May 10

What a joy it is to teach your children!!! They are so engaged and so much fun! We celebrated El Cinco de Mayo - which many Americans believe is Mexican Independence Day - IT IS NOT!!! Mexican Independence Day is the 16th of September.  El CInco de Mayo commemorates a battle in Puebla  in 1862 where the Mexican army beat the French Army  - even though they were outnumbered 2-1 and The French were better equipped and had supeior training. In the U.S. El Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.  We briefly went over this history and celebrated by dancing La Raspa (The Mexican Hat Dance), playing Spanish Show and Tell and sharing delicious and interesting treats! 

This celebration generated the following vocabulary: 1. Que viva Mexico - Long live Mexico 2. Un  pancho - "     " 3. Una blusa bonita  - a pretty blouse  4. Una falda bonita - a pretty skirt  5. Un collar bonito - a pretty necklace  6. Una bolsa especial - a special bag   7. Nopalitos ricos - tasty cactus       8. Galletas ricas - tasty cookies/crackers   9. Uvas ricas - tasy grapes

HOMEWORK: Please review the historical and cultural significance of El CInco de Mayo.  Have the children become familiar with the above vocabulary - we'll play a review game next week.  Children who forgot their Show and Tell items may bring them next week (they may only share things from Spanish-speaking regions).  Take every opportunity to practice speaking Spanish and listen to the cd.