24-28 de febrero

¡Hola Familias!

It's been a great week, and I, for one, am excited that the weather looks like it's slowly starting to get warmer! As we work our way through these weeks before Spring Break, know how much learning is happening in the classroom every day. It's exciting to see the kids growing in all areas, and they are so excited and proud Spanish speakers too!

It was so exciting putting Blessing Bags together this week! I can't wait to hear how your child blesses someone by giving his/her bag away. Remember to be in prayer about who God is putting in your child's heart!

Bible / Biblia: This week we talked about how los profetas of the Old Testament announced Jesus's coming and birth, and how after many years, their words finally came true! We've started reviewing the story of Jesus's birth and will continue working through the New Testament.

Reading / Lectura: We have been studying the letter J (pronounced ho-ta; it makes a strong "h" sound), as well as the hard "g" when followed by "e" and "i". We are also practicing our use of the word estar, which refers to feeling, location, and an action in progress.

Writing / Escritura: This week in our instructivo, or how-to, unit, we learned how to make tortillas! This was a fun (and delicious!) way to incorporate new vocabulary and culture. We had lots of fun making and eating tortillas, playing with play-doh and tortilleras, and writing about our experiences.

Math / Matemáticas: We have been studying parts of numbers, especially the parts of 10 (9+1, 8+2, 7+3, etc.). Eventually we want the kids to know them automatically, and we've been doing some games and finger plays to practice. 

Social Studies / Estudios Sociales: This week we talked about oral hygiene, cleaning our teeth, and read a funny book about different animals' smiles!


Immersion Tip of the Week

Transfer refers to skills that your child learns at school in Spanish and can easily pass over into the English language. To see this in action, try telling or acting out some number stories with your child this week. For example, "If I have 2 apples and you have 3, how many do we have altogether? What if you have 5 apples and you give me 1?" Have your child practice saying the equation. We practice stories like this in matemáticas. While you do not have to reteach the concept in English, practicing it will help further solidify your child's skills.

Reading Tip of the Week

Tape words (or letters) written on index cards to the wall in your staircase or hallway. See if your child can read them (or say the sound) when walking by. Change them up by either writing new words or changing the order. There is power in learning while in motion!

Announcements / Upcoming Dates to Remember

*Wednesday, March 4th: We will lead chapel with our 4th grade buddy class. Come join us at 10:35am in the small gym as we worship together!

*Monday, March 23rd and Wednesday, March 25th: Parent-Teacher Conferences. I look forward to meeting with you! Please let me know if you have questions about signing up.

*Tuesday, March 31st: Spring Program! Mark your calendars for this special night!

*April 13-24: Swimming Lessons at the Aquatic Center. Due to a change in kindergarten swimming lesson times, we'll be returning for lunch a bit later than usual. Would you be willing to come and cover recess duty for a day or two over this 2-week period? Here is the sign-up. Rita and I would SO appreciate it!

World Down Syndrome Day/Rock Your Socks at Rose Park!

World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness initiative backed by the United Nations since 2012.  It is held every year on March 21 to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.  The date 3/21 is chosen because being born with Down Syndrome is the result of having a third copy of the 21st chromosome. As 3/21 is a Saturday this year, we will celebrate on Friday, March 20. All Rose Parkers are encouraged to celebrate.

Local author and Down syndrome advocate Katelyn S. Herrygers will be joining us on Friday, March 20 for a book reading and activity in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. If you'd like a copy of the book I Am Me for your home collection, use the discount code WDSDRP20 to save $3.21! Why $3.21? The discount represents Trisomy 21, the third copy of the 21st chromosome which establishes Down syndrome. Buy the book locally through Poppin Huis in-store or online to apply the discount. Shop Here (https://poppinhuis.com/collections/super-jay-brand/products/i-am-me) Bonus, $3.21 of each book sold using our Rose Park coupon code will be donated to the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan! (Discount code valid through 11:59pm March 21, 2020) 

Do you want to know more about the author? Check out her website KatelynShae.net (https://katelynshae.net/)

Have a great weekend! Here are some photos for you to enjoy...

17-21 de febrero

¡Hola Familias!

After so many cloudy, dreary days, isn't it wonderful to see the sun again?! We've had a fun and joyful week of exploration, learning, and play! Here are some of the highlights:

Bible / Biblia: We have finished learning the stories from the Old Testament in our Bible! This week we learned about Daniel en el foso de los leones and about Jonás y el enorme pez. One of my favorite things about these Bible stories is connecting them to the children's lives. From Daniel's story, we learn that when we are scared, we can turn to God, and that God can use us to teach others about Him. From the story of Jonah, we learn that God is always willing to give us second chances. It is a privilege for me to be able to share these truths with my students!

Reading / Lectura: This week we learned about the letter h (pronounced "ah-chay"), which is a special letter in Spanish because it makes no sound! The kids had fun learning about lots of words with this secret sound. We also began to study the verb estar, which is one of the verbs in Spanish for "to be" and refers to an emotional or physical state (e.g. I am happy; I am at home). 

Writing / Escritura: Continuing our how-to unit, this week we made sun butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch on Thursday! We also learned new vocabulary words and wrote about each step.

Math / Matemáticas: In math this week, we've studied the numbers from 11-20 by forming them with centimeter cubes. We also started learning the concepts of mayor (more/greater) and menor (less) when comparing numbers.

Social Studies / Estudios Sociales: This week we learned about President's Day and about George Washington, our first president. We also learned a little bit about groundhogs (catching up from when I was out with the flu!), where they live, and what they eat. We also enjoyed time playing with felt figures and puppets, which is a great way to develop language skills!

Immersion Tip of the Week

Your child may be starting to decode words using Spanish pronunciation, even if the words are in English! This can be fun to listen to, but don't worry about "fixing" your child's pronunciation. You can simply say, "Wow! That's exactly how you'd say it in Spanish! In English we say the sounds like this: ____". Your child will start to unconsciously separate English from Spanish as you continue to read at home and as he/she continues to grow in reading skills. 

Reading Tip of the Week

Speaking of reading, make sure you are reading every day at home! If you do not have a regular "reading routine" (e.g. before bedtime, right after school, etc.), make it a point to establish one--and stick to it! Life can get hectic, but I have to say, as a parent I really enjoy slowing down every evening to read with my kids.

Announcements / Upcoming Dates to Remember

*Friday, February 28th: Silly Sock & Hat Day

*Wednesday, March 4th: Buddy Chapel. We'll be leading chapel with our 4th grade buddies. Come join us in worship at 10:35am in the small gym!

*Friday, March 20th: Fun Night at Rose Park

*Monday, March 23rd and Wednesday, March 25th: Parent/Teacher Conferences. Have you signed up yet? I look forward to meeting with you and talking about your child's progress!

*Tuesday, March 31st: Rose Park Spring Program

For Adults only, if you're interested in a cultural evening out!
Sat, Feb 22, 8 pm to 11 pm: Baile Latino #3 (Latin Dance #3): ¡Bienvenidos a todos! Everyone's welcome! Instrucciónes de baile con DJ Sol (dance instruction with DJ Sol) 8 pm to 9 pm. Entrada $10 (pay at the door, $10). Las ganancias serán donadas a Westcore Neighbors (proceeds will be donated to Westcore Neighbors). At Merchant Hall, 438 Washington Ave, Holland.

That's all for now... enjoy some pictures below!