Unit 1, Fifth Grade
9/29‐10/27
Dear Parents,
We have begun unit 1 of Spanish with your fifth grader. In this unit, students will learn about countries where Spanish is spoken. We will also learn about Dia de los Muertos and how it draws from the cultures of the native tribes as well as the explorers who colonized the area. Please use the vocabulary and suggestions below to help reinforce these concepts at home!
Sincerely,
Fabiola Murillo and Gabriela Arredondo
Corresponding IB Unit: Where we are in time and place.
Spanish Connection: Looking at how native and colonizing cultures create new ideas.
Objectives: Review basics, teach classroom objects, learn about Dia de los Muertos.
Countries where Spanish is spoken
Argentina
1. Argentina
2. Bolivia
3. Chile
Bolivia
Chile
4. Colombia
5. Costa Rica
6. Cuba
7. Ecuador
8. El Salvador
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
El Salvador
9. España
10. Guatemala
11. Guinea Ecuatorial
12. Honduras
13. México
14. Nicaragua
15. Panamá
16. Paraguay
17. Perú
18. Puerto Rico
19. República Dominicana
20. Uruguay
21. Venezuela
Spain
Guatemala
Equatorial Guinea
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic
Uruguay
Venezuela
Dia de los muertos
22. antepasados
ancestors
23. atole
24. calacas
corn flour drink
skeleton figurines
25. calaveras de azúcar
26. cempasúchil
27. mole
28. ofrenda
29. pan de muerto
sugar skulls
marigold
spicy sauce often made with chocolate
offering
day of the dead bread
30. papel picado
cut paper banners
Tips for home reinforcement
Pronunciation guide in Spanish:
A is pronounced ‘ah’ like in father E is pronounced ‘eh’ like in met
I is pronounced ‘ee’ like in feet
O is pronounced ‘oh’ like the oa sound in boat U is pronounced ‘oo’ like in boot or tune Suggestions for home:
 Make signs in Spanish to label things around your home
 Make your own flashcards in Spanish (and have your child draw the pictures for them!)
 Go to freerice.com to practice vocabulary! Click on “More Subjects” and then choose Spanish.
 Have everyone at home try to use this unit’s vocabulary in Spanish!
 Check out some children’s books from the library in Spanish and work together to decode them!
 See if your child’s favorite DVD has language options! Sometimes you can set the spoken language to be in Spanish and put captions on in English.
 Explore YouTube for fun teaching songs in Spanish
 Some free printable worksheets in Spanish can be found at www.enchantedlearning.com/