For second graders I have created "La familia Manzana" to teach family member names/relationships, sizes, colors, and formal titles. I have made a super-giant apple who is the father "Señor Manzana." The big apple mother is "Señora Manzana." The medium daughter is "Señorita Manzana." The small brother is "Señorito Manzana.” The mother is holding a teeny-tiny apple called “Bebé Manzana.” We dialogue about these creatures. I have a child hide behind my cart or hold the characters like a stick puppet and make the voice of the different family members. The baby just answers, “Waah!” We ask what their names are, who they are, what size they are, how they are feeling today, etc. All family members wear different colored sneakers to bring in color words, too. The children love it!
Then I show them a picture of an equivalent “real people” family called “La familia Fulana.” And we compare roles. Then we expand the concept of family to include all kinds of families, both large and small. I use the marvelous giant photos that Lakeshore sells to show single parent families, families with a special needs members, etc.
These multi-use photos make up beautiful bulletin boards as well. My fourth graders use them as an exercise to describe one of those families while working in pairs. I do not have children describe their own families. I have a few foster children and several families in the middle of divorce and do not wish to open any wounds.
I also love to use puppets. Puppets, I find, are great for a review to tie everything together once children have “mastered” the basic family vocabulary and related phrases. Third and fourth graders make up short pretend dialogues for the various family members. .
The baby puppet I use is
I have not been able to locate an Hispanic or African baby puppet. I would love to find these as well! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Another source for a baby puppet is by Follkmanis:
The bilingual books by Carmen Lomas Garza works well very with fifth grade. The Mexican American family members interact in various cultural activities and settings. The titles are Family Pictures and In my Family. Family Pictures have been available in big book format.
More information about these culture-rich books is available on the "Cuadros de Familia" page in "Anacleta."
MORE POSSIBILITIES:
"Family-themed" “call my bluff” vocabulary builder game:
Meet the cute cartoon-like "familia f" from Spain, including a pet dog named "ficias." Click on each cartoon figure to find out the relationship and a bit of his or her personality. The figures are quite unique and reflect the unique artistry that comes from Spain.
Lastly, there are also e-cards to send with the family members appearing for a variety of situations and holidays.
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