Amigo Safari Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide
Amigo Safari Plan
Kindergarten Spanish • 40-Minute Push-In (Session A/B)
Standards: NYS WL 1.1, 1.2
Focus: Animal Cognates & Behavior
Essential Question
"How can we spot secret Spanish word friends in the wild?"
Learning Target
I can listen to a Spanish animal word and match it to its picture buddy!
Responsive Classroom
Greeting: Safari Wave ("¡Hola!").
Interactive Modeling: Explicitly show how to sit and track on carpet.
SEL Competencies
Self-Awareness: Expressing feelings via safari animal cards.
Relationship Skills: Echo-partners.
The School Way
SLANT: Track the guide.
CARES: Cooperation & Self-Control.
3 B's: Be Safe, Kind, Responsible.
00 - 10 Min
Arrival, Greetings & Safari Rules
Push-in Procedure: Enter softly pushing laptop cart. Project Slide 1 (Welcome). Signal arrival using a gentle animal call (Chirp-chirp) or soft chime. Transition kindergarteners to the carpet using the "Safari Steps" routine (creeping like quiet animals).
Interactive Modeling (Rules): Introduce the Safari SLANT:
S Sit up (Caimán)
L Listen (Elefante)
A Ask/Answer
N Nod head
T Track (León)
Teacher Script: "¡Hola, amigos! Today we are exploring the secret Spanish Jungle! To stay safe and brave like a lion (Be Safe, track guide), let's practice our Safari SLANT. When I hold up my binoculars, show me your lion eyes tracking me!"
10 - 20 Min
I Do: Spotting Cognates (Secret Friends)
Concept Explanation: Explain that some Spanish words are "secret friends" (cognates) that sound almost exactly like English words. They are friendly because they don't want us to struggle!
Interactive Presentation: Show Slide 4. Reveal el elefante. Pronounce slowly. Show the elephant ears with your hands.
Teacher Script: "Listen closely to my secret friend: e-le-fan-te. Put your hand to your ear. What English animal does that sound like? Yes, elephant! It is a cognate—a word friend! Let's say it in a giant elephant voice: ¡Elefante!"
Model Non-Cognate contrast: Show Slide 5 (dog vs. perro). "Is perro a secret friend of dog? No! They sound totally different! We love perros, but they aren't secret friends. Today we only hunt for cognates!"
SLANT & CARES Active Page 1 of 2
Instructional Flow
Guided & Independent Practice
Interactive Practice & Reflection Routines
Session: First Spanish Class
Focus: Audio-Visual Matching
20 - 35 Min
We Do: Safari Echo Partners
Interactive Game: Students look at slides of 3 core animals: león (lion), gorila (gorilla), and jirafa (giraffe).
Responsive Classroom Energizer: "The Safari Echo." The teacher shows a gesture for each animal:
- León: Paw claws + whisper "Grr" + say "¡León!"
- Gorila: Gentle chest-thumping + say "¡Gorila!"
- Jirafa: Stretch neck high with straight arms + say "¡Jirafa!"
Teacher Script: "Now, turn to your 'Safari Partner' on the carpet. When my slides flash an animal, whispered voice only (Self-Control & Cooperation)! Show your partner the animal gesture and say the secret word. Let's practice being a kind, encouraging partner (CARES: Empathy & Cooperation)."
Formative Assessment during Play: Circulate to see if students are matching correctly. Give direct verbal praise pointing to visual rules: "I see Leo sitting up like a caimán and tracking the guide. Thank you for showing Respect!"
35 - 40 Min
You Do: Spotlight Exit Ticket
Non-Reader Exit Ticket: Hand out the "Critter Match" paper exit sheet. The paper contains a line drawing of un elefante and una jirafa. The teacher will call out the Spanish name, and students color or circle the matching picture.
Teacher Script: "My safari explorers, point your magic pencil to the top line. Listen to my secret word: Elefante. Circle the friend who is elefante. Remember, use your self-control so your neighbors can hear the secret word (CARES: Self-Control)!"
Clean-up & Dismissal Routine: Sing a 10-second packing song ("¡Adiós, amigos!"). Model slide-and-glide stacking of papers in the collection bucket. Students stand up, show the "3 B's" posture, and prepare for their homeroom transition.
Quick Translation & Gestures Cue Card
león (lay-OHN)
Lion / Claws
elefante (eh-lay-FAHN-tay)
Elephant / Trunk
gorila (go-REE-lah)
Gorilla / Chest
jirafa (hee-RAH-fah)
Giraffe / High Neck
Ready for Day 1 Success Page 2 of 2
Amigo Safari Slides
¡HOLA, AMIGOS!
First Spanish Lesson
Amigo Safari
Let's find secret animal word friends in Spanish!
Essential Question: "How can we spot secret Spanish word friends in the wild?"
Day 1
Our Safari Rules
Track the Guide
Keep eyes on the teacher. Use your Safari eyes!
Safari Ears
Listen carefully for the secret codes and sounds.
Be Kind & Safe
Help your safari neighbors. Care for everyone.
Show Safari SLANT & CARES! 🦁
Secret Word Friends!
What is a Secret Friend?
Some words in Spanish sound almost exactly like they do in English!
They make learning Spanish so easy! Let's find them together.
🇬🇧 🇪🇸
English & Spanish Buddies They sound like twin siblings!
Touch your ear when you hear a Secret Friend word! 👂
Secret Friend #1
🐘 Big Ears & Long Trunk!
In Spanish:
el elefante
Say it in a giant elephant voice:
"eh-leh-FAHN-teh"
*Action:* Wave your arm like a trunk when saying "elefante"!
Does "elefante" sound like elephant? YES! It is a secret friend! 🤝
Wait! Not a Secret Friend?
🐶
Dog vs. Perro
Do they sound like secret friends? No way!
Not a Secret Friend
🐘
Elephant vs. Elefante
Do they sound like secret friends? Yes!
Perfect Secret Friend!
Only make your elephant trunks for real secret friends! 🦁
Secret Friend #2
🦁 Fierce Mane & Mighty Roar!
In Spanish:
el león
Say it in a proud king lion roar:
"leh-OHN"
*Action:* Put your claws up and say "¡león!" in a friendly roar.
Track the screen! Lions always track their targets with focus. 🦁
Secret Friend #3
🦍 Strong Arms & Friendly Face!
In Spanish:
el gorila
Say it thump-thumping your chest gently:
"go-REE-lah"
*Action:* Pat your chest gently and say "¡gorila!"
Are you sitting up tall and tracking? Excellent work! 👍
Secret Friend #4
🦒 Super Tall Neck!
Safari Routines Poster
Normas de la Clase • Spanish Class Rules
Safari Rules!
How to be a safe, brave, and responsible explorer
🦁 SAFARI S.L.A.N.T.
Show these actions to follow along
S 🐊
Caimán Sentado
Sit up straight, calm body
L 🐘
Orejas de Elefante
Listen and catch every sound
A 🗣️
Preguntar y Responder
Speak in Spanish when ready
N 🧑🦱
Asentir con Cabeza
Nod to show you understand
T 🦁
Ojos de León
Track and look at the speaker
🛡️ 3 B's & CARES
Our school expectations in Spanish
🧭 Be Safe
Sé Seguro
Keep hands, feet, and materials to yourself.
🤝 Be Respectful
Sé Respetuoso
Share with partners, use kind quiet words.
🎒 Be Responsible
Sé Responsable
Follow routines and take care of your work.
Safe Explorers Welcome! ¡Sí se puede!
