Make Mini-Hanukkah Coloring Books in English, French, and Spanish
In our newest Foreign Language House downloads, kids will count and color their way through a child’s Hanukkah celebration. Introduce your children or students to menorahs, dreidels, and special holiday foods with this simple Hanukkah story. Just print the half-pages, color, and staple. You’ll create your own 8- or 18-page story book. (The longer version is appropriate for elementary-aged children, while the shorter version can be used in pre-k and kindergarten.) The Spanish and French translations also include flash cards and vocabulary lists.
For many years as a classroom teacher, I was at a loss for resources to teach about Hanukkah, especially in French and Spanish. So my co-author, Catherine, and I created our own. Heartland Graphics provided us with the cutest, most kid-friendly Hanukkah images ever. We know you’re going to love these!
Hanukkah Coloring Book for Young Children
Hanoukah: Un Livre de Coloriage (French)
Hanoukah: Un Livre de Coloriage pour les Petits (French)
Janucá–un libro para colorear (Spanish)
Happy Hanukkah 
Photo Credit: crisderaud at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/875672
Free St. Nicholas Coloring Pages
St. Nicholas Day is December 6. Teach your children about the real historical figure who inspired Santa Claus with some fun coloring activities. Here is your guide to free online coloring pages of this beloved saint:
From http://stnicholascenter.com
From the French site http://fete-enfants.com
9 very cute, kid-friendly Saint Nicolas coloring pages
From the French site http://www.tomlitoo.com
Coloring sheets/crafts and printable legends in French
From the French site http://teteamodeler.com
Tons of St. Nicolas crafts, song sheets, recipes, and coloring pages in French
From http://kids-n-fun.com
Over 50 cute coloring pages of Sint Nicolaas in Holland
These next two are not free, but close to it. And they’re not coloring pages, but they are great resources for celebrating St. Nicholas Day. From http://stores.lulu.com/foreignlanguagehouse:
St. Nicholas Day Paper Shoe Template
St. Nicholas Day Story and Culture Unit for French Learners
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
Photo Credit: by woodsy at
O Tannenbaum - O Christmas Tree
It just isn’t Christmas without a little German. I studied German a wee bit when I was in high school, and I spent several weeks traveling there as a teenager. I hold a special place in my heart for the people, language, customs, and food. Gingerbread house anyone?
I needed a little work break, and nothing does the trick like O Tannenbaum. Be sure to check out Nat King Cole’s version. The best!
German Lyrics:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Learn Spanish and French Christmas Vocabulary: Tic Tac Toe Games
It’s December! The tree is trimmed, the lights are up, and my kids opened the first door on their chocolate advent calendars. Why, there’s even a winter wonderland of snow outside my window. Now it’s time to learn some Christmas vocabulary in Spanish and French. You can practice your new words by playing fun and festive games of Christmas Tic Tac Toe, the newest downloads from Foreign Language House. Choose from:
Spanish/ESL Christmas Tic Tac Toe Game
French Christmas Tic Tac Toe Game
On to the holiday lesson:
Christmas Tree - el árbol de la Navidad (Spanish), l’arbre de Noël (French)
Santa Claus - Papá Noel (Spanish), Père Noël (French)
Sleigh - el trineo (Spanish), le traîneau (French)
Present - el regalo (Spanish), le cadeau (French)
Reindeer - el reno (Spanish), le renne (French)
Bells - los cascabeles (Spanish), les cloches (French)
Merry Christmas - Feliz Navidad (Spanish), Joyeux Noël (French)
Photo Credit: by ugurv at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1107979
Make Paper Shoes for St. Nicholas Day: Easy Craft Download
Are you ready for St. Nicholas Day? In many European countries, December 6 is a day to celebrate one of our most beloved saints–Nicholas of Myra, a fourth century bishop from present-day Turkey. Nicholas is renowned for his generosity, good deeds, and miracles.
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children leave their shoes out next to their bed or near the fireplace. When kids wake on December 6, they find the shoes filled with treats such as chocolates, clementines, gingerbread, or small gifts.
I love exposing my kids and students to Christmas customs from around the world. We’ve developed our own St. Nicholas Day customs in our family. The kids leave their shoes by the fireplace, along with their Christmas lists. Since Santa did evolve from the historical St. Nick, I just explain that this is Santa’s grandpa, and he’ll be sure to deliver their letters safe and sound. In the morning, they usually find an ornament to put on the tree and a chocolate Santa.
In the past, I’ve had my students leave their shoes out overnight at school to receive treats. But sometimes that can cause a problem–forgotten shoes or smelly gym sneakers. Now, I have my students make and decorate a paper shoe craft. Small candies fit inside, making it easy to carry home as a St. Nicholas souvenir.
In my French St. Nicholas Day download, I include a cute paper shoe craft that I use with my middle and high school students. But as I was planning for a visit to my son’s kindergarten class this week, I realized that it might be a little tricky for a large group of 6 year olds. I came up with a printable template that involves nothing more than folding on lines, a few quick clips of the scissors, and some tape. Take a look at the finished product by clicking here: Paper Shoe Craft for Saint Nicholas
To download your St. Nicholas Day paper shoe template for less than a dollar, follow this link:
St. Nicholas Day Craft: Paper Shoe Template
Happy St. Nicholas Day from Foreign Language House
Photo Credit: by RAWKUS at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1100468
French St. Nicholas Day Lessons, Stories, Activities, and Songs
Foreign Language House is pleased to announce its first December holiday download:
Saint Nicolas Day: Activities, Stories, and Songs for a French Holiday Tradition
December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day, a celebration that children in France, Belgium, and other parts of Europe look forward to at the beginning of the Christmas season. I explain to my own young children that St. Nicholas (a real person) was a kind bishop and that he’s Santa’s grandfather. The night before the holiday, children leave their shoes out by the fireplace. On the morning of the 6th they wake to find treats in them.
The 23-page St. Nicholas download is a must for any French teacher. You get:
1. Introduction to Saint Nicolas Day
2. Culture Readings with CLOZE and Comprehension Questions
Kids’ Version 1 (Rated G)
Teenage Version 2 (Rated PG-13)
3. Saint Nicolas Day Gouin Series
4. “Pénélope, Pierre et Saint Nicolas”: A story about getting ready for St. Nicolas Day
Vocabulary
CLOZE
Comprehension Questions
Mini-Book Illustration
5. Saint Nicolas Songs and Chants
6. Craft: Make a paper shoe for Saint Nicolas to fill with treats. Perfect for the classroom!
7. Guide to Online Resources
The Saint Nicolas unit is available as an instant download for just $5. It’s packed with stories, activities, and ideas for learning language and culture hand in hand.
Check back for new holiday downloads in French and Spanish arriving soon.
Games and Toys in Spanish: Juegos y Juguetes en Espanol
It’s official. The holiday shopping season has arrived. I set my alarm for 3:45 a.m. and headed out for a few hours of power shopping this morning. I never used to be one of those crazed Black Friday shoppers, but a few years ago I got hooked on the spirit and festivity of retail in the wee hours. There’s definitely excitement in the air!
Now that I kicked off my holiday shopping in grand fashion, I’ll finish up online in the comfort of my own home. I’d like to share my shopping guide of popular games and toys that are available for purchase in Spanish. My entire approach and philosophy to language learning centers around PLAY. Help your child learn another language while enjoying some fun and games this year.
Board Games
Playing interactive games is an outstanding way to practice language. Teachers like myself are always looking to classic board games as inspiration for classroom learning activities. Here are a few popular games available in Spanish:
Guess Who? Game (Spanish Version)
The Game of Life Spanish Edition
Milton Bradley Spanish Monopoly Board Game
Cranium Cadoo (Spanish Language Edition)
Mattel Scene It? Original - Spanish
Scene It? DVD Game Disney Edition- Spanish
LeapFrog Toys and Games
I absolutely love LeapFrog. Ever since my oldest learned his phonics effortlessly by watching Leap Frog - Letter Factory
LeapFrog Patitas abc (Alphabet Pal Caterpillar) Spanish
LeapFrog Patitas 123 (Baby Counting Pal) Spanish
LeapFrog Pesca Letras (Leap’s Phonics Pond Learning System) Spanish
LeapFrog Radio Letras (Phonics Radio) Spanish
Leap Frog LFC82105 Mis Letras Interactivas (Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set)
LeapFrog Mis Animalitos Interactivos (Fridge Farm) Bilingual
LeapFrog LeapPad® Sistema de Aprendizaje (LeapPad Learning System)
LeapFrog Bus Escolar ABC (Learning Friends Phonics Bus) Spanish
LeapFrog Baby Croki (Hug & Learn® Baby Tad) Spanish
LeapFrog Autoescuela (See & Learn Driver) Bilingual
Spanish Learning Drum- ABC Toca El Tambor
LeapFrog La Bola Exploradora (Discovery Ball) Spanish
Fisher Price, Chicco and Other Toys
Quality toys such as Fisher Price and Chicco are easier than ever to find in Spanish. Just imagine the learning potential of surrounding your kids with bilingual toys. Those little language-ready brains will be soaking in new words like sponges!
Fisher-Price Computer Learning System - Spanish Version
Fisher-Price Learning Phone - Spanish Version
Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Lawn Mower (Spanish)
Chicco Bi-Lingual Smart Driver (English/Spanish)
Chicco Bi-Lingual English/Spanish Talking Cube
Learning Journey Notebook Wizard- Bilingual
Spanish-Speaking Dolls
How about a bilingual friend for your little girl or boy? These dolls talk and/or sing in Spanish.
Talking CHOU CHOU Function Doll (English and Spanish)
Amazing Amanda Doll - Spanish Speaking
Spanish-Speaking Elmo
Me gusta Elmo :-)
T.M.X Tickle Me Elmo 10 Year Anniversary - Spanish Version
Happy Spanish Shopping!
Send Free Thanksgiving eCards in French and Spanish
A hot cup of coffee, a warm blueberry muffin, and Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day parade are waiting for me, so I’ll make this quick.
It’s not too late to wish someone special a Happy Thanksgiving. Why not send a free greeting in French or Spanish? 123 Greetings is the place to go! Check out:
Free Thanksgiving eCards in Spanish
Free Thanksgiving eCards in French (They’re actually for Canada’s Thanksgiving, but that’s okay!)
Have a wonderful holiday
Say Thank You in Many Languages This Thanksgiving
When I think of Thanksgiving, my mind goes to turkey and pumpkin pie, parades and football. Of course, the real reason is to give thanks to God for all that He has given us. On this special holiday, I’d like to say Thank You in as many ways and as many languages as I can. I’m sure to leave out many languages, so please comment with additional ones and continue the list of thanks!
Dankie (Afrikaans)
Shukran (Arabic)
Dekuji (Czech)
Tak (Danish)
Dank u wel (Dutch)
Dankon (Esperanto)
Kiitos (Finnish)
Merci (French)
Danke (German)
Mahalo (Hawaiian)
Toda (Hebrew)
Shukriya (Hindi)
Takk (Icelandic)
Grazie (Italian)
Arigato (Japanese)
Grazzi (Maltese)
Xie xie (Mandarin Chinese)
Dziekuje (Polish)
Multumesc (Romanian)
Spasibo (Russian)
Gracias (Spanish)
Ahsante (Swahili)
Tack (Swedish)
Photo Credit: by cidinha28 at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/772189
Answers to Name That Language: Madagascar Escape 2 Africa
I hope you’ve enjoyed playing our little linguistic guessing game. So, what languages did you hear on the Madagascar Escape 2 Africa trailers? Take a look at the answers to see how you did:
1. German
2. Spanish
3. French
4. Russian
5. Italian
6. Danish
7. Hungarian
8. Finnish
9. Czech
Thanks for playing Name That Language