, tiene hambre."

Another way I tried to emphasize this concept was asking them at lunch as they walked by with their hot lunches, ?tienes hambre tu? again rubbing my belly indicating to them that I was asking them if they were hungry. I hope to actually step into their classrooms next week during their lunch to drill them all on if they are hungry or not. Hopefully, this will work out and they will more fully understand the concept of how they feel around lunch time.

All for now!
Adios,
Sra. Hamilton