Calico Stories: Homeschool Spanish Program Giveaway

 

The following is a sponsored post with Calico Spanish. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

This year's Back-to-School Fiesta ends on a fabulous note with this outstanding giveaway from Calico Spanish. 

Calico Spanish Stories is a comprehensive, parent/teacher-led online curriculum. With 4 levels, 200+ hours of planned lesson content, and more than 360 open-and-go lesson plans, everything you need to lead a child on the journey to speak real Spanish to real people is at your fingertips - even if you don’t speak Spanish!

Fun characters interact in Video Stories using authentic, comprehensible Spanish, and a full range of supporting materials like posters, flashcards, games, and activity sheets get kids engaged with the language they’re acquiring over and over in new and fun ways. 

Led by homeschool moms, Calico Spanish is always ready to support families learning at home with significant discounts and online support. 

If you'd like to read my comprehensive review of Calico Spanish, click here.

If you are already convinced and want to purchase the program now, visit their website!

The Giveaway

Calico Spanish is graciously offering a full year of access to the program, along with your choice of one level’s Visuals Pack, which provides professionally printed versions of the level’s flashcards, posters, and storybooks.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MamaLingua GO! for Bilingual Families

Have you heard? MamaLingua has launched an amazing new website! 

MamaLingua GO! is a digital library offering an endless library with over 15,000 books from publishers around the world, especially Latin America and Spain. They have curated these books based on fluency levels on their carrousel. Mama Lingua is currently customizing reading plans on the learning platform side so anyone can engage with a reading plan and self learn. They are also collaborating with educators in Latin America making Spanish lessons affordable, authentic and a wonderful cultural experience.

Owner, Aileen Passariello says:

I have been heads down building this platform for the last two years in a goal to support families raising bilingual kids. After working with various dual language programs and families, the #1 question i heard was "How do I support my bilingual learner?" MamaLingua GO! has an unlimited amount of authentic Spanish books (English ones, too), virtual Spanish tutors, guided reading plans, and more. It is accessible with dyslexic features and text-to-speech supporting all bilingual learners, no matter the age, fluency, interest, or preferences. 

This is such a fabulous resource for families! If you're convinced you need this for yours, don't wait! Go and sign up today!

The Giveaway

We have TWO giveaways! MamaLingua has graciously offered a subscription to MamaLingua GO! for one reader (a $75 value), AND 5 Spanish lessons for another reader.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Risas y Sonrisas Homeschool Spanish Program

 

We have one last complete Spanish homeschool package to give away this year. Thank you to long time MommyMaestra sponsor, Risas y Sonrisas, for helping our readers teach the next generation Spanish! 

Over the years, owner Leticia Smith has poured her heart and soul into this program developing new materials and ways of learning as times change and new technology becomes available. 

Risas y Sonrisas Homeschool Program

Kindergarten-5th grade

For Homeschools, Parents, and Tutors

The Homeschool Program is perfect for teaching and learning Spanish at home! It can be used in-person or remotely with students of all ages and abilities. Our curriculum is comprehensive and easy to follow, making repetition fun and accelerating learning. You don’t even need to speak Spanish to start teaching and learning with Risas y Sonrisas today!

The Homeschool Program includes a comprehensive Instructor Manual with over 100 hours of lesson plans as well as a complete set of high-quality, full-color printed materials. All this is complemented with our complete Online Program, the digital version of our curriculum, encouraging multi-modal practice and allowing you to teach and learn remotely.

The Giveaway

Leticia has generously offered one of her Homeschool Programs (a $299 value) to one MommyMaestra reader!

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Niños and Nature: Bilingual Nature Studies

After being cooped up for a long pandemic year, families are embracing nature studies - especially in their homeschool lessons. But finding nature-based programs have been difficult in the past. Which is why Niños and Nature is so fantastic! 

The Back-to-School Fiesta only has a few giveaways left this month, and I sure love this one! I have seen SO MANY bilingual homeschoolers searching for a nature-based curriculum. So when I saw this one, I was ecstatic! 

Read on and enter the giveaway if this sounds like a good fit for your familia...

Screen free Spanish learning for nature lovers

Niños and Nature is a series of play-based, nature-inspired Spanish courses for children ages 1½ to 6. They currently offer two courses:

Con mi Familia

A play-based Spanish course and preschool curriculum for nature lovers! These Spanish courses are designed for families who want to grow their language skills, while creating a bilingual learning environment for their children right at home. This is the perfect Spanish preschool curriculum for families that love nature, play and connecting with each other! For children 2-6

Spanish in the Wild

These seasonal bilingual nature study courses are designed for families who want to immerse themselves in Spanish, while learning more about the world around them. This is the perfect blended curriculum for language and nature study for your children and teens. This course helps you learn Spanish in every season, and encourages you to get outside for all of your language learning. Whether you are studying the anatomy of a mushroom, the lifecycle of a butterfly, or learning more about gemstones and crystals: this course helps bring Spanish to life with real world context and experiential learning. For children 5+ (even teens!)

If you'd like to see samples, click here. 

Other Posts that May Interest You

• 7 Alphabet Learning Toys
  
  
• New Bilingual Explore with Animals Series for PreK
  
  
• Learning Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
  
  
• Blossom and Root Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Review
  
  
• Bilingual Flash Cards for PreK & Kindergarten

Waldorf-Inspired Spanish Circle Time Program

There are many methods and styles of homeschooling, and we are seeing these styles translated into Spanish-learning programs. Here is the first one that I've seen that embraces the Waldorf method. 

Waldorf takes a holistic approach to learning that views the arts, humanities, and sciences as interwoven with one another, not as separate fields of life or experience. This method focuses on a true liberal arts education where the student takes all subjects and not only those in which they excel. There is a strong emphasis on rhythm and balance in the child’s life, beginning in early childhood.

Waldorf-Inspired Spanish

Spanish learning made easy and super fun!! 

Learn Spanish in a playful way through stories, puppet shows, songs and art sessions in a video format, ready to use by beginners, as well as advanced learners. 

When you access the Circle Time you will access a world of Spanish Immersive experience where you can move from full Circle Times with a Puppet show exclusively in Spanish, to a combination of materials in Spanish and English that will support your family’s learning journey. 

Each month there is a new seasonal theme that is led by the story and the songs.

The materials included are:

• Spanish Circle Time with Puppet Show (3 times per week)
• Weekly Art classes (bilingual)
• Weekly “Learn a Song of Daily Rhythms” video tutorials (bilingual)
• Weekly “Learn a Song of Circle Time” video tutorials (bilingual)
• Printable materials (bilingual)
• Mp3’s of the songs of the month
• Lyrics of the songs in Spanish and English 
• “Learn with the Puppets” video series where the characters of the story teach concepts to the children from the story. (Bilingual and bimonthly) 
• English-only version of the puppet shows included that month. 

Waldorf-Inspired Spanish also offers Spanish Live Online Classes for children through storytelling, puppet shows, art and songs.

If you'd like to, you can join their Facebook group for additional materials and inspiration!

The Giveaway

 Waldorf-Inspired Spanish is offering access for 1-month to their family subscription plan.  

To enter to win, simply use the rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Calico Spanish Dollar Deal for MommyMaestra Readers!

 

The following is a sponsored post with Calico Spanish. 

Now here's a Back-to-School deal for EVERYBODY!

Calico Spanish Stories is a comprehensive, parent/teacher-led online curriculum. (You can read MommyMaestra's complete review of their program here.)

With 4 levels, 200+ hours of planned lesson content, and more than 360 open-and-go lesson plans, everything you need to lead a child on the journey to speak real Spanish to real people is at your fingertips - even if you don’t speak Spanish. 

Fun characters interact in Video Stories using authentic, comprehensible Spanish, and a full range of supporting materials like posters, flashcards, games, and activity sheets get kids engaged with the language they’re acquiring over and over in new and fun ways. 

Led by homeschool moms, Calico Spanish is always ready to support families learning at home with significant discounts and online support. 

An Exclusive Deal for Everyone

Exclusively offered through MommyMaestra.com, families can celebrate this year’s back-to-school season with a full month of Spanish learning for just $1. The subscription automatically renews each month at a cost of just $16, and you can cancel anytime.

This offer is good through August 31st, 2021.

Enjoy!

High School Life Skills Course

The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with Thrive Academics and MommyMaestra. All opinions are my own.

Like most parents, I like to think that I'm doing everything I can to prepare my kids for adulthood. That's my intention anyway. But with my oldest starting her senior year and my middle kid going into 10th grade, I feel a certain amount of panic and wonder if I'm covering everything. I had a chance to view a demo of Voyage and it is everything I could want in an online course teaching really important life skills.

Quick Overview

Program: Thrive Academics
Class: Voyage
Religious Perspective: Secular
Format: Online
Grades: 9th - 12th
Price: $60

Teaching Teens Life Skills

Over and over, I have written about how important it is for us to take time to teach those life skills that are usually overlooked in schools. In fact, you may remember me sharing a free download last year that is a check list of life skills. I felt being stuck at home was a great time to work on them! 

Seriously, so many teens are graduating and heading into the world without knowing really important skills such as: 

• how to create and manage a budget, 
• how to plan for a career,
• how to compare insurance companies, 
• how to book appointments, 
• how to file taxes,
• how to read a map (without technology!)
• how to establish good credit,
• what to look for in health insurance,
• how to apply for a job, 
• what to do if their car breaks down,
• how to manage their time,
• how to TRAVEL through an airport, train station, etc.,
• and SO MUCH MORE!
  
  

A Focus on Life Prep

I love that Voyage is a course that carefully focuses on guiding young adults through important skills. The program has forced my 15yo son to stop and think carefully about what HE enjoys doing and how he might translate that into a career. 

Here's how it works...

There are five modules in total: 

1. Who Am I
2. Career Planning
3. College Planning
4. Financial Responsibility
5. Everyday Living

Each module has a series of lessons covering different concepts. Some of the modules have a lot more lessons than others. For example, Financial Responsibility is pretty large, but totally appropriate in length and topics.

Students log in and begin the course by setting up their own profile in the Who Am I module. They are first shown a "map" of their area. It includes their "house" and several other buildings that they enter to learn more about certain skills or to complete specific activities.

Next, they are asked to put together their virtual "room" (which looks like a teen bedroom) with items that represent the things they enjoy most. For example, if they like playing music, they can add a guitar; or if they are budding photographers, they can add a camera. If they love reading, they can add books. Or if they love sports, maybe they have a pair of running shoes on the floor or trophies on display. You get the idea.

Teens have to think carefully about who they are and what make them them by identifying their strengths, skills, and interests. 

In Career Planning, the students are directed to an interest profiler. After taking a short quiz, it makes recommendations of possible careers based on their responses. Students can click on each one to learn more about it.

College Planning teaches students how to think about and prepare for college. They'll learn how to research colleges, apply to schools, learn about financial aid, what to do after they're accepted and what to expect from campus life. This is an especially valuable module for homeschooled students, in my opinion!

Financial Responsibility is a big module. I love it. Kids learn about the different types of bank accounts and how to open one. They also learn how to balance their account, why it's important to have a savings account and how much to save, and learn about interest and retirement. They'll learn about credit cards and credit scores and how to maintain good credit. They'll learn about taxes, paying bills, and finally about student loans. 

These are SUCH IMPORTANT skills to teach and pass on to our children! It baffles me that all high school students aren't taught these in school. They are so important for success in adulthood.

The final module is Everyday Living and it touches on big things such as personal health, housing, drivers license, and good communication skills. 

Even if I had sat down and made a checklist myself of all the life skills I thought my kids needed to learn, I would have forgotten a good chunk of this. 

When I asked my son if and what he liked about it, he said he liked the idea and concept of how it was presented. He also enjoyed that the program gives him lots of resources that he can print out and keep. 

A High School Elective

My son in only through Module 3, but I'm planning to have him finish it when we start back to school in a couple of weeks. I'll then add it to his high school transcript as an elective, which is what I think all teens should do! Personally, I think colleges would really appreciate seeing this on their transcripts.

Your Free Download

Remember my comment about a checklist? Well, Thrive Academy is offering a free Adulting Checklist that helps high school students prepare for life after they graduate. This is available in an eBook format and I HIGHLY recommend downloading it. It's a valuable resource for parents (like me!!) who are trying to get it all done, but need something in front of them with everything laid out.

Want to find this post again? Pin it!

Nature Study Book Series in Spanish - Giveaway!

 

Today's Back-to-School giveaway is a fantastic collection of nature study books by the homeschool curriculum company, Nobis Pacem. You can read more about this Spanish curriculum company that follows the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling here on my site.

This series is designed for children up to 9 years old, but may be enjoyed by the entire family. Here's what Nobis Pacem says about them:

Children are, by nature, curious, and nature is a propitious place for them to enjoy, and apply, that curiosity.

The study of nature prepares them for the scientific understanding they will use throughout their education, through the acute observation of nature that leads to natural scientific discoveries and fuels the thirst for knowledge and more scientific discoveries.

Nature is found in all the subjects we will study, from science, literature, and art to how nature has affected the course of history.

This book series is designed to make it easier for parents to promote the study of nature, in a simple way since everything is included.

The Giveaway

Nobis Pacem is graciously offering a complete set of this book series to one MommyMaestra reader. 

To enter to win, simply use the rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spanish for You! Homeschool Package Giveaway

 

Today's giveaway is for those of you with middle schoolers learning Spanish!

MommyMaestra sponsor, Spanish for You!, is giving away a themed homeschool package for ages 8+/grades 3-4, 5-6, or 7-8 (valued at $42.95) PLUS the coordinating Songs & Lyrics Package ($8.99). 

This reusable and easy-to-use homeschool package comes complete with everything you need for an ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR of Spanish learning! No Spanish experience needed. Grade levels indicate the age/grade of child and are flexible to use so you can use them with multiple ages together!

Items included in the package are a soft-cover themed book, PDF Daily Lesson Guide, PDF Worksheets with Answer Keys, PDF Flashcard/Activity Pictures, MP3 Audio Files so you can hear everything, AND access to their Curriculum Users website page filled with lots of free extras!

Please note: This item is not for co-op class use. It's for personal use only.

To enter to win, simply use the rafflecopter below. 

Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Spanish Titles from Candlewick & Giveaway

The following is a sponsored book post in collaboration with Candlewick en español! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Did you know that Candlewick Press has a line of Spanish-language children's books?

There are some really fantastic titles included, such as Schomburg: El hombre que creó una biblioteca, Imagina, Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre, and Llegar a Ser Pedro just to name a few.

They have a new Instagram account for just the Spanish language books called Candlewick en español - I encourage you to follow them to learn about new releases and a few that have been around a while, but you might not have known about.

Candlewick sent me two titles with which I was not familiar, and they are both absolutely lovely. Read more about them below...

This post contains affiliate links. 

Ventanas by Julia Denos

You may be familiar with the original English version, Windows (aff). This story centers around a young boy who is taking his dog for a walk through his neighborhood on a fall evening. It describes the things he sees along the street, as well as the glimpses he gets of people in their homes. As the windows around him light up like "faroles de papel" (paper lanterns), he sees dancing, hugging, cooking, people eating dinner, doing yoga, and more.

What I love best is the sense of comfort and serenity that goes along with reading this book. Maybe we don't all live in this neighborhood, but perhaps we have in the past or know people who do. Maybe it's the neighborhood you wish you lived in or one that you'd like to visit. 

I also like the sense of community that it reflects - something that we all long to have and which we strive to nurture in our children.

Here's a peek at the inside...

We frequently talk in our Hispanic & Bilingual Homeschoolers group about Spanish books that aren't just poor translations of English titles. That's definitely not the case with this story. It's translated by the amazing Puerto Rican poet and children's book author, Georgina Lázaro.

La selva de Zonia by Juana Martinez-Neal

This book is a remarkably beautiful story that highlights an indigenous culture and nature. It follows a young girl, Zonia, who represents the largest group of indigenous people - the Asháninka - that live in the Peruvian Amazon. Zonia spends each morning responding to the rainforest's call. Her interactions with native wildlife are lovingly depicted on each page. Until one day, she discovers something that she's never seen before...

An absolutely gorgeous book visually, Martinez-Neal's illustrations include species not commonly seen in children's books, such as coatis, cock-of-the-rocks, pink dolphins, and even a red-tailed boa. 

What's even more creative and meaningful is the background of the illustrations. It was one of the first things I noticed, and I wondered if the author had used some sort of handmade paper because you can see small marks and creases. You know what? It turns out that she used actual banana bark paper handmade by women from the Amazon. Absolutely amazing. Download the press kit to learn more about the background of the story and to see some incredible pictures. I can't help but think that the original illustrations (in book form?) are an invaluable work of art. 

In the back of the book, the author also includes the entire story written in Asháninka. What a wonderful resource to share with children! There's also a description of the Asháninka people, facts about the Amazon, threats to the Amazon, snapshots of the animals in the story (with their scientific names), and a list of links to learn more.

Here's an interview with the author...

I found the video on her website, which is also FULL of GREAT resources!! There's an excellent teacher's guide that you may download for free, and tons of links to extend the learning. 

The Giveaway

Candlewick has kindly offered to giveaway two copies of each title to MommyMaestra readers for a total of 4 winners! In my opinion, these are must-have additions to your home libraries.

To enter, simply use the rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whistlefritz Spanish-Learning Program Giveaway

 

We're kicking off the 2021 MommyMaestra Back-to-School Fiesta with a fabulous giveaway from Whistlefritz!

Whistlefritz has been a strong supporter of MommyMaestra for years and this past year, they became a MommyMaestra sponsor. Thank you, Whistlefritz!

The Educator’s Spanish Collection

Designed for children in preschool through early elementary, this comprehensive program comes with everything you need to begin teaching Spanish as a second language. Each lesson is centered around an activity that teaches a specific concept and new vocabulary. It's perfect for little kids who are engaged by hands-on and project/game-based learning.

Read my complete review of this excellent program here.

Whistlefritz also just released a FREE Spanish Home Educator's Guide for homeschoolers, so you can download it to get an idea of how this program is set up to work in your home. 

The Giveaway

Whistlefritz has generously offered one of their Educator’s Spanish Collections (a $199 value) to one MommyMaestra reader! This is for the PHYSICAL VERSION - no online component.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MommyMaestra's 2021 Back-to-School Fiesta!

August has arrived! And so has my annual Back-to-School Fiesta!

This is the time of year when I share new, helpful, or just plain fun products and services that will help you make your coming school year more effective and/or enjoyable. You'll find resources for homeschoolers, parents, and teachers. So keep an eye on this website because I have a wonderful lineup for you at least three times a week (sometimes more!) for this entire month.

A few notes on important things I want to sneak in today because the other days are already full.

First, DON'T FORGET that today is your last opportunity to sign up for this amazing giveaway and your chance to win a $250 gift card to TpT! Here's the link to enter.

Second, if you use TpT to buy instant downloads of curricula and activities, be aware that the TpT sitewide Back-to-School Sale starts TOMORROW, Tuesday August 3rd and runs through the 4th. Everything in my shop will be on sale at their maximum 25% off... including new products. This is the perfect time to go through your wish list and stock up on items that you've been waiting for!

Third, WHILE you're over on TpT, go and pick up these two AH-MAZING packets - for FREE! Each year, a group of educators gets together to offer a packet of freebies. So much good stuff here! 

• Click here for the Elementary Resource.
  
  
• Click here for the Secondary Resource.

And last, if you aren't already signed up for my newsletter, please consider doing so. This month's free download is my Back-to-School Lotería game. This game is also available in my TpT shop, but it's only free to my newsletter subscribers. How fun would this be to play on your first day of class? You can sign up and receive your instant download here.

If you are shopping for the coming school year, please check here because you might win something!

Good luck to all and ENJOY!