Fun with the Sunflowers!

Student(s) of the Month: May and June edition!

Alright, I know May is almost over... and April's students didn't have to share the fame... but hey... May crept up on me! and all of a sudden it's June... yikes!

Daisys: 

Isamu, Grace

Hummingbirds: 

Olivia, Addison

Caterpillars: 

Julia, Addison

Rainbows: 

Seth, Olivia

Sunflowers:

Rayne, Tyler

Butterflies: 

Vinnie, Lan

Grasshoppers: 

Ashley, Shruti

Dragonflies: 

Paige, Malia

***Don't worry pictures and descriptions to follow!!!

Bilingualism! ¡Si se puede!

Here are a few articles I came across on the topic of bilingualism, they talk about what exactly it means to be bilingual, how to nurture it and ideas for bilingual and monolingual parents!!! 

QUE PASA, MOMMY?

Raising A Bilingual Child Takes Time And Dedication. Here’s Why It’s Worth It

By Susan Hayes

Twenty-something years after studying French in college, I can barely understand, much less speak, read, or write, a word of French. But as someone who, like most New Yorkers, is appreciative of other languages and cultures, I sure wish I could. I still hold out hope that I’ll re-learn French someday, but it certainly never occurred to me that even without classes at the Alliance Francaise, it’s possible for a person who is monolingual like I am to raise a bilingual child. When Naomi Steiner, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in Boston, invited me to work with her on her new book, “7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child,” I found out there were a lot of things about bilingualism I didn’t know. Here, Steiner, who is raising her own two children to be multilingual, shares some advice for anyone hoping to teach his or her child a second language.

What is bilingualism, exactly? 

Instead of complicated definitions, as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, I prefer to take a practical and inclusive approach. If you understand a second language without being able to speak it, that’s called passive bilingualism. The next level of proficiency is being able to speak the language, at least enough to be able to carry on a conversation. The highest level of proficiency is to master reading and writing in the second language. Any level of proficiency can be used as a stepping stone to achieve the next.

What sets bilingualism apart from other hot, new developmental trends that have burst on the scene and then faded away? 

Interest in raising children bilingual is not going to fade away because globalization is here, and parents know that. Parents, whether they are monolingual or bilingual, realize how important it is for their children to know more than one language and to be aware of other cultures. And if you take a look, commercial TV is reacting to this growing public sentiment by offering shows like “Dora the Explorer” and “Maya and Miguel.”

When is the best age to begin learning a second language? 

Research shows the earlier the better, because with age, there is a decline in the brain’s ability to pick up a language. However, it is never too late: Adults can and do learn foreign languages. But I always tell parents to just start, because putting it off often means never starting.

Even in a cosmopolitan city like New York, many of us are monolingual in English. Can a monolingual English parent raise a bilingual child? 

Absolutely, regardless of whether you, the parent, are monolingual or bilingual, your child’s brain is ready to learn two languages. As a monolingual parent, however, you will need more outside support to provide sufficient “language input” for your child. But living in a city like New York puts you at great advantage. If you regularly use a babysitter or daycare provider, my number one suggestion is to find one who speaks the language you’d like your child to learn. I have interviewed a number of monolingual parents whose children have become proficient in Mandarin Chinese thanks to their babysitters. I also encourage parents to learn the language along with their children because they feel more part of the process that way, which is important.

Will a babysitter be enough? 

The pace at which your child picks up the second language will be proportional to the amount of exposure to that language. I encourage parents to shift activities to the second language. Watch DVDs only in French, for example, or do computer activities in Spanish. My favorite tip for finding activities in your chosen language is to go to the web sites of TV stations in the country where your chosen language is spoken. Those sites offer an array of activities, stories, and games that are educational and age-appropriate, and may even feature characters your child is already familiar with.

What about the foreign language classes offered in schools? 

Unfortunately, many U.S. public school foreign language programs are still one step behind ensuring that a child graduates with the ability to speak a second language fluently. Usually, classes don’t start in early elementary grades, and frequently the sequencing from elementary to middle and then to high school is not continuous. Finally, the number of hours invested is insufficient. I strongly encourage parents to become informed about the foreign language options that are available in their school district and to speak up if they would like to see changes made.

How long does it take for a child to learn a second language? 

It depends on the child, but usually if a child is immersed into the language she will be able to chat well after around one or two years. To master the language at the academic level, enough to be able to succeed in a classroom setting where the instruction is given in that language, however, you need to add around 5 years.

What are some things that can happen early on in the process that tend to discourage parents? 

Don’t be discouraged if your child wants to speak English all the time instead of the second language. This is normal from a developmental perspective—your child wants to do what he sees his friends doing. So take some time to explain to him why this is important to you, be honest, and be prepared to repeat yourself. Your child will come around, and be proud of being bilingual.

To read the full article click here!

Other articles/blogs to take a look at!

How to Raise a Bilingual Child

  

Nurturing Bilingualism in Children

Examples of Monolingual Parents Raising Bilingual Children:

Hobo Mama Blog

Moms Gone Global Blog

Students of the Month (April Edition)

Students of the Month!

So as I mentioned before every month I’ll highlight someone in each of the classes who is doing exceptionally well in Spanish! The first students I chose sort of encompass March and April, I guess March gave me the chance to get to know everyone and these are the students who really stuck out!

For the month of April it was:

Hummingbirds- Alex      

I chose Alex, because although he doesn’t talk much, he will make a lot of the hand gestures of the songs, and listens intently and will say a lot of the sound words, for example at the end of the araña arañita song… I always say “uh oh” like I am sad for the spider… and he gets excited to say it with me. Also instead of repeating he will point to things in the classroom like if I say “perro” he will say “woof” and point to a dog! It’s fun watching him grow and participate more and more each day.

Daisies- Olivia

Ha, Olivia is the toddler superstar! No doubt about it. It’s super evident the work that she is doing at home, but also she just genuinely gets excited about Spanish. Any time the daisies are walking down the hall… I’ll hear “baila baila baila” or if I walk  by “baila baila?” sort of like a question, like please Ms. Jessie sing it! Ha, she picks up on so much! She had food memorized in the first week. She is always the one to repeat back, and takes it a step further by picking up a horse and saying “Caballo.” She can name all of her body parts, a ton of food names, and she can have simple conversations. She is legitimately impressive… hopefully I’ll catch her showing off on video so I can share!

Caterpillars- Elliot

Elliot! He is a silent little killer. He might not repeat back too much but when it’s time to quiz him, that’s when he likes to shine. He likes to be the only voice talking, because he knows them all! I think he has a competitive side to him. I guess we’ll learn a bit more later on! I bet when he transitions he will thrive with the challenge!

Rainbows- Ginger

Ginger makes it look so easy, we’ll learn new words and the next day she’ll remember them all! Her accent, as well, is super impressive! Not everyone can do a good “perro,” but she sure does. She talks very clearly which is impressive for a two year old! She can easily answer questions like “¿Cómo estás? “¿Cómo te llamas?” There are a few kids in the Rainbow classroom that do a great job of setting the example and Ginger is definitely one of them.

Sunflowers- Langston

Langston is a ball of energía, he smiles a ton... a big huge smile (which I adore) and gets everyone else in class excited! He is always trying to sing along or when we read books he repeats what I’m saying. He also likes to translate to make sure everyone is on the same page! 

Butterflies- Aubrey
Aside from Aubrey's fantastic style (Toms Shoes!!!), she is such a smarty pants! I guess it would be safe to say that the Butterfly room lacks a little leadership, but during Spanish whether she realizes it or not... the kids wait to hear what Aubrey is going to say then they repeat what she says. She is a sweet heart and listens and always sets a great example for everyone else! 

Grasshoppers- Salvador

My favorite memory so far is from the very first day of Spanish class and the ginormous smile on Salvador's face when I began speaking in Spanish. He says "I know that!" I held up some cards and he was just beaming... I held up a milk card and he says in the sweetest tiniest voice..."lechita." Everyone else is like "Noooo! That's not it!!" Then I had to explain that, they are both right... it was a crash course in diminutives! But I think as everyone is learning Spanish they are getting the hang of knowing that there are many ways to say one thing!! 

Dragonflies- Olivia 
Olivia my first week teaching was like a phenom! (Don't worry she still continues to be, but am mildly scared I'm not challenging her enough!) She has the most authentic accent! She rolls her R's!!! Yayy she says the worlds so perfectly! It makes me envious I didn't start learning Spanish when I was her age. She has an uncanny ability to remember new vocab from day one to day two... When I review she is the only one talking!! She is awesome! I think it has a lot to do with her dad Speaking to her in Spanish saying whatever he knows, but even more so just encouraging her to use it! 

Still Catching Up!!

Alright so spiders just about rounded out our April Spring theme, and Cinco de Mayo kicked off our month of May! I'm sure parents saw our Piñata... pink large... a bit scary... and coincidentally locked away behind a masking tape bull pen... funny because really I was just trying to keep grabby hands off.. but then ironic because he/she was a bull/cow.... (you decide...??) Well, the piñata turned out wonderfully, I apologize to parents for the blue candy... and so much of it.. I anticipated more participants... in fact only the Grasshoppers and Dragonflies did participate. It turned out great.. we played pin the tail on the burro in the  Rainbow and Sunflower classrooms and made Mexican mosaic Flags and Chili peppers and sombreros... which we strung into a garland... while we listened to Spanish music! It was a fun little fiesta.

 Here's Ms. Betsy helping me fill up the piñata!

 Louis and Kobe from the Rainbow room are decorating the maracas! "Maracas" aka small paper plates stapled together and filled with rice decorated on the outside! Easy, fun, activities!!! The latest and greatest trick I have discovered for art projects... instead of coloring or painting... just cut up a ton of old construction paper into confetti like size (if you have time... make shapes.. I did that and in the Sunflower room they kept saying look Ms. Jess it's a triangle..)... and then PAINT the glue onto what you will be decorating and go ahead and sprinkle it on! It's fun for the kids easy to do and clean up! 

Rainbows decorating maracas!

Griffin!

 So again: Mosaics. Project: Cut up/Rip up the construction paper colors you want to use... give everybody a pile... paint the spots to be decorated with glue... and let them go to town... easy peasy and can work on almost ANY project!

Alright so apparently I went over board for Cinco de Mayo with the confetti trick! But they turned out great!

Made them into a garland!!! 

Here he/she is!

I should have named 'em. Yes it is still sitting in the Spanish area... bodiless... if anyone would prefer I move it.... I will. I just think it's so cute... but if it is creepy just sitting there just let me know. OH speaking of letting me know things... There is a marker board in the Spanish area... where any parent can feel free to write me a message!!! 

Santori going to town on the Piñata!

Burke and his baseball stance...ahahah.... please watch the video of Burke hitting the piñata probably the cutest thing I've ever seen... especially the part where Mayson (as he always does :)) yells "You can do it Burke!" Ha... I'm pleased to make you smile!! Enjoy!!

  

Catching Up!

Well, It sure took awhile for all the photo releases to get signed...(tisk tisk!) so I mildly gave up hope on my blog... thinking that parents would never actually see it!! HOWEVER, they are all in and everyone should be getting the link soon!!! Therefore, I must CATCH-Up!! Ahhhh! Alright well, let me start with some past Projects. I'm sure parents were brought home either arañas to color, or arañas we made out of construction paper. I hope that instructions were followed and everyone sang the Araña, Arañita song to you!!! Please let me know if this happened... because boy oh boy do they love that song, and they are all so good at it... I have to believe with complete certainty you have heard "boom se cayó " at least a few times around the house?!??! Hopefully I have a video somewhere, where I can upload one of the classes singing it! I'll look around! But for right now here are a few photos of our spider project! 

Here is Ginger from the Rainbows diligently gluing on her spider legs. Pretty impressive for two year olds!! 

Cutie-Pie-Camera-Shy Yaron, admiring his handy work! With Nolita in the background gluing!!!

Here is a video of the Grasshoppers showing off their Spiders and singing skills!

In case you can't exactly understand here is how the song goes:

Araña Arañita sube las escaleras

Araña Arañita súbelas otra vez

Boom se cayó

Boom se cayó  

Vino un sapo gordo

(ribbit ribbit)

¡Y se la comió!

More spider handiwork by the Dragonflies!

Chicaaraña Ashley y chicoaraña Abdula :)

Songs (again)

Dearest Parents y families,

In the last newsletter I talked about how I would be getting CD's together! Well, they are together! Ms. Tracey bought two CD's: Spanish Playtime and Jorge Anaya's  ¡A Bailar! Both links go straight to a lyrics page, where you can find the words to all of the songs! Other CD's available are ¡Me gustan los colores! and Around the World with Language Stars, the Spanish portion only! So, please let me know which ones you would like, either tell me in the comments portion or on the marker board on the Spanish wall!!  I will get lyrics together for the other CD's no se preocupen! 

Ms. Jessie