Miércoles 26 de Marzo, 2014

¡¡Llegó la Primavera!!

Spring has arrived!!

            

          Yes, although rain was falling outside, we celebrated the arrival of the season. Your young scholars assured me this was a Spring rain, and included la lluvia (the rain) in the vocabulary list of things which announce the transition from Winter. They should have a list of these vocabulary terms in their binders. Please have them read them and, if needed, translate them to you. 

           Students were provided with a set of words from which they constructed sentences ranging from the grammatically correct, to the creatively whimsical. The end result was success and fun for all.

           
           I received an e-mail the day after our class letting me know that five stuffed figures were reportedly missing from classroom # 2 after our class met. They were part of a project Ms. Courneen's class is working on, and therefore very much missed. Since this was announced to the other Spanish teachers, two of the items have been returned. As far as I know, three are still missing. I am hoping the missing items were simply misplaced in the classroom, but if by chance one of our students adopted one by accident, Ms. Courneen and her students would love to have them back.

          We won't meet next Wednesday April 2nd due to Spring Break. I look forward to our next class on Wednesday April 9th. Until then, I wish your families a peaceful and relaxing Spring Break.

          By the way, you may want to have a look at this dictionary site. I find very useful and easy to use. 

Saludos cordiales,

Señor Lobo

Miércoles 19 de Marzo, 2014

Estimados Padres,

            This class was led by Fabricio, the instructor for the Los Chicos 2 Intermidiate course. My mother Norma, otherwise known as Abuela Loba, (Grandma Wolf), assisted. There was a review of Empanadas including the vocabulary related to their preparation. The students learned the name of fillings, ingredients and cooking tools and used drawings as identifiers. They also recorded, in detail, the steps necessary to form the tasty treats. Meanwhile I was with Los Chiquitos in room # 14 along with my daughter Elena - Señorita Loba (Miss Wolf), substituting for instructor Lucy and her assistant Rocío. 

           Los Chicos took up birthday celebrations, though unfortunately (again), one of the birthday boys was absent.The class got another chance to practice the birthday song joined by the Los Chicos 2 group. Abuela Loba could not let them end the class without a treat of course - she brought mini flans baked at home, which were served along with Dulce de Leche (Milk Jam) - a caramel like spread. Abuela tells me it was quite a hit...

          Next Wednesday I should be back in room # 2 with Los Chicos.

Hasta entonces (Until then).
         
Señor Lobo

Miércoles 12 de Marzo, 2014

Buenos Días,

            During this class we had the privilege of celebrating the birthdays of two classmates - Ari and Aidan. Unfortunately we will have to hold off celebrating Aidan's birth until next week as he was unable to attend this weeks class. For the occasion we learned a version of the birthday song: Felíz Cumpleaños (Happy Birthday). It was an easy song to learn since it fallows the same melody as the English version. Your child should have the Spanish lyrics, printed in blue paper, in their binder.

           Next came a bit of geografía. Using a printed map of the world (El Mundo) complete with its current political boundaries. Scholars were asked to identify, using a color of their choice, all the countries in the world where Spanish is spoken, including a small dot representing Brooknoll Elementary, Rm. #2. All countries were to be neatly labeled using a sharp pencil for clarity. Not all students were able to finish their map, so please consider doing so at home before next Wednesday.

Until then, les deseo lo mejor (I wish you the best)...
         
Señor Lobo

Miércoles 5 de Marzo, 2014

Queridas Familias,

          To follow up on Krishna's generous treat of Chilean empanadas last week, the kids cooked up a couple of flavors of the Argentine version. For this project, I was lucky enough to have along the very person that taught me to make them. None other than mi Mamá or Abuela (Grandma), as she was introduced to the class. We were also lucky to be joined by the Los Chicos 2 Intermediate group, as well as to receive permission to use the ovens in the lunch room in order to bake the empanadas.

           Though challenging to some, every student was able to make at least one of the tasty treats containing either a corn or beef filling. Most left the classroom with a bag of five to share with their families. Overall the project was successful, fun and, of course, flavorful. Empanadas were delivered to the school office as well as to Ms. Courneen; the teacher hosting our class.

          Our day ended with another quick look at Ojos de Dios projects; some of which were taken home for further progress.

          This week we also had the pleasure of meeting Noah Lorenz, a transfer student from the Chiquitos group who came to get a feel for Los Chicos. Noah settled quickly into the group and participated fully.

Hasta el próximo miércoles,

Señor Lobo