the weather, days of the week and Hansel and Gretel

Hola padres! One thing I have forgotten to mention in my last few posts is that I have been able to read Spanish versions of some of the fairy tales that the first graders have read in class. Last week we read Hansel and Gretel. With Mr. Record's class I was able to have the scholars list all the familiar Spanish words that they recognized throughout the story and in Mrs. Baird's class, we were able to create a Venn diagram which allowed us to compare the story that the scholars had read in class with the story that I had read to them. It was interesting how the stories differed and were the same and what they remembered from each telling. I really enjoy being able to encompass Spanish class with what they are learning in their core classes. 

This week was perfect timing to introduce the weather as our own weather seems to be changing outside as well. This doesn't happen very often in Arizona, so I am thankful that the scholars can practice the different kinds of weather since it is actually happening outside. We have learned está lloviendo, está nublado, hace buen tiempo, hace mal tiempo, está nevando, hace sol y hace viento. We are playing a couple of games that help the scholars practice these terms and are talking about the weather quite a bit when we are outside at P.E. Next week we will continue with these terms and also talk and read a little about Thanksgiving. 

Sing 'N Speak has some really great stories that mostly use the vocabulary that we have learned this year. I have spent some time this week reading these stories in class and it is neat for them to see when they realize how much of the story they actually understand. They really enjoy this. We are also continuing on practicing our days of the week with songs. 

Lastly, for those of you with daughters, please remember to send them to school with shorts under their jumpers for P.E. Sometimes our activities require that they do crab walk and such and it is much easier for them if they are comfortable with what they are wearing. The same goes for shoes. Tennis shoes are much better for P.E. than flats. If you are in Ms. Kim or Ms. Keating's class P.E. is on Monday and Thursday. If you are in Mr. Record or Mrs. Baird's class, P.E. is on Tuesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays alternate between all four classes, so that is hard to keep track of I know. Kinder is on a three day rotating schedule and that isn't easy to follow either. Whatever you can do is greatly appreciated. Gracias!

I won't update again until the week of December (!) 2nd as next week is a short week. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Sinceramente,
Sra. Hamilton