CLASS UPDATE FOR 12-11-07

Papà Noel, Santa Clos-- La Navidad


REVIEW-

Songs- This week and last week we continued to review wild animals with our "Wild Animal Song" and also the stuffed animals. The kids really like this song.

Song- Last week we Re introduced the Farm animals with "Old Mc Donald Had a Farm" in Spanish.

Numbers- We continue to use our flashcards with farm animals to review both numbers and farm animals.

Farm Animals-

• la gallina- the hen
• el caballo- the horse
• la vaca- the cow
• el puerco/cerdo- the pig
• el pato- the duck
• el pollito- the chick
• el pavo- the turkey
• la obeja- the bee
• el burro- the donkey
• el ganso- the goose

Our I Spy with my little eye hand out was completed this week. We used this handout to look for numbers and animals. This handout was divided into a 2 week lesson. The kids loved the challenge.

We also spoke about the habitat for these animals versus pets and wild animals.

Calendar Fun-

• We continue to learn our days of the week with several games. The kids have learned to say the following:

1. Hoy es _______ - Today is ______ have kids say the day of the week.

• They have become very good at saying their days of the week and numbers. Next month we will concentrate on numbers 11-20 and how to say, "Tomorrow is _______

Cultural Awareness-
The kids have now been introduced to how Mexico and Bolivia celebrate Christmas. We have used our passports to travel to South America and South of the Border. We have used our imaginations and gone on a plane ride. Once we arrive at our destinations, their passports are stamped and the kids are informed on their surroundings. A brief description of the landscape, weather and feasts are given to them.

• Bolivia- Midnight Mass, Its summer there, Creche is made of tiny little replicas of the trades of various people, fresh flowers are cut, tea is given.
• Mexico- Celebrations begin with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe which is Dec. 12th. - I showed them a movie about this tradition. Talked about Las Posadas and the fun piñatas that are available to them from Dec. 11- Jan.6th.
• Introduced them to Feliz Navidad Song.

Amigos Navideños- Christmas friends. In order to wrap up a truly realistic celebration of how Latin America celebrates Christmas,... we have to have a 3 Wise Men Party. This will take place on Jan. 8th. The kids will bring their Christmas friend a little gift from the dollar store. They will then place the gift in their friend's shoe. This is how this day is celebrated. The kids received the names of their amigo/a on a card... please make sure that they show it to you.

NEXT WEEK- We will wrap up animals and have a lot of Spanish Christmas Caroling and fun games. At this point.. the kids are really excited and learning will be more efficient through games and fun.



FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!

Story of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Also known as

Holy Mary of Guadalupe; Virgin of Guadalupe; Maria de Guadalupe

Memorial

12 December

Profile

Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town that grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as representing the Immaculate Conception, being the lone figure of the woman with the sun, moon, and star accompaniments of the great apocalyptic sign with a supporting angel under the crescent. The word is Spanish Arabic, but in Mexico it may represent certain Aztec sounds.

Its tradition is long-standing and constant, and in sources both oral and written, Indian and Spanish, the account is unwavering. The Blessed Virgin appeared on Saturday 9 December 1531 to a 55 year old neophyte named Juan Diego, who was hurrying down Tepeyac hill to hear Mass in Mexico City. She sent him to Bishop Zumárraga to have a temple built where she stood. She was at the same place that evening and Sunday evening to get the bishop's answer. The bishop did not immediately believed the messenger, had him cross-examined and watched, and he finally told him to ask the lady who said she was the mother of the true God for a sign. The neophyte agreed readily to ask for sign desired, and the bishop released him.

Juan was occupied all Monday with Bernardino, an uncle, who was dying of fever. Indian medicine had failed, and Bernardino seemed at death's door. At daybreak on Tuesday 12 December 1531, Juan ran to nearby Saint James's convent for a priest. To avoid the apparition and the untimely message to the bishop, he slipped round where the well chapel now stands. But the Blessed Virgin crossed down to meet him and said, "What road is this thou takest son?" A tender dialogue ensued. She reassured Juan about his uncle, to whom she also briefly appeared and instantly cured. Calling herself Holy Mary of Guadalupe she told Juan to return to the bishop. He asked the sign for the sign he required. Mary told him to go to the rocks and gather roses. Juan knew it was neither the time nor the place for roses, but he went and found them. Gathering many into the lap of his tilma, a long cloak or wrapper used by Mexican Indians, he came back. The Holy Mother rearranged the roses, and told him to keep them untouched and unseen until he reached the bishop. When he met with Zumárraga, Juan offered the sign to the bishop. As he unfolded his cloak the roses, fresh and wet with dew, fell out. Juan was startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him. The life size figure of the Virgin Mother, just as Juan had described her, was glowing on the tilma. The picture was venerated, guarded in the bishop's chapel, and soon after carried in procession to the preliminary shrine.

The coarsely woven material of the tilme which bears the picture is as thin and open as poor sacking. It is made of vegetable fibre, probably maguey. It consists of two strips, about seventy inches long by eighteen wide, held together by weak stitching. The seam is visible up the middle of the figure, turning aside from the face. Painters have not understood the laying on of the colours. They have deposed that the "canvas" was not only unfit but unprepared, and they have marvelled at apparent oil, water, distemper, etc. colouring in the same figure. They are left in equal admiration by the flower-like tints and the abundant gold. They and other artists find the proportions perfect for a maiden of fifteen. The figure and the attitude are of one advancing. There is flight and rest in the eager supporting angel. The chief colours are deep gold in the rays and stars, blue green in the mantle, and rose in the flowered tunic.


The place, called Guadalupe Hidalgo since 1822, is three miles northeast of Mexico City. Pilgrimages have been made to this shrine almost without interruption since 1531-1532. A shrine at the foot of Tepeyac Hill served for ninety years, and still forms part of the parochial sacristy. In 1622 a rich shrine was erected, and in 1709 a newer one even richer one. There are also a parish church, a convent and church for Capuchin nuns, a well chapel, and a hill chapel all constructed in the 18th century. About 1750 the shrine got the title of collegiate, a canonry and choir service being established. It was aggregated to Saint John Lateran in 1754. In 1904 it was created a basilica, with the presiding ecclesiastic being called abbot. The shrine has been renovated in Byzantine style which presents an illustration of Guadalupan history.

- article by G Lee, copyright 1911, Nihil Obstat, 1 February 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor; Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York; edited and rewritten

Christmas Around Latin America

Here are some Links to different traditions

Christmas in South America

Native Bolivians celebrate Christmas more as a harvest festival. Thanks are given for completion of the year's work. They give an account of the work done during the year and propose what is to be done the next year. Christmas tends to become a feast of adoration of the Goddess Mother Earth, who is asked to bring a fruitful harvest, to keep away plagues, and to give a prosperous year.

In Brazil Santa Claus is little known and those who do know of the jolly fellow call him Papa Noel.

The children have no Christmas trees, but they do have a crèche or Presepio, representing the Christ-child's birth. Gifts and toys are exchanged during the holidays after which the Presepio is put away until the following Christmas.

In Ecuador the children write letters to the Christ-child and place shoes in the window in which he may place toys as he passes by on Christmas Eve. Noise-making toys are common and are used with much energy on the streets on Christmas morning.

Since the weather is very warm, most celebrations are in the streets. There are firecrackers, brass bands, and dancing. At midnight everyone goes to Mass. after which the family dinner is enjoyed.

taken from Christmas Traditions Around the World

Holiday Traditions Imported From Bolivia

Christmas in Bolivia

Submitted by a reader

In Bolivia they have a Nacimiento instead of a Christmas tree.

The tradition started when everyone in the town would bring an offering to the Christ child in the crèche at the church. Towns people would bring a miniature version of their trade or specialty as a gift to baby Jesus. For example a shoemaker would bring a miniature pair of shoes, a dressmaker would sew miniature dress, a baker might bring a miniature loaf of bread.

The tradition has evolved and now there is a Nacimiento in many homes. It is a tiered type of pyramid-like display. The baby Jesus is in a crèche at the top surrounded by lower tiers of miniature figurines of carved wood, blown glass, paper mache... representing gifts. The miniatures can be of almost anything at all: animals, food, clothing, toys, paintings, utensils...

Throughout South America and Spain Christmas is celebrated in a deeply religious way. But there are peculiar and interesting differences in each country.

ARGENTINA URUGUAY

Argentina and Uruguay are countries with many cultural influences. So their Christmas traditions are diverse and it is very difficult to generalize. Following are some broad local traditions. Both countries have a summer time Christmas unlike that of the United States. Despite this, their traditions are quite similar. People celebrate it with devotion and joy. The tradition of Nativity scene and Xmas tree, gift-giving, banquets and picnics, and fireworks at around midnight. People usually select any artificial or live tree to display at home. These trees are decorated with colored lights, ornaments and candles. All Christmas gifts are placed under the tree. Many set up the Nativity scene, a model of the manger where Jesus Christ was born. The devout also attend a Christmas church service, if this is part of their family's holiday tradition. Many plan a barbecue or picnic, as their Christmas meal, to take advantage of the pleasant weather. Along with the special and usual holiday items, pan dulce (a Christmas bread filled with candies) and sidra (cider) or champagne are served with dessert. FOr more click here Imágenes navideñas Click to see pictures of various countries and how they celebrate Navidad La Navidad- Great kids site with music, games etc. NAVIDAD VILLANCICOS

GREAT LINKS FOR CHRISTMAS SONGS IN SPANISH

Los Peces en el rio

Los Peces en el rio- little girl

tatiana - peces en el rio

Noche de Paz- Silent Night

Noche de paz- beautifully sung

Gos Help - Silent Night / Noche de Paz- Bilingual

Campanas de belen-

Belen, campanas de belen- little children singing

A la nanita Nana- Cheetah girls

a la nanita nana

ROCIO JURADO VILLANCICO HACIA BELEN CAMINAN


All these are You Tube songs. Please monitor all viewing as some of the messages may not be appropriate. However, if you just look at the videos, you will enjoy them!

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG

Burrito Sabanero
Compuesto por Hugo Blanco
(Venezuela)

(Coro)
Con mi burrito sabanero
voy camino de Belén
Con mi burrito sabanero
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén

El lucerito mañanero
ilumina mi sendero
El lucerito mañanero
ilumina mi sendero
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén

Con mi cuatrico voy cantando
mi burrito va trotando
con mi cuatrico voy cantando
mi burrito va trotando
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén

Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui Tu
Apúrate mi burrito
que ya vamos a llegar
Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui Tu
apúrate mi burrito
vamos a ver a Jesús
(coro)

Y otra versión dice:

(Coro)
Con mi burrito sabanero
voy camino de Belén
Con mi burrito sabanero
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén
si me ven si me ven
voy camino de Belén

Con mi burrito voy cantando
mi burrito va tocando
Con mi burrito voy cantando
mi burrito va tocando
si me ven
si me ven
voy camino de Belén

Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui Tu
Apúrate mi burrito
que ya vamos a llegar
Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui Tu
apúrate mi burrito
vamos a ver a Jesús

Here are multiple versions of this song on You Tube. This song is one of the most popular songs in Latin America. Click below to see how differently hispanics celebrate Navidad with this song.

EL BURRITO DE BELEN

Carlitos Mi burrito sabanero 1978- The best one!!!

Navidad 2006

ticktock tick tock burrito sabanero

Mi Burrito Sabanero

El burrito Sabanero

voz veis burrito sabanero

burrito sabanero

MORA ARRIAGA SINGS "BURRITO SABANERO"

El Burrito Sabanero

Lucent Technologies VE - Con mi Burrito Sabanero