Artículo determinado en tercer (3º) grado (Definite articles in third (3rd) grade)

In the Spanish language, all nouns have gender; some are masculine and others feminine.  Every noun has a specific, definite article that indicates the gender of the word. The definite article means “the” in English while in Spanish there are four forms, depending on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular or plural. La (singular) and las (plural) are feminine articles and el (singular) and los (plural) are masculine articles. Often, masculine nouns end with –o and most of the time feminine words end with –a. But, because many nouns end in letters other than –o or –a, it’s always good to learn and memorize the definite article when learning a new noun. So, to put these grammar concepts to practice, the third graders have been learning the vocabulary for some classroom objects and its definite article. We first began with focusing on the singular forms el and la. Here, give it a try:

1.     The backpack -  ______ mochila

2.     The bookcase - ______ librero

3.     The calculator - ______ calculdora

4.     The calendar - ______ calendario

5.     The whiteboard - ______ pizzarón blanco

6.     The computer - ______ computadora

After introducing the vocabulary, the students were challenged to a fun game of los matamoscas (the fly swatter) game. In this game, the flashcards were placed on the floor and the object was for the students to match the oral command with it corresponding picture by gently swatting the card. Both the small and the large swatters were used.

Another game we played to help reinforce the new vocabulary and its definite article was Pulgar Arriba (Thumbs-Up). To start this game, students are selected and invited to the front of the classroom. The students seated at the tables are encouraged to place their heads down with eyes shut, extend their arm and put their pulgar arriba. The chosen students are given a flashcard and then circulate the area, secretly pressing one thumb each and then returning to the front of the room. On cue, the students raise their heads and each takes a turn at guessing who pressed their thumb. But, instead of using the student’s name, she or he states the item and its definite article on the flashcard that the individual is holding up. What fun! Next, following these auditory fun activities, we will complete worksheets that include reading and writing the newly learned words and their definite articles. Stay tuned!