Estudio de los animales en el Jardín de infancia (Animal Study in Kindergarten)

To compliment el Jardín de infancia’s (kindergarten’s) study on “Animals,” in Spanish class the students have been learning a variety of names for domestic, farm and wild animals. In their homeroom class, each kindergartener chose a particular animal of interest to do further research. So, it only seemed right to explore this idea during Spanish class as well.

To introduce the students to the Spanish vocabulary for some particular animals, we read an array of books and viewed YouTube videos such as these:

Animales Domesticos para Niños y Bebés [2:11]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Q1thtAXTU

Animales Salvages [2:25]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWlbQnn97SQ&src_vid=80Q1thtAXTU&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_1887963443

To help reinforce the learning, the kindergarteners participated in a variety of games and activities.

El juego de los matamoscas / The Fly Swatter Game

¿Dónde está ________? / Where is _______?

After learning their chosen animal’s name, the kindergarteners were presented with the Spanish vocabulary that describes some of their characteristics such as cabeza (head), ojos (eyes), orejas (ears), nariz (nose), boca (mouth), cuello (neck), cola (tail), cuernos (horns), cornamentas (antlers), patas (feet), and aletas (fins). We then played a game where the students were encouraged to label the correct body part verbally dictated. 

¿Qué está en mi cabeza? / What is on my head?

In this activity, the students were invited to divide into pairs. Each pair was given one pair of sunglasses and one card with a photo of an animal. The student without the sunglasses had to give clues to the student with the sunglasses and s/he would guess, in Spanish, what animal was “on their head.” When the student had successfully guessed, it was the partner’s turn to wear the sunglasses.

¿Qué animal es? / What animal is it?

This activity is similar to that of ‘musical chairs’ but no chairs are used. The students were asked to walk around the classroom, in their own space, until they would hear the word “stop.” Then, an animal’s name is called out and the Kindergarteners would “act-out” the animal sounds until they hear the word “stop” once again. All commands and name of animals are done in Spanish. This game was a huge hit!!

"León"

"Oso Panda"

"Oso Panda"

"Tigre"

To culminate the study, the students will have the opportunity to sculpt their chosen animal using Model Magic and write the Spanish translation of its name. Stay tuned!!