Target Language: any
Suggested Grade Level: lower primary
Goal(s):
Reciting simple “Hi!” greeting in target language
Reciting and writing first name in target language
Naming primary colors in target language
Naming of classroom teacher (and aide) and Spanish teacher in target language, using titles (i.e. Señor, Señora, Señorita) and/or principal or other grade level teachers
Naming of favorite color
Learning target language word for “hand”
Manipulation of name placard in response to hearing prepositional phrases in target language
Learning Objective(s):
Selection of materials by naming preferred color in target language
Assembling and construction of identification placard
Coloring of favorite color and labeling in target language on handprint
Placing stickers with teachers’ names in target language on reverse side
Interaction with courtesy phrases when requesting desired colors.
Materials/Resources:
9x12” sheets of medium to heavy oaktag in primary colors cut into 6x6” squares
color word poster in target language with pictures of each color
prepositional phrase poster or pictures containing “up”/arriba and “down / abajo, using a commercial one or teacher-made one using clip art from the following URL:
large size craft “popsicle” craft sticks in assorted colors
5” (large-size) “handprint” cut-outs in assorted colors on construction paper. Use pattern or purchase pre-cut ones available from Shapes, Etc. at
or large-size handprints from Creative Teaching Press online at
sets of colored stickers produced on computer. See upper right hand corner.
permanent black marker(s)
glue sticks (purple kind is best as children don't overuse glue because they can see what they apply
white glue (1 bottle)
crayons or colored markers
labels with teachers’ names (Note that I use only the first initial of teachers’ last names. I include any instructional assistant regularly in the room as well; therefore, there are three available columns.) Use Avery #5160 labels which measure 1x2-5/8”.)
“Hello, my name is …” labels for front.
Use Avery #5163 which measure 2x4”. Laser labels work fine in inkjet machine. (Another option is to use cut up colored paper as in photo.)
Activity/reading & writing folders for each child for storage of materials between classes
Note: Teacher glues sticks to placards beforehand using white glue. Allow sufficient time to dry.
Procedure for Teaching:
Greet class with “Hi. ____!” greeting and go around class and asking for response from a few students. Do same with any classroom teachers or aides present.
Review all colors.
Target primary colors by showing placards with sticks.
Teach parts of placard in target language – large and small cards and stick.
Show “handprints” in different colors, naming colors and asking color questions.
Show sticks in different colors, naming colors and asking color questions.
Ask children individually to come up and choose placard, stick, and handprint, naming three different colors, saying “please” and “thank you.”
Children place selected materials in Spanish folder.
Teacher tells own favorite color and asks children their own.
Children color front and back of stick in favorite color
Teacher asks class to name teachers present using formal address (i.e. Señora Hutton, Señor Moraga, Señorita Román).
Teacher demonstrates how to glue handprint on front of placard and place teacher name stickers on back.
Note: Care needs to be taken to dispose of backing of stickers properly. If left on the floor, they are very slippery. Unfortunately, backing cannot be recycled.
Teacher circulates and directs child to print favorite color name on sticks while students assemble placard.
Teacher passes back finished placards at next class.
Teacher presents/reviews “up/down” using posters, pictures, and TPR
Students respond to commands containing up/down using their placards and concentrating on the main color
Assessment: Teacher asks children to point to names of particular teacher on placard; teacher asks children with particular colored card to respond to a particular TPR prepositional phrase. Teacher asks about favorite colors of students and elicits student and whole class interaction.
Optional Extension for High-Achievers: Children write complete names of other teachers in the school on the back and front of the name placard.
Another activity is to tell that teachers in Spain are not addressed as señora, señor, señorita. Instead, don and doña are used with their first names. See pictures of the faculty from a primary school in Spain, Virgen del Carmen at
Students can make a list of teachers and ask them what their first name is and precede it with Don or Doña.
School and Home Connection: Students will (1) recite their Spanish first name to their parents, (2) recite the names of teachers, (3) name favorite color, and/or (4) say arriba and abajo and move the placard accordingly.
SPECIAL THANKS TO Señora Pam Bailey of Goodwin School for coming up with this idea!
P.S. See my Art Projects page for classroom management suggestions to make this activity go smoothly.
