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Chocolate caliente mmmmm!


It's that time of year, the days are getting colder and you just want to snuggle up with a warm cup of hot chocolate...o sea, chocolate caliente! I'm not a big fan of packet-made hot chocolate- but Mexican? Ay, pero sí!

Every year I make a big batch of chocolate caliente for my students, usually either my Kinders or First Graders (that's enough for 60-85 kids each grade level depending on the year!), we learn the Bate, bate, chocolate song, and have fun sending the molinillo around so kiddos can try it out. Here is a basic recipe with amounts adjusted in parenthesis indicating enough for a class of 20 kiddos. Note: when serving to my class, I usually fill a styrofoam cup about 1/2 way to be sure everyone gets a taste.

Ingredientes:
2 tazas de leche (un galón de leche)
una ramita de canela (2-3 ramitas de canela)
una tablilla de chocolate (6 tablillas de chocolate, a veces más)

Preparación:
-Poner la leche en una olla o cacerola con la ramita de canela
-Calentarla hasta que esté a punto de hervir
-Agregar la tablilla de chocolate a la leche y dejar que se derrite
-Retirar del fuego y quitar la ramita de canela
-Batir el chocolate con un molinillo hasta que se espume
-Servir en tazas

UPDATE: Using a crockpot makes this process so much easier. To do: put all the ingredients in the crockpot, set it on low and have it do it's magic for about 2 hours. So easy!!

dos molinillos


Now in English :)
Ingredients:
2 cups of milk (1 gallon of milk)
1 cinnamon stick (2-3 cinnamon sticks)
one bar of Mexican chocolate (6 bars of Mexican chocolate, sometimes more)

To Prepare:
-Put the milk in a pot with the cinnamon stick
-Warm the milk until it is just about to boil
-Add the chocolate and let it melt into the milk
-Remove from the stove and take out the cinnamon stick
-Beat the hot chocolate with a molinillo (or beater if you don't have one) until it is frothed
-Serve in a cup :)

If you are inspired to make chocolate caliente, let me know! And visit our TpT store to find our minibook 'Olivia hace chocolate caliente' + Activity Pack

Get it here!

Making Paper Marigolds Step by Step in your classroom

Making paper marigolds is a wonderful way to bring a hands on activity to your classroom during El Día de los Muertos, something your students will surely remember! Over the years, I have found being prepared ahead of time, and going step by step, using kid friendly instructions, makes all the difference, especially when class only lasts a short time (in my case, I have kiddos for 30 minute classes). Here is what it looks like in my room:

The Prep:
I usually do this project with my Second Graders and since my classes are short, I like to have some steps done ahead of time to be sure we can get the flowers done in one shot. First, I cut green pipe cleaners in half. I also create name tags, put their names on them, punch a hole in each one, and attach a pipe cleaner to each one. Next, I take four sheets of tissue paper (I buy it already cut into squares) and make the first fold- folding the square in half. 



In class:
Since I have three colors of tissue paper, I call each kiddo up and have them choose which they would like (using manners vocab of course!) I also give them their stem at this time.

Once every kiddo has their tissue paper and stem, we begin the construction process. Here are two scripts, one in English (for those who aren't teaching Spanish) and one in Spanish, great for those  shooting for 90%. Projects like this one really lend themselves to using the target language, as long as you go step by step. Note the Spanish is much simpler and more direct than the English, making it perfect for novice learners. Don't forget to demonstrate each step as you give the instructions.

-"Holding the rectangle like a taco, open part up, fold the rectangle in half. Now we have a square."
-"Okis, tenemos un taco. Vamos a doblarlo por la mitad, así'

-"Now we are going to make a pizza slice. Put your scissors in the hand you cut with, and hold the square at the bottom, folded point." (I usually go around to every kiddo to be sure they are holding the right point. Otherwise, there is always at least one flower that ends up being cut in the wrong place and when unfolded, is no longer able to become a flower.)
-"Vamos a hacer una porción (trozo, rebanada) de pizza."

-"Now we are going to cut from one corner to the other in a curve. This will make our pizza slice shape." (I demonstrate before they cut so they can see how it should go. I then walk around and monitor the cutting to be sure they are cutting between the right corners.)
-"Corta el papel de una esquina a la otra así."


-"Now we are going to cut the fringe to make the petals. We are going to cut straight down, not the whole way, along the crust of the pizza slice." (Again, I demonstrate)
-"Ahorita, vamos a hacer los pétalos, cortando así."

-"Now we are going to put the scissors down because we won't need them anymore. Gently unfold the pizza back into the taco shape." (The key word here is gently! I demonstrate this)
-"Guardar las tijeras. Con cuidado, desdoblar las hojas de papel (las capas) así."

-"Now we will unfold the taco into a tortilla. Let's do this gently." (Some kiddos have difficulty with this step, so I go around and help)
-"Desdoblarlas una vez más."


-'Now we will need to insert the stem. Take one sheet at a time and poke the stem through the middle. If we do all four sheets at once, we will increase the chance of ripping the paper, so let's go with just one sheet at a time." (Again, I help with this as necessary)
-"Vamos a pasar el tallo por el centro de cada una de las hojas de papel (las capas), una a la vez, así."



-'Now that all four sheets are on the stem, we need to fold over the top of the stem so the paper stays on the stem." (I demonstrate and help as necessary)
-"Hacerle un doblez al tallo en la punta, así."

-"Right now we have a parasol, but we need a fluffy flower. We are going to scrunch each sheet of paper toward the middle to make it a poofy flower. Be gentle and don't pull the sheets off the stem :) (Again, I go around and help. There is always at least one that comes off the stem lol. Usually it is an easy fix to put it back on the stem. If it is completely ruined, I always have a few in reserve.)
-"Vamos a arrugar las hojas de papel (las capas) para realizar la maravilla, una hoja a la vez, así."



-"Now look at your flower and smile :)"
-"¡Y ya!"
I like to use the flowers to decorate my door and give them back after El Día de los Muertos is over. They make quite an impression! Have fun and enjoy making your own! (And let me know if you use different vocabulary- I love learning new things!)

And check out our printable Spanish minibook perfect for integrating El Día de los Muertos in your classroom. You can purchase it in our shop here.








Making Paper Marigolds Step by Step in your classroom

Making paper marigolds is a wonderful way to bring a hands on activity to your classroom during El Día de los Muertos, something your students will surely remember! Over the years, I have found being prepared ahead of time, and going step by step, using kid friendly instructions, makes all the difference, especially when class only lasts a short time (in my case, I have kiddos for 30 minute classes). Here is what it looks like in my room:

Step by step instructions for making paper marigolds for Days of the Dead

The Prep:
I usually do this project with my Second Graders and since my classes are short, I like to have some steps done ahead of time to be sure we can get the flowers done in one shot. First, I cut green pipe cleaners in half. I also create name tags, put their names on them, punch a hole in each one, and attach a pipe cleaner to each one. Next, I take four sheets of tissue paper (I buy it already cut into squares) and make the first fold- folding the square in half. 



In class:
Since I have three colors of tissue paper, I call each kiddo up and have them choose which they would like (using manners vocab of course!) I also give them their stem at this time.

Once every kiddo has their tissue paper and stem, we begin the construction process. Here are two scripts, one in English (for those who aren't teaching Spanish) and one in Spanish, great for those  shooting for 90%. Projects like this one really lend themselves to using the target language, as long as you go step by step. Note the Spanish is much simpler and more direct than the English, making it perfect for novice learners. Don't forget to demonstrate each step as you give the instructions. And see my video step by step in Spanish on Youtube (please forgive any errors!):



-"Holding the rectangle like a taco, open part up, fold the rectangle in half. Now we have a square."
-"Okis, tenemos un taco. Vamos a doblarlo por la mitad, así'

-"Now we are going to make a pizza slice. Put your scissors in the hand you cut with, and hold the square at the bottom, folded point." (I usually go around to every kiddo to be sure they are holding the right point. Otherwise, there is always at least one flower that ends up being cut in the wrong place and when unfolded, is no longer able to become a flower.)
-"Vamos a hacer una porción (trozo, rebanada) de pizza."

-"Now we are going to cut from one corner to the other in a curve. This will make our pizza slice shape." (I demonstrate before they cut so they can see how it should go. I then walk around and monitor the cutting to be sure they are cutting between the right corners.)
-"Corta el papel de una esquina a la otra así."


-"Now we are going to cut the fringe to make the petals. We are going to cut straight down, not the whole way, along the crust of the pizza slice." (Again, I demonstrate)
-"Ahorita, vamos a hacer los pétalos, cortando así."

-"Now we are going to put the scissors down because we won't need them anymore. Gently unfold the pizza back into the taco shape." (The key word here is gently! I demonstrate this)
-"Guardar las tijeras. Con cuidado, desdoblar las hojas de papel (las capas) así."

-"Now we will unfold the taco into a tortilla. Let's do this gently." (Some kiddos have difficulty with this step, so I go around and help)
-"Desdoblarlas una vez más."


-'Now we will need to insert the stem. Take one sheet at a time and poke the stem through the middle. If we do all four sheets at once, we will increase the chance of ripping the paper, so let's go with just one sheet at a time." (Again, I help with this as necessary)
-"Vamos a pasar el tallo por el centro de cada una de las hojas de papel (las capas), una a la vez, así."



-'Now that all four sheets are on the stem, we need to fold over the top of the stem so the paper stays on the stem." (I demonstrate and help as necessary)
-"Hacerle un doblez al tallo en la punta, así."

-"Right now we have a parasol, but we need a fluffy flower. We are going to scrunch each sheet of paper toward the middle to make it a poofy flower. Be gentle and don't pull the sheets off the stem :) (Again, I go around and help. There is always at least one that comes off the stem lol. Usually it is an easy fix to put it back on the stem. If it is completely ruined, I always have a few in reserve.)
-"Vamos a arrugar las hojas de papel (las capas) para realizar la maravilla, una hoja a la vez, así."



-"Now look at your flower and smile :)"
-"¡Y ya!"
I like to use the flowers to decorate my door and give them back after El Día de los Muertos is over. They make quite an impression! Have fun and enjoy making your own! (And let me know if you use different vocabulary- I love learning new things!)

And check out our printable Spanish minibook and theme pack perfect for integrating El Día de los Muertos in your classroom. You can purchase it in our shop here.

Days of the Dead Theme Pack for Spanish Class









Receta para salsa tipo pico de gallo



The yumminess....a simple recipe which transports my Mexican friends back home :)

Ingredientes:
dos jalapeños picados (two jalapeños, chopped)
tres jitomates picados (three tomatoes, chopped)
una cebolla picada (one onion chopped)
dos dientes de ajo picado (two garlic cloves, chopped)
jugo de un limón verde (juice of one lime)
una rama de cilantro picado (a sprig/branch of cilantro, chopped)

Mezcla todo y ¡ya! (Mix all ingredients together and there you go!)

After my kiddos tasted the salsa, I had them fill out an exit slip indicating how they felt. You can download it here.

I love this video illustrating how pico de gallo is made- even though they may not understand every word, the visual representation is great!



Our own Olivia illustrates this recipe in our printable minibook 'Olivia hace salsa'! Find it here!


Salsaaaaaaaaa


My Fourth Graders have been reading 'Olivia hace salsa' and this week are enjoying the real thing! It's quite a feat to make enough salsa to feed a whole class, let alone four classes (have to do it in stints lol), but boy is it worth it. Many of my kiddos have only had jarred salsa, which has its merits, but fresh salsa can't be beat! After eating the salsa, I had them fill out an exit ticket indicating how they feel about the salsa :) It's been a yummy taste test treat!

FOR THE WHOLE CLASS of 20 kids, here are approximations of how much I use of each ingredient:

*7-8 tomatoes (chopped)
*1-2 large onions (chopped)
*3 jalapeños, sometimes more (chopped)
*4 cloves of garlic, minced
*2 limes (their juice)
*cilantro, chopped

*1 bag of Santitas brand tortilla chips (these have been approved by my wheat free, nut free parents so I use them without worrying about allergies)

Mix altogether- I give each kiddo about 3-4 chips and a spoonful of salsa- it's just a taste, but they can go home and make more! :)


Illustrate the recipe! Salsaaaaaaaaa!

My Fourth Graders are engaged in our Salsa theme, reading 'Olivia hace salsa' (our printable minibook..find it here in our TpT store), and using plastic fruits and veggies to 'make' salsa in class. Part of the theme is for my kiddos to illustrate the ingredients (this is a way for me to assess also whether they have acquired the vocab). Here is the activity page they use to illustrate: Ilustrar los ingredientes
Next week we will be making salsa for real...which not only provides a cultural experience, but each kiddo will have to fill out an exit ticket indicating how they liked the salsa (me gusta, me gusta mucho, no me gusta)- there is always an opportunity to use those favorites!

my kiddos reading the book and acting out the story

Practicing Manners Vocabulary Authentically

I am a huge fan of kids using manners, so incorporating activities and situations where they are necessary to use is important to me. But, as we all know, sometimes it's challenging to create authentic situations for vocab usage, rather than artificial ones.  Here are a few ways I provide those opportunities:
*At the beginning of each class I choose a helper (secretario/secretaria) for that day. That kiddo gets to choose a stuffie to hold, all with names, from a basket I have in my classroom. Of course, in order to get the chosen stuffie, the kiddo has to ask for it using 'por favor' and then has to say 'gracias' once he or she gets it. In the older grades, two kiddos go to the basket, one making the choice and the other giving the stuffie to him/her. This second person of course needs to say 'de nada' once the other has said 'gracias'. This stuffie is the biggest perk of being the helper!
*I give out birthday pencils for each birthday- I have a range of colors, so the birthday boy/girl needs to request which color they would like along with 'por favor' and 'gracias'.
*During our greeting activities in Third Grade, I offer a selection of props kiddos can use (fake mustaches, different types of phones, loads of masks, puppets, etc). Kiddos need to ask for the prop of their choice using their manners.
*Classroom requests (may I go to the bathroom, may I get a drink, etc) need to be accompanied by 'por favor'.
*A number of activities/projects we do offer choice- choice of color of paper for a book cover, choice of art materials for crafts, choice of manipulatives for imaginative play, etc- all asked for politely!
*Any replaying of a song, video, game, etc needs to be asked for using manners.
*If a child sneezes and I say 'Salud', the kiddo needs to respond with 'gracias'.

And of course, I model this vocabulary as well! I am very conscientious about using please, thank you, and you're welcome all through class, every class. Ahhhhh....so nice to be polite!

So excited!

We are so thrilled to be part of TpT's blog post on Spanish teachers! What a wonderful community of professionals! See the post here.

Fun and easy colors activity for the beginning of school

My First Graders worked hard on learning their colors (among many other theme sets) last year in Kindergarten and to prime that vocabulary again we have started the school year off with a fun and simple colors practice activity using pompons.

  

First, I filled 20 bags with a variety of pompons, different sizes and colors. I also made a simple vocabulary sheet with stars on it, one for each of the colors. You can download the vocab page for free here: Star color review activity page

During class, each kiddo has a bag of pompons and a vocab sheet. Before we started, we reviewed the color vocabulary and then we were off! I said a color and instructed them to put all the pompons of that color on the appropriate star. Conversation ensued about how many they had and whether they were tiny, medium size or large, which was so cool! Once everyone had their pompons of that color on the sheet, I said another color and so on. It was really great to have kiddos start calling out colors as well!