january WEEK 1: digital LESSON

Hey Teachers! You can share this digital lesson with your students all at once or split it into smaller segments to use throughout the week. Make sure to join in and watch with your students to learn or refresh your own Spanish skills too!
You will practice:​
​1. Taking attendance: 00:00-4:23
2.  Rules: 4:24-11:07: 
(Teach Easy Review Activity 1) 
3.  Compliments: 11:08-14:57
(Teach Easy Review Activity 2) 
4.  The Puppet: Kiss/Hug: 14:58-19:04
5. The Puppet: Give me 5!: 19:05-22:25

 january week 1: EASY breezy Review activities

Hey there, teachers!
Get ready for some fun and simple review activities to reinforce the Spanish from the digital lesson. No Spanish? No problem! The review activities are specially designed for teachers with no Spanish background! You and your students will be picking up new words in no time. Dive into the activities below and let the adventure begin!

1. classroom Rules (10 minutes)

Supplies Needed: Rules Poster (Download it below)
I recommend starting each Spanish class by reviewing two or three of the rules below—this helps set the tone and reinforces positive habits. Print and display copies of the rules poster around your classroom for quick reference anytime. Use the pronunciation key to practice saying the rules with a Spanish accent. If you're just getting started, play the audio tracks to guide you.
  • Track 1 features a longer version of the rules, great for learning the phrases step-by-step.
  • Track 2 provides a shorter version, perfect for a quick refresher as you and your students gain confidence.
After a few classes, switch to Track 2 for a faster review. Soon enough, you'll have these rules memorized and can seamlessly introduce a couple at the start of each session!
Make it interactive: Act out the rules alongside your students as you listen to the audio. The first rule, "Criss-Cross Applesauce," has the most words and is highlighted below for emphasis. Have fun and enjoy the energy it brings to your classroom!
Pronunciation Key of the Rules: 
Rules Poster
Criss-Cross Applesauce Highlighted
"Siéntense y mírenme. Manos así."
I always start Spanish class chanting and acting out the first rule "Criss-Cross Applesauce" in Spanish to ensure my students are seated nicely and ready to learn, and I encourage you to do the same!

The first rule: Criss-Cross, Applesauce in Spanish translates as: "Siéntense y mírenme. Manos así." It literally translates as: "Sit down and look at me. Hands like this." (Use the yellow poster below to help you guide your  students through the actions that accompany the rule.)

Every time your class says, chants, or sings, "Siéntense y mírenme. Manos así," everyone should do the actions outlined in the yellow poster below. Let the audio track guide you—it’s a great tool to help reinforce the phrase and actions.
Actions to Accompany: "Siéntense y mírenme. Manos así."
While children often cross their legs like the boy in the picture above, you can decide if that's a requirement in your class or if they can sit however they like, as long as their legs or knees aren’t touching another child.
Watch how naturally these preschoolers say and act the "Criss-Cross Applesauce Rule!
If they can do it your students can too. It just take repetition and practice!

2. Compliments (10 minutes)

Supplies Needed: Compliment Poster (Download it below)
Transform your classroom into a hub of positivity with this fun and uplifting compliment activity!
  1. Print the Poster: Start by printing several copies of the compliment poster and displaying them around your classroom and school.
  2. Play the Audio: Use the included audio track to teach the compliments in a lively and memorable way.
Once the compliments are familiar, invite your students to join in:
  • Call on a student and ask them to choose a compliment they'd like to receive. Then, have the entire class sing their chosen compliment to them! ​Watch as your students light up with joy! This heartwarming activity fosters kindness, builds confidence, and makes spreading compliments in Spanish a daily classroom tradition.
Dear Teachers,
Congratulations on kicking off the New Year with Spanish, Lesson 1! 🎉 You should feel incredibly proud of yourself for embracing the journey of learning Spanish alongside your students. By teaching them a second language, you’re giving them a priceless gift that will enrich their lives for years to come. Keep up the amazing work—you’re making a lasting impact! 🌟 
​XO Theresa
                                                   Share Your Wins!

​Every time we get your WINS  AND SUCCESSES in our inbox, we can’t help but do a little happy dance — to "Don't Stop Believing" or "La Bamba" of course! Why? Because success doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your wins are our wins, and they’re proof for others that when you do the work, you get results. 

Whether your students are finally beginning to repeat or sing in Spanish along with the online videos,  or say random words in Spanish throughout the day, or teachers are feeling more confident carrying out the follow-up activities, or parents are sharing that their child is saying words in Spanish at home — we want to hear your wins BIG and small!
​
Celebrating you always,
Theresa & Team HOLA