Whether you're on a tight budget or just wish to get started quickly, here is my list of three key materials that get your FLES program off on the right foot!
1. (EITHER/OR or ALL)
DIEZ DEDIDOS (PK-3) , FIESTAS (ALL) & DE COLORES (2-5) by JOSÉ LUIS OROZCO
These books are outstanding sources of traditional and new (mostly Mexican) songs appealing to children. The songs are muy pegajosas (very catchy) and easy to learn. Señor Orozco has a clear, friendly speaking and singing voice. There are songbooks with lyrics and music available to accompany each CD or tape. Even if you feel you can't sing well, playing the songs over and over for the children will give you more confidence to belt it out, too.
2. PUPPETS!
Puppets are an important vehicle for you and the children to manipulate and talk to each other in Spanish. I call my family members "La familia Fulano" (The So-and-So Family) -- All their first names begin with "F" also, and the children have lots of fun pronouncing their names and working with them in pairs or triplets. I worked with a toucan puppet named Anacleta (the namesake of my website) that the younger children responded very well to, so colorful animal puppets are also good. Pick out a characters / an animal that you really like and want to work with and the children will respond well, too. Selecting one as a class mascot is a great idea, too. I do not recommend selecting commercial characters. For more choices go to Puppets, Masks, and Toys.
3. IF YOUR BUDGET ALLOWS --- LEVEL ONE MUZZY DVD is excellent for all age groups. I show short ~2- minute clips to my second through fourth graders. I follow with role plays and other related hands-on activities to reinforce content presented. The series last over three grade levels. Grade two sees part one, grade three part two, and grade four part three. The children look forward to going to the movies once a week! The content reinforces what most elementary programs cover.
Now available with six languages in one DVD set -- English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Italian.
4. I would recommend that you purchase materials slowly and not spend all your budget in August/September. I find that the superior materials are those custom-made by teachers anyway.
For additional "essentials" I would recommend
-- large sized sulphite construction paper in a large variety of colors (doesn't fade and is very durable for constructing props) See Art Projects for specifics.
-- large-sized heavy card stock for making instructional signs and posters
-- posters (instructional and tourist-type)
-- homemade "bingo / lotería" games linked to class content (for fun) with little prizes, or you can have winners but names in a bag and then pick out a winner for a bigger prize
-- simple map of the region/country you will cover
-- realia from the country you will study (ask parents to contribute or loan you "souveniers.")
And if you are a traveling teacher ... a large cart with whiteboard:
