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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Mind Your Manners in Spanish

 

Teaching the 'magic' words can be a great way to start the year. These are absolutely necessary vocabulary words for students at any age and go a long way when used properly. In my classroom we started with the three in the video below:

Gracias, Perdón y Por Favor


Before watching the video, I would start by teaching target magic words separately with images and motions. A lot of the motions I come up with are based in sign language or what naturally would occur to me. Please note: this video treats perdón as sorry. You can separate it as pardon me and teach 'lo siento' and 'discula' separately or just teach perdón.


"'Por favor' means please. This dog really wants to have a bone so he should say... (wait for response of por favor")" Students then make a begging motion every time they say 'por favor'



"'Gracias' means 'thank you.'  'De nada' means 'you're welcome.' It is little bear's birthday. He received a present from big bear. So little bear should say... (wait for response of gracias.)" Big bear should say... (wait for the resposne of 'de nada.' Students shake hands with both hands when they hear the word 'gracias.' Students should wave it off when they hear the phrase 'de nada.' 

Note: I used one picture for 'gracias' and 'de nada.' I chose to do this because they phrases usually come together but there are benefits of having separate pictures for both. 
"'Mucho gusto' means 'It's a pleasure.' These two men just met but the man with a hat has to leave. The man with the hat should say before he leaves... (wait for response of mucho gusto.)" Students shake hands with one hand when they hear the phrase mucho gusto.
"'Perdón' means 'pardon me.' Garfield just burped. Garfield should say... (wait for response of perdón.)" Students will move to another spot on the carpet without bumping into anyone (another way of saying excuse me (con permiso or disculpe) should be explained.)
"'Lo siento' means 'I'm sorry.' Robin Hood just hit his friend with an arrow. Robin Hood didn't meant to. After he makes sure his friend is ok, he should say... (wait for response of lo siento.)" Students will turn to a partner an place their hand on their partner's shoulder when they say the phrase 'lo siento.'
 
After working on the video, motions, and stories for each word. Here's a simple sheet where you can write in the word in the call out bubble that matches the image. Then you can cut along the dotted line to make vocab flash cards where you paste the word on the back of the image. 
 

 
 
A fun game that could be easily adapted in Spanish is this game by Noodleboro on saying please and thank you:
 
 

Here are some books you can try to use to accompany the lesson:
I also think a great way to keep up use of this vocabulary throughout the year would be to a small celebration every time you hear someone use it. For instance, if a student said one of the words I would have a wand in my classroom and tap them on the shoulders (as if knighting them) to reward them for using the word. I would suggest doing this kind of reward several weeks after teaching the lesson so that you aren't knighting/celebrating too many times in a class period.