A Fun and Simple Idea to Keep Track of All The Games and Songs You Teach!

This is a simple idea to keep track of all the games and songs you teach during the school year. I use different containers and baskets for each grade level. I use clothespins and glue happy faces on the top to make them cute and give them some character. I use permanent markers to write the names of the songs and games we’ve learned during the school year. You could do this during the school year and gradually add the clothespins  to the basket. 


I use this idea at the beginning of the class as a warm up, for game day, or simply to end a unit. Before using this activity I collect all the props necessary for each game or song: bingo, memory games, balls, or any material needed to make this happen.



Playing the game
I do this in two different ways. Sometimes I just call a volunteer to pick a random clothespin. I also have the class sit in a circle and then pass a ball in the circle while playing music. I close my eyes while stopping the music, and whoever has the ball at that time will choose the activity from the basket. 
To keep track of the games and songs we’ve done, I just place the clothespin on the top of the container just as you see it in the picture below.


Give it a try, and you will be amazed to see how much you have done with your classes.

Have fun singing and playing!
Carolina


BookLingual: Books That Promote Bilingualism {Review & Giveaway}


Finding literature that promotes bilingualism is not an easy task, but if you are in search of some of the best, BookLingual is a great resource for you. Their e-books are perfect for beginner readers and will challenge students to use both languages. The stories are written in both English and Spanish. Their books also do a nice job of inviting parents to become active participants in a child’s learning process and development as a bilingual person.  Each book is presented in a way that helps out parents that might feel frustrated or inadequate when they don’t understand the story in a book, and gives them a figurative pronunciation (let’s face it, a lot of the challenges our children face come from parents’ own feelings of inadequacy or fear, conscious or not). Each book also includes animated audio in English and Spanish to read along. Their books come in four levels and can be used with children ages 2 years to 8 years old.

The characters in the stories are fun and invite children to continue reading the stories to learn more about each of them. Some of the books use real pictures – a plus when teaching young learners. Many of the stories are based on everyday situations will can help children make connections and comparisons with real life. Some of the situations could have been experienced by the children, which will make each book even more meaningful.


One of my favorite books in the set is this guessing book. I think it is a good way to play with language and get everyone involved, plus the pictures are just amazing! 


Each book also includes games where children have to guess words, find what could be wrong in pictures, and respond to basic questions. The set also comes with a parent guide that will give you support and ideas on how to explore and use the books.  It also includes a pronunciation guide and basic grammar for parents and educators who are interested in expanding their knowledge.
The best is that the books can be used anywhere and on any device with the right app: iPods, iPad’s, iPhones, smartphones, tablets, Nooks and Kindles, etc.. You can even print each book!

Whether you are an educator or a parent, BookLingual will support your interest and wish to raise bilingual children. To learn more about BookLingual, visit their website or/and like their Facebook page to stay tuned.


Click HERE to preview this book!

Giveaway Time!
Here is also an opportunity for you to have their fantastic materials! BookLingual is giving away their Complete Spanish for Kids Set – 32 E- Bilingual Books Just enter below to participate. The winner will be announced on June 19th, 2013. This giveaway is open to anyone world wide! 

¡Buena suerte!
Carolina


*This product was sent to me by BookLingual to be reviewed. This represents my opinion about the product. 

Conversa Books: Fun and Engaging Workbooks for Spanish Class {Review & Giveaway}


Nothing is more exciting than finding great resources for Spanish class (okay, other than maybe traveling to Spain or Latin America on an extended, stress-free vacation …). Conversa books will get any teacher ready to teach Spanish and will help you present the language in a fun way. What I like the most about Conversa books is that the language is not presented as several isolated vocabulary words. Conversa does a great job of presenting the language in context. This helps teach students to identify main and important words in a sentence and learn how to decode them to find meaning. These books are good for classroom use or to extend learning at home. They can be used with children who are exploring the language or with native speakers. The sets are divided into elementary and middle school levels which will help you transition and have a consistent program.  The program starts in 1st grade and goes all the way up to 8th grade. The illustrations are clear, fun and engaging.


This is a teacher’s dream! Every story in these books invites movement and taps clearly into TPR. Each book includes a teacher’s guide with tons of ideas and games that will save you a lot of time when planning for your classes. The teacher’s guide states the objective for every lesson, the materials needed, how the lesson should be introduced, gestures for each story, engaging activities, questions to ask while presenting the story, cultural information, simple crafts to make, and a lot of learning and fun! It also suggests songs for every lesson. The books provide a lot of repetition and model the Spanish language to invite  students to later create their own compositions and stories.

Another important feature about this program is that there is no need to be an experienced storyteller or know everything about TPR to use these books in your classroom. Conversa Books will show you everything and will guide you through every step!

Visit Conversa Books to learn more about the program. Stay connected on Facebook to receive updates about sales, freebies for teachers, teaching tips and more!

Giveaway Time!
I know you would love to have this set for your classes. Here is an opportunity for you to have it! Conversa Books is giving away their Elementary Teachers’ Starter Kit. Just enter below to participate. The winner will be announced on June 12th, 2013. United States only.

¡Buena Suerte!
Carolina
Fun For Spanish Teachers

Bilingual Songs For Your Classroom {Review & Giveaway}

There is nothing like learning a language with good music that inspires not only children but also grown ups. This is what I feel when I listen to the “Here from There” music CD, that the songs are suitable for any age.

This CD is filled with 10  songs that would enrich just about any curriculum and can bring joy to any home. Some of the songs are in English, some are in Spanish, and some are bilingual.
Nathalia is completely bilingual — a major plus when looking for songs to teach a language to children. She also brings alive many rhythms from Colombia, especially from the coast. One of my favorite songs is called “Mi Carrito” (My Little Car) which literally will make you feel that you are in El Carnaval de Barranquilla, and you will feel transported straight to the festivities.
Nathalia is orginally from Colombia and is an experienced musician who graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Her CD clearly reflects her love for music and children. You can learn more about Nathalia on her website “More Than Música” and stay connected with her on Facebook.
Want This Awesome Music CD? A lucky reader will get to have this music CD and bring the party and learning home.The winner will be announced on my blog on June 7th, 2013.
*USA& Canada only!
Entere Here!
¡Buena Suerte!
Carolina
Fun For Spanish Teachers

*This music CD was sent to me by More Than Música to be reviewed. This represents my opinion about the product.