LLamitas Spanish II Review

The following post is a collaboration between Llamitas Spanish and MommyMaestra. All thoughts and opinions are the personal ones of guest writer, Stacie Farias. This post contains affiliate links.

Parents raising bilingual children: Need an easy-to-use Spanish curriculum that blends culture with language learning? Check out Llamitas Spanish!

It is a great fit for parents who are bilingual and trying to raise bilingual kids, or those who don't speak the language but are still trying to give the gift of bilingualism to their children. Read on to learn more about this program.

What is Llamitas Spanish?

Llamitas Spanish is a relatively new Spanish curriculum provider for homeschoolers, co-ops, charter programs, and traditional schools. It is secular-based and teaches Spanish with an open-and-go format that even a non-speaker can use with ease. Llamitas’ mission to “provide an academically robust, culturally authentic, and beautifully illustrated Spanish curricula” is definitely something this Latina, homeschool mama can support.

Easy to Use Spanish Curriculum

Having almost finished Llamitas Level I with a couple of my six children, I was excited to have the opportunity to review the newly available Llamitas Level II. What was previously Level II is now Llamitas Level III and I was relieved. Taking my 9 and 11-year-olds’ Spanish proficiency into consideration, the former Level II was too advanced for them. It was just too big of a jump from Level I. My personal criteria for picking homeschool curricula is that it must be “Easy + 1” for my children, a criteria I have found again and again to be a good fit for our family since I first heard these words from Andrew Pudewa of IEW. This new Level II is exactly that: Easy + 1.

It is formatted exactly like Level I with a few more advanced activities. There are 6 thematic units encompassed in an all-in-one Activity Book. There are 18 Level 2 Readers which are small books for the children to practice reading. There are helpful links to songs and YouTube videos for each individual lesson and THE clearest audio tracks to help with pronunciation (which I particularly appreciate because other programs have terrible audio). However, my favorite bit about Level II is that it comes with a beautiful picture book of Short Stories.

The Spanish Text of Short Stories

The collection of Level II Short Stories are to help the student “practice the vocabulary, grammar, and phonics from the units” and to ”learn about the Hispanic culture, traditions, and the natural world in Latin America!”

It is written by Llamitas founder Corrie Wiik and María Adelaida Soto Sánchez. I found the short stories (in English and Spanish) to be culturally relevant, appropriate for young Spanish learners, and pleasant. Color me impressed!

What blew me away was the illustrations by Ekaterina Ilina. This is where the color has been hiding! Saturated in the brilliant and vibrant hues of Latin America are stories about the pink dolphins of the Amazon, pineapples, and a quinceañera, among other things. My personal favorite, which will surprise no one, is the story of the monarch butterfly.

Incorporating Different Subjects

You can see from the Scope and Sequence that Llamitas incorporates other subjects into their levels beyond Phonics, Literacy Comprehension, and Grammar. The math concepts include addition, subtraction, odd and even numbers, telling time, among others. Don’t be discouraged if your kiddo is proficient in these concepts because it’s not about teaching how to add and subtract, it’s about listening to math concepts in Spanish and learning the vocabulary that goes with it.

But perhaps the cross-curricular nature of Llamitas is best displayed in their choice of topics for social studies and science. My favorite science lesson is about the monarch migration into Mexico but I love, love, love the lessons on Pura Belpré and Julio Tello. These additional subjects do not replace a social studies and science curriculum, but very nicely supplement one. Level II (like Level I) includes a few picture studies and songs in Spanish to incorporate music and support the themes.

Supplemental Digital Resources

Can I just take a moment to say that the digital resources of Llamitas curates for each unit are remarkable. On days when we don’t have enough time to complete a full lesson, I can pull up any of the Spotify playlists to listen to on-the-go. The SoundCloud audio tracks are crystal clear, which is my biggest gripe about most Spanish curricula.

You can tell when the audio is not from a native or heritage speaker or when the sound quality is poor. This is not the case with Llamitas. The YouTube videos are thoughtfully chosen and I appreciate being able to have something that all my littles can watch to feel like they are participating too.

Overall, Llamitas Level II is a beautiful and delightful program that I think any parent can easily use to bring Spanish and Hispanic culture into their homeschool. If it sounds like a good fit for your family, you can learn more or purchase the level of your choice on the Llamitas Spanish website!

You may also be interested in...

• Book Review- Raising Bilingual Children: A Practical Guide
• 28 Bilingual English-Spanish Fairy Tales & Fables
• 5 Things To Consider When Choosing Bilingual Homeschooling
• Barton Reading and Spelling: Expensive, Boring, and Effective

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of level two for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ~Stacie

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Bio:

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!

K-2 Math AND Science Curriculum

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

Homeschool parents! If you've been looking for a curriculum that covers BOTH math and science, read on to learn more about SPORK. This K-2 program may be just what you're looking for!

As a homeschool mom, I'm always on the lookout for quality programs and resources that either save me time, or money, or both. So when I was given the opportunity to review SPORK Butterfly Math & Science K-2, a program that combines TWO subjects, I was quick to agree. Here's what I think about it...

Two Subjects in One

I am a HUGE fan of cross-curricular learning. In fact, I would bet that many homeschoolers are. It's one of the things that makes unit studies so popular. For me, it's because I love teaching my children how interconnected the world (and universe!) is. Seeing the relationship between objects and/or concepts is a powerful skill that I want my kids to develop and use as they grow up. Plus, I think it makes learning more fun!

What SPORK is Like

I wasn't sure what to expect from this program. But it turns out, I really do love it. Why? Because of several reasons:

First, the layout/dashboard is simple. There are 18 units with 8 to 12 lessons in each. Each lesson covers a new concept for math and one new concept for science. For example, lesson 15 covers tallying (math) and states of matter (science). I can go into the dashboard, pull up the lesson we're on and click on instructions. From there, it is a simple list layout with links to printables or digital resources for everything we cover.

The layout can be short or long. But each activity is clearly defined in its own highlighted box:

Second, the directions are minimal. This is an activity-based program and my son learns by doing. I don't have to lecture, but we have discussions and I might click a link to pull up a visual to explain a concept, such as states of matter:

The program recommends a schedule of five times a week for 85 minutes. This works out to be about 17 minutes a day. Given that some lessons are a little longer and others a little shorter, this is fair. I don't really pay any attention to the time frame because we just go at a stead pace and try to get one or two lessons done each day. But we probably do about 15 - 20 minutes a day. Days with "experiments" or hands-on activities can take a little longer, but we don't mind if it is something that really engages my son. 

A Variety of Learning Activities

Third (and the thing that I love the most), the lessons are consistent - but diverse! This sounds like an oxymoron, but we start off with a review of the previous lesson and/or previously learned concepts, then move on to learning something new, and then we always end with the Learning Path. 

So let me explain this a bit. We usually do one worksheet that just reviews the skills he has learned. The worksheets are not tedious. Seriously, there is like one question for each concept:

I cannot emphasize enough why I like these worksheets. They don't require my son to do the same type of problem or answer the same questions over and over again like a sheet of multiplication questions. As you can see from the picture above, the problems/directions are brief and require him to do something once (or at most three times as in the last question). These bite-sized problems prevent my son from hating the work because he answers one thing, then - BOOM! - he's answering/doing something different. 

You might think this just wouldn't work, but repetition is built into this program so that he does this everyday. That daily repetition carries over with some older concepts replaced as new ones are learned. This repetition builds my son's confidence and his enjoyment of both science and math. It really is brilliantly done. 

And the new concepts may require us to do a hands-on activity, study and discuss some visual aids, or something completely different, such as one fun activity for learning about tally marks that required my son to watch an animation of cows jumping over a moon and use tally marks to keep track of how many had jumped (I had the option to click on the image and make it full-screen)...

So my son isn't doing only lectures and then worksheets in every lesson. He knows that he will do at least one worksheet, but it's quick and "easy." 

The Learning Path

And at the end of each lesson, my son does his Learning Path. This is an online, game-like series of tasks that my son does. The Learning Path looks like this:

And it can be done with a touchscreen or a mouse/touchpad. Each number takes him to an activity that covers the concepts he has been learning. I know that he's developing those math and science skills, and he thinks he's getting "tech time" and playing games.

If you'd like to try before you buy, you can definitely request a demo from the company. I ALWAYS tell parents who are shopping around for a curriculum to download the samples or request a demo before they buy to see if it is a good fit for their family. Doesn't matter what the subject is, it only makes sense to try it first.

What's Included in the Curriculum

When you purchase this program (only $39!!), you'll get access to the online learning portal. You will have a dashboard, and your child will have a separate one so that they can access the Learning Path. 

I also received the manipulatives kit that provides all the items we need to do the activities. It has a LOT packed into the kit for the price ($45). I think ours had around 20 items and it included everything from a geoboard and rubber bands to base ten blocks to tangrams and a lot more. But if you have all the basic math manipulatives, you might not need to purchase this. It's definitely way cheaper than purchasing each of these manipulatives independently, though.

And lastly, I received three books: 

• The Teacher Resources Book ($35) that contains the non-worksheet printed resources that you may need while teaching, as well as the tests for the end of each unit (don't worry - they're simple!).
  


• The Butterfly Math & Science B ($45) - Student Workbook: Part 1 which contains all of the printable worksheets and activity sheets for units 1 - 9. 
  
  
• The Butterfly Math & Science B ($45) - Student Workbook: Part 2 which contains all of the printable worksheets and activity sheets for for units 10 - 18. 

These books are great if you don't have a printer or want to save on ink. But all of these materials are available for download through the learning portal, so I haven't even used them. For visual aids, I just show my son the screen and we discuss the topic. And if I need a worksheet or resource printed out, I just click the link, open the PDF, and print it. I feel like I save a lot of paper (and trees!) this way. But I also have an Epson EcoTank, so printing doesn't cost me a fortune in ink. If you have just a regular inkjet printer (or don't have a printer), then purchasing these books may be way more cost effective.

You can find all of these and the resources for grades K - 2 here in the SPORK shop.

If this program sounds like a good fit for your child, I encourage you to request your demo and purchase the program for your child's grade!

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Other Posts for Elementary Resources that You May Enjoy:

• Calico Spanish for Elementary Students
  
  
• Igniting Wonder for World Cultures with Picture Books
  
  
• Martín y Pepe: Beginning Readers in Spanish

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.

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!!

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.

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!

❤❤❤❤❤❤

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 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!

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:

• Newspaper
• Masking Tape
• Construction Paper
• Glitter
• Glue (Liquid or Stick)
• Scissors
• Paint and Brushes

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. 

Cinco de Mayo History for Kindergarten

Parents and teachers! Discover engaging ways to introduce Cinco de Mayo to kindergarteners and preschoolers with these resources.

Introducing Cinco de Mayo to Kindergarteners

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. The holiday highlights the Battle of Puebla and its historical significance for the United States. This is a bit heavy for kindergarteners, so instead, as parents and teachers, we must view it as an opportunity to learn about cultural diversity and history in a fun way. 

I start by explaining the significance of the holiday in simple terms, focusing on themes like courage, unity, and celebrating differences. Remember, the goal is not for them to memorize the events of the Battle of Puebla. Instead it is to introduce the holiday in an age-appropriate way so that later when they learn about the history behind it, they will recognize the holiday and think to themselves, "Hey! I remember Cinco de Mayo! I learned about that...[last year0]."

Children's Books about Cinco de Mayo

Children's books are my go-to for introducing a new topic. They are a wonderful way to peak interest in little learners. Reading colorful and engaging books about Cinco de Mayo can captivate young minds and spark their curiosity. Here are some titles that are appropriate for early elementary kids. 

• Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: with Fiestas, Music, and Dance by Carolyn Otto
  
  
• Cinco de Mayo (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme) by Emma Carlson Berne 
  
  
• Cinco De Mayo (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Mary Dodson Wade 

Try to avoid books with stereotypical themes on the cover (i.e., sombreros) and instead look for books that truly celebrate the holiday.

 

Printable Resources

But of course, nothing engages young minds like hands-on activities. Printable activities offer hands-on learning experiences that reinforce key concepts. From coloring pages featuring traditional Mexican symbols to word searches and puzzles, there are resources to make learning about Cinco de Mayo interactive and enjoyable.

My youngest loves crafts or coloring pages. So here are a few of the printables I have created with young learners in mind:

And here are a few other printable resources for different ages to supplement classroom lessons or family celebrations at home.

The Importance of Avoiding Stereotypes and Teaching Age-Appropriate History

I look around at all the Cinco de Mayo printables that are available on TpT and the internet and I really cringe at all the stereotypical imagery I see: sombreros, piñatas, maracas, cactus. Oy. They have nothing to do with the holiday.

In my opinion, it's crucial to approach the teaching of Cinco de Mayo with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding stereotypes and misconceptions. Emphasize the diverse and rich tapestry of Mexican culture, highlighting its contributions to art, music, cuisine, and more. Teach history in a way that honors the resilience and achievements of the Mexican people while acknowledging the complexities of their experiences.

Fostering Cultural Understanding

Cinco de Mayo is another opportunity for us as parents and educators to encourage open dialogue and curiosity about different cultures, fostering empathy and respect among kindergarteners. Use age-appropriate language to discuss historical events, emphasizing themes of courage, unity, and social justice. By teaching history through a lens of diversity and inclusion, you empower children to appreciate the beauty of cultural heritage and embrace differences.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

• Cinco de Mayo Printable Resources
  
  
• Why the United States Should Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
  
  
• Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook or Lapbook