Maestra Rosana

¡HOLA!
Muchas Gracias for all your support and enthusiasm toward the Spanish language and culture. Your kids show it every time they walk into my classroom.

Again, take advantage of the opportunities our community is offering on the occasion of celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out http://www.hispanicprwire.com/generarnews.php?l=in&id=12434&cha=3 and/or http://www.gophila.com/Go/PressRoom/pressreleases/ for activities in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Remember that children under 12 have free admission to the Philadelphia Art Museum, and, I understand, Sundays are ‘pay as you wish’ from 1 to 5. Also, we will be reinforcing what we learned about Diego Rivera last year. Try to visit the murals in Philadelphia.

5th grade students are organizing a Hispanic Heritage Celebration in mid November for the whole Lower School. Every classroom will present their own research on specific ways the Latino culture and people have positively influence our own culture and society. I will keep you posted on our progress. To mantain the motivation and involvement, make a habit to ask your children what they have learned and done in Spanish class, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for lower school and Thursdays for Pre-K.

3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are also using the dictionary to express themselves in class, or in writing. If you can’t find what you are looking for, try www.wordreference.com.

We continue our journey exploring each other and building vocabulary on how to ask and give personal information, as well as useful phrases in class:
Classroom vocabulary:
• Date
• School supplies
• Asking for something: tissues, markers, etc
• Asking permission to do something: using the bathroom, sharpening pencils, etc.
• Understanding when to get into a circle, line, half circle, etc
• Class routines: standing up, putting away supplies, etc.
• Work directions: writing, drawing, saying, etc

Personal Information:
• Giving and asking names
• Asking and giving information about preferences: colors, places, activities, etc
• Birthdays

Skills
• Use of the dictionary (2nd to 5th grade)
• Connecting mental pictures with vocabulary.
• Understanding the written patterns of Spanish.
• Feeling comfortable with the guessing part of learning a new language and the chances to get it wrong. Seeing it more as a game.
• Listening to stories (picture books) and figuring out the story.

I am committed to making the learning of Spanish enjoyable. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions. Drop in on Tuesdays or Thursdays mornings for some Spanish fun.
Maestra Rosana