Ieri era il capodanno cinese e questo è l’anno del maiale. Gli animali dei oroscopo cinese in inglese sono: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.  Which animal are you?  I’m a pig and my daughter is a dragon. (Lucky her!) ​

In questo video si vede come si celebra attraverso gli occhi di una bambina.  Io ho dei bei ricordi delle sfilate con il leone e il dragone a Chinatown nella mia città di Londra.  Happy new year!

It's a good idea to have English present at home (or in the car!) so it becomes a language that kids simply get used to hearing and not just confined to the classroom or playgroup. It really doesn't matter if they don't understand everything, it's important that they enjoy listening and they'll slowly pick up the words and sayings. I personally prefer using listening skills rather than the visual screens. But putting their favorite cartoon/film on in English is useful too.

As we all eagerly wait for snow in Rome, let's learn how to say all of the different types of weather... and cross our  fingers for lots of snowball fights!

Sarebbe bello andare al teatro con i vostri figli vero?  E vedere uno spettacolo bilingue?  Super! Il Palazzo dei Bambini è lieto di invitarvi al Cinema Palazzo per una nuova avventura! Cosa succede se l’insegnante di linguaggio alla scuola dei maghi, Miss Words, all’improvviso comincia a non ricordarsi più le parole e a perdere piano piano l’uso della lingua?
Adatto dai quattro ai dieci anni.
Domenica 13 gennaio ore 17,  
Nuovo Cinema Palazzo
San Lorenzo, Piazza dei Sanniti 9 a, 00185 Rome

​See you there!

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/270174063679764/

I can't wait to teach and learn lots of new things with all of my students in this lovely new year to come!  
I bet you've all had lots to eat during these holidays, so here is a video to revise some cooking and food vocabulary.  

Here is a good one to warm up on these frosty winter mornings.  Remember to do all of the actions and move those fingers, thumbs, arms, legs and heads.  Gets very energetic at the end! 

Red and yellow and pink and green 
​purple and orange and and blue
I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too
Listen with your eyes, listen with you eyes and sing everything you see
You can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow sing along with me

It is very traditional in UK schools to have assembly in the morning, when all school children get together in a big hall, sing, listen to stories and are given any important communications.  I remember assembly time as great fun and we would often sing along to the Beatles with Mr. O'Conner the music teacher at the piano!  Here is a lovely assembly morning song to learn and to stretch to!  

Domenica 28 ottobre alle ore 11 – SCAVANGER HUNT a cura di Hortus Urbis c/o l’ex Cartiera Latina, via Appia Antica, 42 o 50, Roma.
​
Partecipa ad un tradizionale Scavanger hunt all’aperto, guarda in su e in giù e trova più cose che puoi! Ogni partecipante riceverà una lista di cose da trovare o disegnare o contare … Una sorpresa stagionale dell’orto attende tutti gli Scavangers!

• Età: 3-11
• Durata: circa 50 min
• tutto in inglese!

For more information:  http://www.hortusurbis.it/home/

It's difficult not to sing this song with a big big smile!  And we are learning some musical instruments too.  Be warned, it's a very catchy tune!

Here is a song that I have worked on with the 6 and 7 years olds. It's great for learning full sentences and great fun, especially when a real chocolate cookie is used!  Excuse the "childish video" but I like this version of  the song, it's kinda funky!  

Such a fun song with lots of action words and body parts to sing along to: thumbs up, knees together, shoulders back, bottoms out, tongues out, eyes closed.... and chicky chacky chicky chacky chichacha!