Getting ready for Christmas: Shopping

In Brazil, many people are still drawn to shopping at Christmas time. At least among the people I know, exchanging gifts is a solid tradition and I don't see it ending any time soon. However, Brazil still is  a catholic country, so lots of people go to the church on Christmas night for a two-hour celebration in order to remind themselves of the real meaning of this date.

Getting ready for Christmas: Setting Up The Tree

We start decorating the tree on November 30th. The Church suggests that we do it during the four weeks that preceed Christmas, little by little. In some families, children decorate the tree and are taught the real meaning of such important night. Traditionally, the tree is left up until January 6th, which is the day when the three kings found Jesus.   

My favorite singer

Students are learning how to describe their talents. After practicing the structure " I can... but I can´t ..." and learning the names of the musical instruments, I assigned the following written task: Draw and color you favorite singer and write about him/her.

Getting Ready For Christmas: Going Through Christmas Stuff

Streets, stores and houses have been decorated, trees have been set up, lights have been lit, feasts have been thought through and presents have been bought. We're all waiting for the most important holiday of all and it's time for me to start sorting out the ornaments for our Christmas tree. How about you? Have you started prepping for Christmas yet?

Bugs Here, There and Everywhere

Students learned the names of the BUGS and the verb THERE TOBE to describe their garden. After we practiced the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms for a few classes, they drew, color and cut out one bug each. I taped them all on the board and told them to pay attention to the number and the colors of the bugs . I invited one student at a time to go to the front (facing their peers and not the board) and guess how many of each bug there were and how many of a certain color. For instance, I asked: How many SPIDERS are there? or "How many RED spiders are there?" or Are there any PURPLE snakes?

OPTION 2: Students can also be the ones to ask the questions, so the teacher could arrange them in two teams.


Writing Task: After practicing the verb THERE TO BE and the names of the bugs, my students were asked to draw their own yard and write about it. They were supposed to use THERE TO BE and the names of the bugs.

His X Her

Students this semester drew a cowboy/cowgirl to describe their clothes by using HIS or HER, CLOTHES and COLORS.  First, I drew a cowboy as a model. Then, I took photos of their cowboys while they were drawing them and after they all had finished, I took a photograph of each and showed them on the data show equipment, so they described them. They were supposed to use: His pants are...., his scarf is... his shirt is... his boots are... and his hat is...  

Model

Change Of Plans

Right now, I'm upset because we're not going to Europe for the holidays anymore. We're going after the holidays because of dad's work. Bummer!

 However, I'm glad December is coming because it's my favorite time of the year. I'm going to start prepping the house for the festivities. There is a lot to do.

December is around the corner

School term is almost over and I'm super duper excited because this year my parents and I are going to Europe for the holidays. I just can't wait!!! 

November in Brazil

On November 2nd, we honor our late family members by visiting cemeteries all over the country. We take flowers to decorate the graves of beloved ones and candles to be lit. We also pray and reflect about life and its shortness. On November 15th, we celebrate the Proclamation of the Republic. Schools don´t open and we don´t work either. We don't do anything special on this day. It´s a day to rest and have fun with family and friends.