Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts

Monday, August 5, 2024

Whistlefritz Streaming Service: An Essential Spanish-Language Learning Tool

Whistlefritz Streaming Service: An Essential Spanish-Language Learning Tool


The following post is in collaboration with Whistlefritz. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Parents! Learn about Whistlefritz's new streaming service that makes it more accessible than ever for homeschooling families and bilingual educators. And get the special offer just for MommyMaestra readers!

We all know how crucial integrating engaging Spanish-language resources into early education is for fostering bilingual skills. One standout option is Whistlefritz. Keep reading to learn how Whistlefritz's streaming service enhances Spanish learning and supports educational goals.

High-Quality Spanish Immersion Content for PreK - Elementary


I really like that Whistlefritz is an immersion program. Their philosophy is that children learn a new language best when they are surrounded by it. That means that all of the streaming videos that you get access to are Spanish-only with no English translations. It's the way all of us learned to speak our first language! So why not our second? 

And I know that a lot of Latina moms in my homeschool group are raising bilingual children using one of three methods:
  • OPOL: The One Parent, One Language method typically involves one parent strictly speaking the minority language and the other speaking the dominant language. This is a full immersion method.
  • MLAH: The Minority Language At Home method means just that and is also a full immersion method.
  • Class Instruction: Language learning is treated as a school subject and a curriculum or class is used. This may be an in-person class outside the home, or online instruction. This is frequently supplemented with Spanish resources, such as videos, games, apps, and more.
In any of these situations, the new Whistlefritz streaming service is a valuable tool. I had a chance to check out their new streaming service, which features video content that complements these lessons with engaging visuals and entertaining characters like Fritzi the mouse, adding a dynamic element to the learning experience.

Whistlefritz streaming service for young Spanish learners.


Interactive and Engaging Learning Features


I first learned about Whistlefritz YEARS ago when all the music videos were available on CDs. Like any good business, they have adapted to the times and now offer their videos via a streaming service. It enhances learning through short, fun videos that align with the lesson content. While not mandatory, these videos are recommended in extension activities and serve as a delightful supplement to the hands-on lessons. 

The videos are fun to watch! I showed them to my 6 year old who was curious and engaged - I really love products and curricula that make learning enjoyable. It's something that I specifically look for when considering what resources I plan to use in our homeschool.

(If you're looking for an actual curriculum, Whistlefritz provides a comprehensive curriculum that centers each lesson around interactive activities, teaching specific concepts and new vocabulary in a hands-on manner. The program includes 40 lessons that span various subjects such as science, art, and physical education, making it a versatile tool for young learners.)

User-Friendly Platform for Busy Moms

The Whistlefritz streaming service is user-friendly and designed with busy homeschooling moms in mind. The platform allows for easy navigation and access to a library of videos that complement the curriculum. The dashboard is divided up into playlists with themes such as:

  • Full Length Programs
  • Spanish Shorts
  • Spanish Music Albums
  • Featured videos of the month
  • Bonus Materials
  • Alphabet & Letters
  • Animals
  • Back-to-School
  • so much more!!

Whistlefritz streaming service for busy Latina moms.



The Featured monthly videos help streamline the teaching process, making it easier to integrate Spanish-language learning into your daily routines. And it also includes functions that let you add specific videos to your calendar or to mark them as "Favorites" so that you can access them quickly and easily. 


How Whistlefritz Supports Bilingual Educators


Extensive Library of Spanish-Language Resources

Are you a bilingual educator? If so, you'll like that Whistlefritz offers a robust collection of resources through its streaming service. You can access a variety of videos that align with your lesson plans, enhancing the educational experience with culturally relevant content. The program’s cross-curricular approach not only supports Spanish language development but also integrates science, art, and other subjects, making it a valuable resource for diverse classroom settings.

Tools for Classroom Integration

Whistlefritz provides teachers with tools that facilitate easy integration into the classroom environment. The lesson plan book includes detailed instructions, vocabulary lists, and activity guides, while the streaming service offers additional multimedia resources to support lesson objectives. This combination of structured lesson plans and supplemental videos makes it easier for you to deliver effective and engaging Spanish instruction.


Whistlefritz streaming service is immersive and culturally rich.


Unique Features of Whistlefritz That Stand Out


Culturally Rich Content

I strongly believe that teaching culture and traditions goes hand-in-hand with language learning. I think Whistlefritz’s streaming service stands out for its incorporation of culturally rich content. The program features videos and lessons that celebrate Hispanic culture and traditions, providing students with a deeper understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. This cultural emphasis helps to create a more immersive and meaningful learning experience.


Tips for Getting the Most Out of Whistlefritz


Set Up Your Account & Explore the Topics

To maximize the benefits of Whistlefritz’s streaming service, start by setting up and customizing your account. Take time to explore the available videos and select those that best complement your lesson plans. I would advise that you use a paper planner - or your homeschool planner! - and at the beginning of the week look to see what topics you'll be studying. The scroll through the streaming service to select videos that will complement your lessons. 

Download the Home Educator's Guide

If you prefer a more structured plan, then this Home Educator's Guide provides a daily schedule integrating lesson plans, music, videos, and activities for 46 weeks, complete with a printable checklist. It's an easy, manageable way to incorporate Spanish into your homeschool routine. Download your copy from Whistlefritz's homeschool page to get started!

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Whistlefritz’s streaming service offers a valuable addition to any Spanish-language learning curriculum, especially for homeschooling Hispanic moms and bilingual educators. With its engaging videos, culturally rich content, and user-friendly interface, it provides an effective and enjoyable way to teach Spanish. Explore the program by visiting their website to download samples and see if Whistlefritz is the right fit for your educational needs.

Special Offer: 2 Weeks Free Whistlefritz Streaming Service!


Special Offer: 2 Weeks Free Streaming!

Want to try Whistlefritz’s streaming service? Whistlefritz is generously offering 2 (two!) weeks of FREE STREAMING to MommyMaestra readers! You won't find this anywhere else, so you need to use this special link to sign up and I'll send you the directions on how to access it. 

But the 2-weeks starts on August 11th and ends on August 24th, so be sure to sign up ASAP!

Enjoy this opportunity!

Thursday, July 11, 2024

12+ Alebrije Crafts for Kids in English & Spanish




If you are on the lookout for fun and educational craft ideas, you’ve landed in the right spot! Here are 10+ Alebrije crafts for kids - learn how to make them for a school or home art project.

This post contains affiliate links.

Who created alebrijes?


Alebrijes, with their vibrant colors and fantastical shapes, originate from Mexican folk art and have captured hearts worldwide. They were created by Mexican artist Pedro Linares López in the 1930s. Linares, a papier-mâché artist, was bedridden with a high fever and had a vivid dream in which he saw strange, fantastical creatures. When he recovered, he began recreating these creatures out of papier-mâché, calling them "alebrijes." The creatures often combine features from various animals and are painted in vibrant, surreal colors. The tradition of making alebrijes has since become a significant part of Mexican folk art.

A Mexican Tradition


As you can read above, this art form is less than 100 years old. In fact, when I was growing up, we didn't really keep alebrijes in our home. I would see them at fairs or when we traveled to Mexico, but they were more pieces of art that you saw in different venues. They became a lot more well known after the Disney/Pixar movie, Coco, featured them as being spirit guides in the Land of the Dead. And today, many people collect these unusual statue-like creatures.

Alebrije Kid Crafts


In this blog post, there are 12+ delightful and kid-friendly crafts inspired by these whimsical creatures. These easy-to-follow tutorials will help children craft their very own alebrijes, fostering artistic expression and cultural appreciation. I encourage you to nurture your children's creativity and urge them to bring to life whatever their imagination comes up with.

So, gather your supplies and let your child’s creativity soar with these perfect Alebrijes crafts!




Gather Your Art Supplies


Before you get started, first decide on the tutorial you'll be using. Then go ahead and get all your art supplies together. Here are some of the supplies used in the following art lessons:

How to Make Your Own Alebrije Videos for Younger Kids




The first one comes from Art With Trista. In this quick video, she shows how to create an alebrije collage. This is perfect for all ages, but younger children may or may not need help drawing their alebrije.



Then, Amber Heigl will walk us through some simple steps to create our own paper alebrijes. This craft is ideal for all ages. This craft is explained in a two-part video. Here is Part 2.



In the next video, the Teaching Artist Cassie Smith will describe THREE different art projects that can be done with alebrijes (Pop-Up Alebrije Card, Alebrije Story Board, and Alebrije Found Objects Sculptures) on the Austin Parks and Recreation channel. These are easy to do for a school project or at home, and are also separated in age groups, even though they can be adapted to fit any age group.



Next, we have a two-part video on Alebrije Sculpture Crumpled Paper Tutorial for Kids from Miss Annis, who gives us a tutorial on how to make an alebrije sculpture from crumpled paper. Part 1 is shown above. Here is Part 2.



This video from the National City Public Library gives us a quick visual explanation on how to create an alebrije craft. This is perfect for ages 10+, and an activity for the entire family.


Alebrije Video Tutorials for Older Children



For older children who are willing to experiment with some more challenging supplies, this video from Melissa Offutt gives us a fast explanation on how to make an alebrije with papier-mâché



Another, more advanced project comes from Ana Gabriela López Castro, who gives us a 7-minute tutorial on how to build the alebrije’s structure with papier-mâché. This tutorial is shown in fast motion to include all the steps needed to build the structure. 



In the next video, Elizabeth Smetana walks you through the process of sketching and combining two animals into one alebrije creature. This is a set of two-part video. Here is Part 2.




On this final video in English, Eagle Art Studio with Mrs. Pérez, we can follow the simple steps to make a sturdy stencil for an alebrije. This is a three-part video. (Part 2 / Part 3)



The next video is from IDEART Classroom, where we can watch how some high school students created some alebrijes sculptures for their Day of the Dead altar. This video shows a vast collection of these 3D alebrijes. Even though this is not a tutorial, it can give you lots of ideas on how to create your own alebrijes sculptures. 


Alebrije Video Tutorials in Spanish



To create an alebrije with materials that we have at home, we can watch SECVER Oficial. There we can watch a tutorial on how to create this craft at home.



I also really love this tutorial from Kraft Toon! This video teaches kids who to make a moving alebrije out of recycled materials. It's adorable, easy, and FUN!



And here's another one from Kraft Toon. This one is even easier to make, in my opinion, and still super fun and colorful. 
 


And here is one for making a frog alebrije. I like this one best because it is super simple and easy enough for even a little child to make. And if you like these video tutorials, I encourage you to check out Kraft Toons' channel because they have a lot more alebrije videos for different skill levels. 

Friday, March 31, 2023

Machu Picchu Lesson Plans, Videos, Books, & More

icelight from Boston, MA, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are studying Peru in your home or school classroom, you will want to bookmark this collection of Machu Picchu lesson plans, videos, books, and more that I found while researching.  

Surprisingly, there wasn't as many resources as I had expected when I began looking for them online. These are the most kid-friendly ones that I saw and felt would be a good fit for a unit study of Peru. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links.


Machu Picchu Lesson Plans




Printables and Activities

It's hard to find activities about Machu Picchu for PreK and early elementary, but these first two are a good fit. 



Videos




Children's Books about Machu Picchu


Machu Picchu: The story of the amazing Inkas and their city in the clouds



Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu
 
by Ted Lewin

Where Is Machu Picchu?

Where Is Machu Picchu?
by Megan Stine 


Machu Picchu: Children's Latin American History Book


For Teens:


Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time



Lost City of the Incas

by Hiram Bingham

Other Posts You May Enjoy:


Monday, January 16, 2023

5+ Videos for Kids on How to Draw Martin Luther King Jr.



In honor of MLK Day, I decided to share with you some really great video tutorials for kids on how to draw Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Art is always a fun way to learn about historical figures, especially if you can't make a trip to the library for biographies or don't have any other resources to study someone. Below are several videos for drawing the famous civil rights activist. And I tried to include ones for different ages and skill levels.

This post contains affiliate links.

Gather Your Art Supplies


Before you get started, first decide on the video tutorial you'll be using. Then go ahead and get all your art supplies together. Here are some of the supplies used in the following art lessons.


How to Draw Martin Luther King Jr. Videos


Art for Kids Hub is one of my favorite drawing-for-kids channels. They have this video tutorial for How To Draw Cartoon Martin Luther King Jr.:


BONUS! You may also enjoy their drawing lesson for How To Draw I Have A Dream:


I love Making Art with Ms. B's directed drawing video because it's a different presentation of Dr. King - SO creative!


Art Projects for Kids has this simple and fabulous video lesson for drawing Dr. King:


Older students may enjoy this How to Draw Martin Luther King EASY - Step by Step for KIDS w/ Background from Mr. Schuette 's - ART CLASS:


And I really love this easy tutorial from Deep Space Sparkle that uses sharpie markers and watercolors for making a Martin Luther King Jr. Portrait:



Monday, October 24, 2022

10 Videos for Kids on How to Draw Sugar Skulls

10 Videos for Kids on How to Draw Sugar Skulls

There are literally dozens of fantastic tutorials on YouTube on how to draw sugar skulls. Some of them are just the cutest things I've ever seen. And some of them have been turned into really clever crafts. With my own kids in mind, I went through and found some of the best videos for drawing or painting calaveras. Scroll through the ones I've listed below and let your kids pick out the ones they'd like to try!

This post contains affiliate links.

Gather Your Art Supplies

Before you get started, first decide on the video tutorial you'll be using. Then go ahead and get all your art supplies together. Here are some of the supplies used in the following art lessons.


How to Draw Frida Kahlo Videos


The first ones come from Miss Teresa Art (I've shared her art tutorials before)



Art for Kids Hub is one of my absolute favorite online drawing programs for kids. I've written about them before.



iCanHazDraw has a two part tutorial. Part one is shown below. And here's a link to part two.



Here's one from Articco Drawing:



Deep Space Sparkle is always one of the best art resources online. Here's their tutorial for a mixed media art piece:



Frazier Tales has this simple and easy to follow tutorial for younger students.



Maybe your student is really into pixel art? Then they'll like this tutorial from Hello Pixel Art.



I really love these little Sugar Skull Bookmarks from Red Ted Art!



Jessica Rocks has this fun tutorial for painting sugar skulls on rocks.



And if people calaveras aren't really your thing, then here's a lesson for drawing a calavera CAT from Draw So Cute:


Thursday, September 15, 2022

How to Draw Like Picasso



As I was working on activities for Hispanic Heritage Month, I researched artists. I was thinking about Cubism and how to draw like Pablo Picasso, so I decided to look up some video lessons for kids and found a fantastic collection of videos that you may enjoy. Some of them include a short biography on Picasso at the beginning of the video, but not all of them. I hope that you'll find one (or more!) of these tutorials easy to follow and inspirational. You can learn more about the artists if you visit my post on Pablo Picasso Lesson Plans, Activities, Coloring Pages, and More.

This post contains affiliate links.

Gather Your Art Supplies

Before you get started, first decide on the video tutorial you'll be using. Then go ahead and get all your art supplies together. Here are some of the supplies used in the following art lessons.


How to Create a Picasso/Cubist Face


We'll start with this lesson for K - 5 from Meghan Bergman (be sure to check out her Picasso card game, too)



Mr. Schuette 's - ART CLASS has this simple art lesson for younger children.



I Love Drawing has this mini-lesson on CUBISM FOR KIDS!



Art Fun with Vanessa Lombardo shows you how to draw two different types of faces. I like how she uses different supplies to color in the faces.



Rainbow Parrot Art has this great tutorial on Cubist Portraits. I think it is better suited for older children.


She also has this excellent Picasso Portrait Lesson for Beginners.




Tutorials for Unique Cubist Art


If you'd like to get away from human faces and would like to try something different, check out this one from Admire Design.



Or if you don't like drawing at all, maybe this cardboard Cubist face tutorial from Ms. Pomranky's Art Room is more to your liking!



And this one from Art with Ms. Steratore is awesome, too. It features Picasso's Blue Guitar...


Here's Part 2 and Part 3

Cubism Tutorials for Digital Drawings


The one is a Cubism/Picasso-inspired portrait using illustration software or app, such as Procreate.



Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Frogs: Lesson Plans, Videos, Books & More

Frog Lesson Plans, Videos, Books, and More

This Friday is Save the Frogs Day!

Did you know that worldwide, amphibians have seen a dramatic decline in their populations? Frogs appear to be especially vulnerable to changes in their environment.  

Save the Frogs Day takes place every year on the last Saturday of April. This year, I'm ahead of the game and sharing resources so you can plan your own frog lessons/celebrations. I hope you enjoy this list. 

Printable Frog Checkers Game (bilingual!)

But first, just a note to my newsletter subscribers: be on the lookout for this month's newsletter in your inbox. The freebie is this adorable and super fun set of Frog Checkers! 

Lesson Plans


Some great lesson plans found online ready to be downloaded or great for ideas...


Frog Websites & Articles


Here are some remarkable websites and articles with tons of resources. 


Videos


I love all of these videos! And your kids will, too.

Books


Check out these fascinating books from your local library or order them from your favorite bookshop! (affiliate links to Amazon)

Friday, April 16, 2021

Resources for Celebrating Selena Day

Put on your most purple outfit and order some pizza because April 16th is officially Selena Day!

It’s a day to celebrate and honor the life of Tejano music’s most cherished icon, Selena Quintanilla Perez. Back in 1995, while fans all over the US, Mexico, and throughout Latin America were still grieving the death of their beloved star, then-Governor George W. Bush declared that April 16th, Selena’s birthday, would be an official Texas holiday.

I still recall fondly watching Selena Y Los Dinos in concert when I was little and never imagined all these years later I’d be looking for ways to celebrate the life of this singer in my homeschool.  Yet, here I am and I’m happy to report there are a few wonderful resources available to make this day a memorable homeschool event!




Books

First, if you can get your hands on this book called Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, do it! It’s Just. So. Lovely!!! Here’s a review with all the details.


Here are a couple of other children’s books about Selena you may want to buy OR consider asking your library to purchase them!   


Lesson Plans and Activities


If you want to check off a few school subjects for the day, try using some of these lesson plans from Little Bee Books and Teachers Pay Teachers.


Selena Lesson Plans in English



Selena Lesson Plans in Spanish:


There are many more resources on TPT about Selena, but here’s a tip for searching, type out “Selena Quintanilla Perez.”  Just “Selena” will take you to thousands of lesson plans about Selena Gomez.  


Websites


Here are a couple of kid-friendly websites for your Selena research.


Movie and TV Series


Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos make “Selena,” the movie a must watch! But as a parent, I do believe you have to discern what age would be appropriate. There are no bad words or smut.  But there is the infamous and hilarious bustier scene, a scene where some rockers trash a hotel room, and Selena and Chris’ romance. There are themes dealing with racism and sexism. And of course, there is the end with Selena’s tragic, senseless, and violent death. I’d recommend that parents preview the movie first and IMHO, the best ages for this movie are middle school and up.


On Netflix, there is the new “Selena: The Series Part 1” with Part 2 to premiere next month. This series would not hold a youngster’s attention. I recommend middle school and up with the parent preview first. This series does an excellent job of depicting Selena’s and the entire Qunitanilla family’s struggle to make it in the music business. Their determination and creativity are inspiring. 


YouTube


Probably the most important thing you and your family could do is to simply listen to Selena’s music.  Music was her gift, her calling, the driving force in her short but brilliant life.  No need to buy if funds are tight because YouTube has them all on the Selena Official channel.


You can listen to her albums, watch her music videos, and see concert clips.  My family’s favorite to watch are clips from Selena’s performance at the Astrodome. Here she is singing her most famous song, “Como La Flor”:


Selena’s life has left a lasting mark on my family and we will definitely be celebrating this April 16th with Coke, pizza, and Doritos (you’ll get why this menu after you see the movie ;)) and some of these activities. We hope you and your family do, too!  If there is any doubt about the significant impact of Selena’s legacy around the world, just watch this absolutely adorable video that just went viral 3 weeks ago with almost 4 million views! 


Proof that Selena’s talent is timeless.


Other Posts You May Enjoy:



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Written by:

Stacie Servantes Farias is an Army wife and mom of 6 with a “very healthy” obsession for Snoopy, Disney movies, Audrey Hepburn, Dr. Pepper, Whataburger, books, and homeschooling. Originally from Mission, Texas, Stacie and her high-school sweetheart hubby live with their kids and dog in a different home every few years, because that is the military life. She has big plans to write a book exploring her theory that La Llorona drowned her children because they would take their socks off all over the house and then would complain that they never had clean socks! Stacie also thinks she is really funny, but she is mostly lame awesome.

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