Ringraziamento

We have been helping to teach English in the girls' classrooms, designing simple lessons that emphasize vocabulary and pronunciation. For the students, it's a chance to hear native English speakers, as well as a change of pace from formal lesson plans. For us, it's a chance to support the school and get to know the kids. And for the girls, it's a fun way to use their English, and also a time when they feel like experts!

In the 5th grade classroom we've been building on their studies of affirmative and negative forms (e.g., can and can't). But this month we also had some fun with a camp song. Well, as you'll see in the video clip, we actually just stood back and let C take over! (Her rendition of this call-and-response "Moose Drinking Juice" song is now enthusiastically requested to close out each English lesson.)

In the 2nd grade classroom we did our best to recount the Thanksgiving (Ringraziamento) story this week, since it is unfamiliar to Italians. Fortunately, we had T to help teach the parts of the meal, lead a song, and demonstrate the making of a hand-traced turkey -- which was a huge hit!

Even if Thanksgiving will be an afterthought for our family this year, it's nice to be reminded of the many things for which we celebrate ringraziamento. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!