Yesterday and today I was in the primary. The children in the primary range from ages 3 to 6. Yesterday I read books with a few of the girls who only speak Spanish. We looked through the books and I pointed out objects, places, and people, telling them what they are called in English. As I told them what they were called in English, they repeated. Some of the books had similar things in them, and the girls pointed them out to me saying, "Mom, Dad, baby, tree, etc." It was very rewarding to see that they were remembering the English words for what they were seeing in the books. I also played Jenga with one of the boys. However, they play Jenga a little differently than we do at home. On each Jenga piece there is a word in Spanish on one side, and the English translation on the other side. The child built up the Jenga pieces and then as we took turns pulling Jenga pieces out I said the English word, they repeated, and then I acted out the word to express its meaning (most of the words are verbs). I felt this game was a great way to teach both English and Spanish and I will definitely use this idea in my future teaching.
Today I read with some children as well. First children who only speak Spanish, then with a group of children who also speak English. The two experiences were quite different. I expressed the pictures using a lot more words with the children who speak English, since they understood what I was saying. I also had them explain what they saw in the pictures to me. With the children who only speak Spanish, I used less words to express the pictures so I did not confuse them. I was very happy today because a few of the more timid children approached me while I was reading with a child, and they wanted to join. This was a very big deal because the first day, these children would not even smile back at me when I smiled at them. And today, they were talking and laughing with me. I am so glad they finally opened up to me and allowed me to work with them. As I was leaving, I walked into the primary and waved at a few of the Spanish speaking girls and they exclaimed, "Jessica!" I was thrilled that they remembered my name. What a great way to end my day at the school (:
Today I read with some children as well. First children who only speak Spanish, then with a group of children who also speak English. The two experiences were quite different. I expressed the pictures using a lot more words with the children who speak English, since they understood what I was saying. I also had them explain what they saw in the pictures to me. With the children who only speak Spanish, I used less words to express the pictures so I did not confuse them. I was very happy today because a few of the more timid children approached me while I was reading with a child, and they wanted to join. This was a very big deal because the first day, these children would not even smile back at me when I smiled at them. And today, they were talking and laughing with me. I am so glad they finally opened up to me and allowed me to work with them. As I was leaving, I walked into the primary and waved at a few of the Spanish speaking girls and they exclaimed, "Jessica!" I was thrilled that they remembered my name. What a great way to end my day at the school (: