| Activities
Animal Names
Familiarize children with animal names in two
languages through word games
Introduction
In the Maya & Miguel episode, “Rhymes
with ‘Gato’,” Chrissy’s kitten runs
away. Maya and her friends put up signs and spread the word
about the lost “gato.” Unfortunately, Maggie’s
Spanish is terrible, and she tells people they’re
missing a “pato” – a duck. Soon Maya is
stuck with an unhappy duck in her apartment, on the same
afternoon that the landlord is coming by to make some repairs.
And, she still has to find the lost kitty.
In this activity, animal names will
be read and spoken in two languages. A magnetic animal farm
will be created to teach animal names in English and Spanish.
For a group, sharing native language will be encouraged
between English language learners and English language speakers.
Materials:
- bilingual animal names (listed below)
- magnetic strips
- glue
- scissors
- index cards
- small animal pictures from magazines, books, etc.
Directions: Make
a magnetic animal farm for your refrigerator door! Cut out
animal pictures and glue each picture on an index card.
Attach a magnetic strip to the back of each card. Write
each animal name on another index card and attach magnetic
strips; make both Spanish and English name cards. Encourage
your child to say the names of each animal in Spanish and
English. Match names with each animal picture.
| Spanish |
English |
| el conejito |
bunny |
| el gato |
cat |
| el perro |
dog |
| el pato |
duck |
| la carpa dorada |
goldfish |
| la rana |
frog |
| la marmota |
hamster |
| la tortuga |
turtle |
| el mascota |
pet |
| el poni |
pony |
| el loro |
parrot |
Talk About It: Ask
your child to tell what each one of the above animals looks
like, eats, where it lives and if it would make a good pet
for your family.
Take It Further:
- Learn animal names in other foreign languages by visiting
Enchanted Learning.
- Identify pet characteristics by asking your child to
listen to these clues. Example: A cat meows; a dog _________.
A cat has paws; a fish has _____________., etc. This is
a fun way for your child to use his/her listening skills
to build language.
With a Group:
Explore the amazing world of animals and learn about the
responsibilities that go along with caring for a pet at
home. Use these ideas to help your group gain some important
pet savvy:
- Visit your local animal control facility.
- Arrange for a pet store employee to share daily job
duties.
- Take a tour of your local veterinarian clinic.
- Research the “pets” and the “lost
and found” sections
of the newspaper.
|
