Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Muppets' Road Trip Game {PRINTABLE}



Are you headed out of town for Thanksgiving? We're not, but I'm doing a lot of shopping this next week which means a lot of time in the car and stores with my kids. And I thought, well, since we ALL KNOW what's coming out exactly one week from today, maybe I'd go ahead and share the following printables that Disney sent me (and if you've seen them before, then you are apparently reading the same blogs I do! Lol.). Simply click on the pictures below to download each activity.

The funniest one, I think, is the Muppets' Road Trip Game, which includes hilarious challenges to keep the kids busy, such as seeing if they can spot:

  • 1 Person who looks like a relative of Gonzo’s?
  • 4 Miss Piggy fans (people singing to themselves, fixing their hair in a mirror, etc..)
  • The letters of Disney’s "The Muppets" in license plates


You can also print up a couple of 3D Kermit and Fozzie Bear papercrafts.







Are you planning to go and see the new Muppet movie when it comes out? I am a die hard Muppet fan. I grew up watching the characters and I even have the series on MY Christmas wish list.


When Jim Henson died, I felt such an incredible sadness for the whole world. I guess that was because I felt like he had had such a profound impact on my childhood that who knows how many other children found comfort and friendship in his beloved characters. As a child I fell in love with all of the Muppets, and I mourned the loss of such creativity and comedic genius.

It makes mi corazón so happy to know that his legacy will continue and that children today (especially my own!) will have a chance to come to know and love and laugh with the same special characters - Kermit, Miss Piggy, Foz, Gonzo, and so many more - as I did.

I want to make sure you all know that I received Disney promotional material all the time, but I'm pretty selective about what I share. Mostly, I choose those things that I know my own children will love. I am not paid to talk about the films, but I simply share the activities and photos that I think may interest you all. And I am grateful to Disney for providing me the opportunity to offer these materials on MommyMaestra.

Wishing you all the happiest of weeks! (Thanksgiving is almost here - YAY!!!)


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Thomas Suarez: 6th Grade App Developer

What's that? You have a great idea for an app, but don't know how to get started? Maybe 6th grader, Thomas Suarez, can give you some ideas...




Guau! Is this kid the next Latino Steve Jobs? 

Thomas even has his own online store: CarrotCorp.com. Personally, if I had a way to run an app, I'd buy the Bustin Jieber one.  

This, my firends, is what STEM subjects are all about.

Con mucho cariño...

Bilingual Resources for Thanksgiving - Lesson Plans, Activities, & More


Looking for bilingual resources for Thanksgiving? Here's a list of lesson plans, activities, and videos - some in English and some in Spanish for you to use at home or in the classroom.

UPDATE: The last few years have seen more and more bilingual resources being published to the web. I've been keeping track and here's an updated list for teachers and parents to use with their kids.


LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES

English


Spanish


Printables



Here is a list of my bilingual printables for Thanksgiving. They are for a variety of ages and come in both English and Spanish.

You may also enjoy these Free Día de Acción de Gracias Printables for Elementary 

Don't forget that our sponsor Spanish for You! offers a sampling of their wonderful program with these free downloads that you can find here on MommyMaestra:

Audio & Video


We also really enjoyed listening to the following:




Monday, November 14, 2011

MommyMaestra's Thanksgiving Week


Welcome to Thanksgiving Week on MommyMaestra. I have some wonderful bilingual resources lined up for you and another giveaway, so be sure to check back often (and share MM with your amigos!). 

There are already so many incredible activities, decorations, and crafts described on the internet. My Pinterest Thanksgiving board is filling up! If you haven't been following it, feel free to go and take a look and see if you find something wonderful to do with your kids.

Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday of the year because all I have to do is do a little cooking, show up, and eat.

But most importantly, I love the reminder to be thankful. I spend these few weeks reflecting on and remembering what it is I hold closest to my heart. I think about my family and I take time to think about the things I love most about them.

I also wonder how it is I can help teach my children about being thankful and how can I help them learn to express that gratitude. I've been trying to think of some sort of action or gift we can create ourselves to give to those we appreciate. Something we can easily do each year.

Does your family have a special tradition that you reserve for this time of year?

Friday, November 11, 2011

6 Simple Tips for Helping Your Child Choose a Musical Instrument

Photo by Jorge Girarte

The following is a guest post by my friend, Angelica Perez, the publisher of New Latina, as part of a series on Music in Education.


At the age of 8, I distinctly remember being completely drawn to the sounds and look of the guitar. While my young friends were asking for the latest toys for the holidays, I insisted on getting a "real" guitar. I recall the day my guitar arrived by mail, in a long, triangular carton box. It was the happiest day of my childhood.

Raising my children with a deep love for music is something I've always wanted for them. The benefits of playing an instrument are numerous, ranging from enhancing cognitive skills to boosting self-esteem. What I personally enjoy the most is having our children play their instrument during a family get-together over the holidays or at a birthday celebration.

If you're considering introducing your child to an instrument. Here are some simple ways to help you help your child choose the right musical instrument.

1. Simply observe.

Some children are naturally musically inclined. Their little bodies move easily to the beat of a song, they can't help it. I remember once when my 3 year old was crying, frustrated at something she couldn't have, but moving to the beat of a song on the radio -- awesome!

Observing your child's reaction to music and musical sounds can give you great hints as to which instruments they naturally respond to and enjoy. Is he drawn to the soft musical sounds of the flute? Does she like the beat of drums? Or the crisp sounds of the guitar? When dancing, to which musical instrument are they mostly dancing to? Does she like loud sounds or quieter ones? Is their an inclination for a particular tempo?

2. Visit a music store.

Taking your kids to a music store can feel like going to a toy store. Let your children browse through the various instruments. Encourage them to touch and hold them. Let them try them out. Notice where they go and with which instrument they spend most of their time.

3. Consider your child's characteristics.

Consider your child's age, size, personality, temperament, and readiness. Some instruments may be difficult to play for a beginner musician, while other instruments may simply be too big in size. Consider also any health or physical conditions your child may have. The horn, for instance, may not be the best choice for a child with asthma.

4. Take your children to live music events.

There is nothing better than live music -- the pounding of live drums resonating all over your body, or the peaceful sounds of chamber music relaxing your inner soul. Live musical events allow children to see and appreciate how instruments come together, and the end result of practice, practice, practice.

5. Don't push a particular instrument just because you like it.

Allow your child to figure it out by himself. We may have in mind a particular instrument for our child because we believe we know them well. Or, we may favor (or not) an instrument because we have certain judgments about it. Stepping back and letting your child naturally gravitate towards an instrument of choice is best.

6. Rent before you buy.

Choosing an instrument does not have to be a final decision. The first few months should be considered an exploratory phase, a time for your child to get to know the instrument and see if it's a good fit. For that reason, renting and instrument in the beginning may be best, especially if a new instrument could be costly (e.g., a viola or piano). In fact, the promise of purchasing a new instrument can serve as the perfect prize for the child who has shown enthusiasm, enjoyment, and commitment to a chosen musical instrument!

What musical instrument(s) do your children play? How did you help them choose?

-------------------

Angelica Perez, PHD, is the creative force behind New Latina, an empowering lifestyle online destination.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Resources for Studying Music

Smithsonian's virtual exhibition: Música del pueblo

Do you take the time to study music with your children? Although we listen to it a lot in our home, I try to take time to deliberately study different types of music from around the world. This works especially well as a unit study, or as a part of studying world cultures.

Listening to music helps children to develop language and comprehension skills. It can also improve a child's reasoning abilities for math, science, and engineering.

I have found some amazing resources online for parents and teachers. Below are a few of the lesson plans, books, activities and other ideas for exploring this subject more in depth with your kids.

LESSON PLANS

Last spring, I put together this article for studying Spain's most recognized music and dance: Flamenco.

Putumayo Kids has a special section just for teachers that includes lesson plans, maps and song lyrics.

Smithsonian Folkways has a great website with a whole section dedicated to teachers that includes lesson, activities, folk life education kits, some really awesome interactive features (see photo), and more. 

OxFam also has global music site that has 20 stand-alone lessons, offering opportunities for singing, performing, composing, improvising, listening, and appraising. You can also explore rhythm, timbre, texture, structure, and pitch by using music from many cultures and countries.   

Kindermusik is a program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and young children. It teaches music appreciation and develops age-appropriate skills.

PBS offers a wonderful site for teachers with online lesson plans and activities for classical music based on their program, Great Performances. For elementary through high school.

For added inspiration, take a look at this fun video created by homeschooling mom, Marta Verdes Darby, and her children. You can find out more about their experience at the Walt Disney Concert Hall by visiting her blog, My Big Fat Cuban Family.


CD's

- Songs in Spanish for Children by various artists

- Cuban Lullaby by various artists

- Latin Playground by Putumayo

- Classics for Kids with music by the Great Composers.


BOOKS



Sing Along with Abuelita Rosa: Hispanic Lullabies/Canciones de cuna by Baby Abuelita Productions, illustrated by Oscar J. López. Perfect for small children, this musical board book features five traditional Latin American songs for children. 

Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango. A unique story that describes various types of Latin American music - from Colombia’s cumbia to the Dominican merengue to the candombé of Uruguay.

Diez Deditos & Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America by José-Luis Orozco and illustrated by Elisa Kleven. This lovely book includes the verses in English and Spanish, as well as the music arrangement for guitar and piano.

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers and Julie Maren. The inspirational story of the famous Cuban singer.

Salsa by Lillian Colon-Vila and Roberta Collier-Morales

Lola's Fandango by Anna Witte and Micha Archer

For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart by Elizabeth Rusch, Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson

Cool Classical Music: Create & Appreciate What Makes Music Great! (Cool Music) by Mary Lindeen

Classical Music Stories by Cynthia Downs

Carnival of the Animals: Classical Music for Kids by Camille Saint-Saens, Barrie C. Turner and Sue Williams

Con mucho cariño...

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Música amiga {GIVEAWAY}


I have long admired the work of authors Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, and Suni Paz. These ladies are certainly an inspiration to women around the world for their absolute devotion to children and education. When I began exploring Latino children's literature for my children and the Latin Baby Book Club, their work was some of the first I came across. They were then, and continue to be, my favorites. Both Alma Flor and Isabel have contributed to the Book Club's website with articles and descriptions of their books.

So as I was putting together this Music in Education series, their Música amiga collection immediately came to mind. So I contacted them asking if they would consider donating a set or one of their other works for a giveaway.

Their generosity is unbelievable and I am happy to say that MommyMaestra will be partnering with them over the few months to bring you some of their best educational materials for children. You can learn about these giveaways by following MommyMaestra's Facebook page.

To begin, the authors have offered two sets of Música amiga to MommyMaestra readers. One for a teacher and another for a parent.

Sra. Campoy once told me that she felt this series was their best contribution to Latino children. Written together with Alma Flor Ada, this incredible collection is made even more powerful by their collaboration with the talented Suni Paz, who arranged and sings all of the songs on the CD many of which are her original compositions.

This anthology of folklore and original poems uses the power of music and poetry to build literacy. It is available as a set or as individual books. Parents, teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers will find Música amiga to be a valuable tool for developing their students' phonemic awareness and supporting language acquisition; both basic foundations for reading success.

You can find a complete description of each book on the Latin Baby Book Club website as it was shared by Sra. Campoy. It is available for purchase through Del Sol Books.


THE GIVEAWAY

On this post, parents and teachers (ages 18 and over) may enter to win one set of Música amiga.

The authors want to be sure that both a teacher AND a family each wins this valuable collection, so...

To enter, simply leave a comment below letting us know if you are a teacher or a parent. (Por favor, if you are a teacher, do not sign up as a parent, too.) A winner will be chosen from each group.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, November 21st. The two winners will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! Open to United States residents only.

And to increase your chances of winning, you can:

1.) Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post in the comments below.

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: Win an entire set of Música amiga! http://bit.ly/vQ6PoE @LatinMami Spanish #reading #giveaway

Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!


By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.

¡Buena suerte!


Disclosure: This giveaway is offered in collaboration with the authors. I have not been compensated in any way for offering this giveaway, and it results from my contacting them and asking for a contribution to our Music in Education series.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Inspiring Latinos You Should Know Series: Musicians

This week, as part of our Music in Education series, I'm happy to share with you three inspiring Latinos in the field of music. Maybe you've heard of some - or all - of them? I have been wanting to feature their stories for a while now and this seems to be the perfect opportunity. I would encourage you to share them with your students/children, so that they may see their faces reflected in our nation's history. I think most children love music so they will immediately relate to these fascinating people. And I hope that by seeing other Latinos who have followed their dreams and are passionate about them, will inspire your children to pursue their own.




Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega

Symphony and opera conductor, Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega, has been described as "a thunderbolt and a force to be reckoned with on the musical scene.” The first woman in history to receive a Vatican invitation to conduct a symphony orchestra at a Papal Mass, she is the driving force behind the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in L.A. Established in 1992, the orchestra strives to "share the beauty and inspiration of classical music with Southern California audiences, giving special focus to Latino communities that are under-served and underrepresented by the arts.”

Part of De Leon de Vega's passion is the education of youth, and as a result, she has created the orchestra's Discovering Music Program. The nationally- acclaimed program has been experienced by over 40,000 students in 35 schools. The goal of the two-year program is to introduce elementary students "to classical music, orchestral instruments, and the magic of the orchestra." In addition, it offers free violin lessons to students in middle school.

She is also the Producer and Music Director for the annual Opera Under the Stars concert in Los Angeles, a venue credited with launching the careers of many young operatic vocalists.

You can read more about De Leon de Vega on her website, deleondevega.com.



photo by Rachel Field

Suni Paz

Suni Paz is an author, lyricist, singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer of folklore and children's songs. Born to an Argentine Italian-Catalonian family, Paz began her musical career at 12 when she would perform for her family at parties. Since that time, Paz's upbeat and energetic performances have entertained and captured the hearts of children and adults all over the world. She has shared the stage with other famous performers, including Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Don MacLean and Richie Havens, to name a few.

In addition to creating her own beautiful, original songs, Paz also collaborates with the esteemed authors, Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy on an on-going basis. One of their best received works is Música amiga, a series of books and CD's that promotes literacy among Spanish-speaking children by developing their phonemic awareness and supporting language acquisition, basic foundations for reading success.

Most recently, Suni has contributed to the anthology, Wisdom Has a Voice by Kate Farrell. Her next project is a recording with Liz Mitchell of North American and Caribbean songs, which Suni has adapted into Spanish for Smithsonian Folkways. The CD is scheduled to be released next year.

You can learn more about Suni's life and accomplisments at her website, www.SuniPaz.com.





José-Luis Orozco

Born in Mexico city, José-Luis Orozco's wonder and love of music was developed at an early age, thanks to his abuelita. At only 8 years old, he joined the Mexico City Boy's Choir and traveled throughout Central and South America, and across the sea to the Caribbean and Europe. His Master's degree is in Multicultural Education and his books are used by thousands of teachers across America. I can't even begin to list all of the awards that Sr. Orozco has received, but I can assure you they are all well deserved.

His works are a gift to children, who will be engaged by the rhythm of the words and music. And your niños will greatly benefit from the interaction with you. Each book comes with lyrics in both English and Spanish, as well as simple arrangements for piano and guitar.

Some of his other books and CD's include, Diez Deditos and Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs, Fiestas A Year of Latin American Songs and Celebrations, Navidad y Pancho Claus, and Arrullos: Lullabies in Spanish, but he has SO many more.

Most recently, Orozco has been working on launching Caramba Kids, a new and innovative education program based on his music for children ages 8 and under. You can find more information on his wonderful website, www.JoseLuisOrozco.com.


Con mucho cariño...

Sunday, November 6, 2011

This Week on MommyMaestra: Music in Education



Music is a large part of the Latino culture. From flamenco to samba, every Spanish-speaking country has a unique beat that often reflects the movement, thoughts, and passions of its people.

But all over the world, music is used to teach, soothe, and inspire. There's a reason that parents instinctively croon a sweet lullaby to their newborns. Children are instinctively rhythmic and their brains learn new concepts and sounds quickly when they are presented in a musical form.

MommyMaestra is dedicating this week to Music in Education. We have some fabulous articles on using music to teach language, tips for buying your child's first musical instrument, books on music appreciation, lessons and crafts, and so much more.

I hope you will bookmark this site and share it with your friends. And if you have found some fabulous music resources that you use with your own children or students, I hope you will share them with us!


Con mucho cariño....


Using Music to Teach Language

photo by Vectorportal
 
The following article is a guest post by Michael Fee, Managing Director of Lango, as part of our series, Music in Education.


At Lango, we teach foreign languages to kids ages 18 months to 11 years old. We do so with passion and enthusiasm, believing that every child should learn another language, and every child can learn a language. And we believe that language learning sinks in most deeply when students don’t just hear new sounds or even read new terms, but when they feel the new language, experiencing it deeply.

Music has the power to reach students deeply. Music has touched all of us; a profound musical experience can reach us on a visceral level, beyond superficial memorization. This is why, at Lango, music is part of every class, for every child – toddlers to tweens!

We’re hardly the first to suggest that language should be learned with one’s entire being; indeed, “Total Physical Response” (TPR) is an almost universally-accepted methodology that suggests that students learn languages best when they use not just hearing and speaking, but movement, tactile response and a full range of sensation. Meanwhile, language educators like Dartmouth’s John Rassias tell us that “the best way to learn a second language is to speak it and to live it; to involve both your intellect and your emotions.”  At Lango we believe the best way to experience a new language in such a way is through music.

When learning a new language through music, a student shouldn’t just listen, or even just sing along; she should dance! She should use her entire body to experience the rhythm and changes in pitch and volume that makes music so much more memorable than simple text, or even than a poem.

Music helps us teach new languages by ensuring that students acquire new sounds deeply, because music creates lasting impressions that make the new language easy to recall, but also because listening to lyrics forces a student to listen closely. During music-time in a Lango class, as students dance in time and in keeping with the content, our teachers cup their hands to their ears, reminding students to listen closely; invariably we see students nod vigorously as they pick up key words and begin to comprehend the thrust of the song.

But learning languages through music is about even more - more than learning with one’s entire self, or indelible impressions, or even comprehension; it reminds students (and us teachers!) that people exist behind the music and the language we’re hearing. At Lango we use toe-tapping, contemporary music we’ve created just for our lessons, but also traditional music, the music of the peoples whose languages our students are learning. For only by developing that richer understanding of the people who speak these languages do students truly grasp the depth of what they’re learning.

------------------------------------

Michael Fee, Lango's Managing Director, has spent his entire career in education, starting as a high school English Teacher with Teach For America in rural Arkansas. Since then, he has held various leadership positions, including running after-school tutoring facilities for Score Educational Centers and leading Intrax Cultural Exchange's study abroad and English-instruction businesses. He also earned his BA from Stanford and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Most proudly, he is father to three children, all of whom are learning Spanish at Lango!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Jugar y colorear: A Spanish Website for Parents & Teachers


I am super excited about this new website that I stumbled upon and I think you will be, too.  Jugar y Colorear is a Spanish website filled with activities for children. I think they are based out of Argentina.

They do have a few annoying ads right at the beginning of each post, which I find very distracting, but other than that, the site contains a lot of useful links, resources, printables, etc.

Jugar y colorear includes stories, coloring pages, games, hands-on activities, and even a section dedicated to recorder lessons.

They also have a fair number of Día de los Muertos activities like this cut-out Catrina...



So if you are looking for Spanish websites with fun downloads, head on over there and take a look around!

Con mucho cariño!!

5 Educational Things To Do With (Halloween) Candy


If you allowed your kids to dress up and go begging for treats last night, chances are you now have more candy in your home than the witch in Hansel and Gretel.

So what's a parent to do? Instead of spending the next week gorging on sugary sweets, why not turn these pieces of candy into tools to help your children perfect their math skills?

Here are my five favorite ideas for using candy in an educational manner:


Sort & Graph

You can make this as simple or as complicated as you want to based on your child's age. Younger children can sort based on color, size, or type. They can create their own graphs, use graph paper, or parents can print off a copy of the bilingual blank bar graphs I have uploaded.

Older kids can sort by ingredients, brand, or even weight. They can create their own graphs, or use an Excel spreadsheet.


Patterns & Sequencing

My children love to do puzzles and this includes figuring out a pattern sequence. Start your children off with a simple AB pattern (Tootsie Roll, Snicker, Tootsie Roll, Snicker...) and ask them what comes next.

For older kids, make the pattern trickier: ABCCABBCCABBBCC. For an added challenge, ask your kids to create a pattern for you to crack!


Coin Value, Addition & Subtraction

Set up a candy shop. Carefully organize and label each type of candy with a price. Give your child some fake (or use real) coins and allow them to "purchase" their own candy. BUT they must use exact change.

Once they've mastered that skill, trade sides and allow them to be the shop owner. However, be sure to give them more than the amount and ask for your change.


Estimate & Measure

Introduce younger children to measurement by having them measure their candy using a nonstandard unit of measurement (i.e., paper clips). Once they've done this a few times, start asking them to estimate first how many paper clips (or whatever you're using) each item will take. Have them write down their guesses and the results so they can see how close they were.

Older children can use an actual ruler. Take it a step further by asking them to figure out how long two or three of the same candy bars will measure if laid out end to end, but allow them to only measure one of the bars and then calculate the answer.


Weight & Comparison

Have your children compare the weights of different candies. Ask them questions like: Which weighs more, a box of milk duds or a bag of M&M's? How many Hershey Kisses does it take to equal one KitKat? Make sure you have them record their results!

¿Qué? Don't have a balance scale? Don't worry, you can make your own.


Con mucho cariño...

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