Spanish Easter Activity

March 28, 2013

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It’s Semana Santa and we did this simple Easter project to build Spanish vocabulary, spelling and conversation. Thanks to Mommy Maestra and SpanglishBaby for providing free printables! I also printed free Easter images from First Palette and created this for the boys.

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Diego did the Mommy Maestra’s Palabras plurales first and we read the SpanglishBaby vocab and coloring sheet to Santi.

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Diego used the vocabulary words to identify the images I glued down. I made sure to scatter them around and repeat some of the images so he can write the vocab words over and over.

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An activity for all ages! Diego and I helped review colors in Spanish for Santi. We spoke Spanish for over thirty minutes!

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Eventually, Diego stopped looking at the worksheets to write the Spanish words!!

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Diego waiting patiently for el color rojo!

You can do these types of Spanish vocabulary projects with any theme! I think I’ll do a Spring one next!

Have a fantastic Easter weekend!!!

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Mas Corazones

February 7, 2013

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So there is something about Valentine’s Day and Spanish projects that go hand in hand around here! The truth is I had to mix up our activities, workbooks and reading projects in Spanish with the boys so I thought, I need different ideas to go along with what we already do. I was also inspired by the work of the Latino Cultural Academy, I am reading Bilingual Is Better: Two Latina Moms on How the Bilingual Parenting Revolution is Changing the Face of America, and I am looking into Bilingual Buds near our home for a week or two of full Spanish immersion (perhaps even Mandarin??) over the summer!

I am on the lookout for my family and yours! I borrowed this latest Spanish colors, math and science idea from one of Diego’s homework assignments. I just translated it! This was perfect for both boys, Diego who is in kindergarten and for our two year-old Santi. [Read more...]

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Corazoncitos

February 1, 2013

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When Diego came home from school a few days ago, I had these construction paper hearts cut out and ready for him. I asked him to tell me what he loved the most in his life right now. We then made a list and translated the words to Spanish. We also translated common Valentine’s Day words. Most importantly, this small project definitely opened up a cute conversation between the two of us.

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Jajaja! I love cookies too!

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Diego helped me arrange the Spanish hearts into a wreath. It is now hanging in their “study”. I smile every time I see it.

We have been reading our Valentine’s Day books as well! Check them out! And don’t forget to enter my Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

Do you have creative/decorative Valentine’s Day activities to share? Would love to know!!

P.S. That little white heart on the right does not say “tequila” (although the adults around here love it very much). The heart says “Te Quiero”. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Warm Up! Valentine’s Day Books

January 25, 2013

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It’s almost time! I LOVE Valentine’s Day and it’s almost here! We just received these books I ordered on amazon! I think that for my boys, as long as they enjoy reading, they definitely won’t mind these funny and tender books about el dia del amor y la amistad!

My 5 picks:

Valentine’s Day Is.

Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine

Duck & Goose, Goose Needs a Hug

Where Is Baby’s Valentine?: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Feliz dia de la amistad, Gus

What’s your little one’s favorite love story or book? Please add to this list in the comments below!

Oooh and come back to enter my Valentine’s Day Giveaway for you and a little love!! Coming soon!

Have a great weekend!

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My First Teacher

September 17, 2012

My mom is here again! It’s been such a treat! She has been here three times since the birth of Jordi. We are very fortunate. You all know how much I love my mom and having her around to do things like this with my boys is a bonus!

I was finishing up tonight’s dinner and I peaked in the sunroom to see what Diego and Santi were doing. I found Diego next to my mom working on his Spanish reading. Santi was at their feet playing with cars but listening intently to Tita and Diego read from our Spanish books.

The scene brought be back to 24th and Drake in Chicago where my mom would sit with us in the kitchen to read. All my early memories of reading are set in that tiny kitchen! I remember her reading to us. I also remember the thick, red and white ESL textbooks she shared with my dad. I liked to flip through them and read the conversation bubbles on top of each cartoon. And later, I remember reading aloud from a children’s Bible in Spanish. I remember the images of all those books. And I’ll never forget these images of her helping me teach my children.

What are you feeling this Monday morning? I’m happy to be pampered yet another week! I have a haircut scheduled too! Ha! Can you tell I don’t get out much? Have a great week everyone!

Your friend,

Betty

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Bilingual Myths

May 24, 2012


I love this and I came across it on Pinterest today. I also discovered this great blog, Multilingual Living.

I’m happy to report that Diego is getting along really well with my parents in Spanish! When my mom arrived three weeks ago, his Spanish was a little rusty but just this week, as my dad arrived, he has really flourished! He still makes mistakes, no one laughs or teases, we correct him subtlety, and move on. He is quite confident and when he doesn’t know how to say something he asks. Perfect!

Santi is only about to turn 18 months but understands everything in Spanish and English and has more than twenty words in his vocabulary (ardilla, baseball, gracias, and agua to name a few)!

So there are myths about raising bilingual children, but really no need to fear. The one I hear a lot from concerned parents is Myth #1 shown above. I haven’t had a problem with the boys taking their time to speak…actually we welcome a bit of silence around here! Jajaja! We are a chatty family and love when my parents tease us about how much everyone talks and often at the same time!

We will continue to work on practicing a lot of Spanish after my parents leave with our little tricks and efforts. How’s it going at your house? Would love to hear some more tips! Hasta la proxima.

Your friend,

Betty

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