After singing our Buenos Dias and Good Morning song, we read Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? by Eric Carle. Krista finished off our Morning Gathering with some yummy yoga before we lined up to wash hands for snack. Since we have a larger group of children now, we have been working on walking to the restroom and sitting on the new colorful circles while we wait in line for our turn. Many of the children choose to read a book while they wait. After handwashing, they grab their waterbottles off the tray and choose a place to sit at the large table in the Atelier for their morning snack. Our friends are doing a wonderful job getting this rhythm down!Building on yesterday’s watercolor, pipette, and coffee filter exploration, in the Atelier today we explored with liquid watercolors on diffusing paper. The children are aware that the liquid watercolors are very concentrated and that a little goes a long way. When Allie began moving the watercolor from her tray to her diffusing paper, she exclaimed, “look, it’s spreading!"After our friends carefully placed their pieces on the drying rack, we moved outside again for some fresh air before moving into the classroom. Allie, Ava, Mia and Anika took turns painting on the large canvas which is hanging from the wall and also enjoyed chatting with Ryland who was visiting (and will be joining us next week!)
In the classroom, Damon got right to building in the block area and worked on stacking the pink tower. Mia and Allie played in the playstand, then had a puppet show. Damon joined in on the puppet show and asked me “Ms Andrea, did you like my puppet show with Bobe?”
Ava brought me ¿El Canguro Tiene Mamá? (Spanish version of Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?) and asked me to read it. Ava and Anika enjoyed repeating and chanting the animal names in Spanish (Giraffe = Jirafa, Lion = León, Sheep = Oveja) and Ava said that she “knows and loves Spanish.” Anika then informed me that she knows Spanish as well! ;) I just love their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn the language and I’ve considered breaking out more often into full dialogue with them for more immersion. I will, of course, repeat what I've said in English, so they understand. They all have mastery of the English language and what a perfect way to introduce Spanish in a more natural way. What do you think? I had [conversational] mastery of both languages when I was 4 because my maternal grandmother only knew Spanish and my father only knew English. I feel very fortunate to know Spanish and only regret not speaking it more. The saying is true--if you don't use it, you lose it.
Speaking of Spanish books, I do have a couple board books that are still checked out to families. When you have a moment, please send back to school.
Muchas Gracias!
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5 comments:
I am all for speaking Spanish to the kids. Damon will randomly ask me how to say something in Spanish. I try to give him words in English and Spanish, but my conversational Spanish is horrid.
Si, habla con ellos en espanol lo mas posible - que bueno!
Obviously, I think the Spanish immersion is wonderful and its so good for their little brains - órale!
Thanks for the update on the routine - its good to how Allie's day is structured. And is she ever getting into the routine! Out of the blue today, she told me about the morning gathering, lining up for the bathroom, and eating snack. She's quickly getting into the Terra Luz groove - I'm amazed at how well organized, in tune, and purposeful you all are!
Would love as much Spanish exposure as possible, Andrea! Of course, Jalie's not in your group, but I know you also speak Spanish often in the full class settings, which is so wonderful.
when I speak hindi Anika insists its spanish!? what of my heritage? haha! love the Spanish immersion, the more languages the better I say..
I'm all for the Spanish immersion! Ava has been teaching me words here and there.:-) She still does not think I have enough skills to read to her in Spanish...and she is right.:-)
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