Learning+Activities

__** Learning Activities for in the classroom: **__

Merengue: -The merengue consists of three basic movements: side, foreword, and back. The merengue is a fun an energetic dance that can be taught in the classroom. The link below, will lead you to steps on how to teach your students the merengue. I would suggest showing the video in class and as a visual example.

[|Learning the Megengue! Steps and Directions! Have fun!]

Marketplace: -Previous to doing this activity, send home a not to parents asking to send 1 beach towel and 3 play toys/ books that their child does not want back. As the teacher, bring 1 beach towel and 3 items as well. (Make sure to have extra towels and items available to students who forget.... Dollar store items are encouraged.) -Move desks so that they are in the shape of a square. -Have students place their beach towel over their desk, so that it looks like a booth. -Divide the class into two groups. One half of the class will begin as shoppers and the other half of the class will begin as shopkeepers. -Level 1: window shop. (Not bartering) -Switch roles -Level 2: have each student barter their items with the shop keeper. Play, "let's make a deal." Inform students that they may ask for more or they may say "no thank you." Students may trade more than once. -Switch roles and repeat level 2. -Switch back. Allow students to trade one more time.



Brochure: -Have students create a brochure on tropical vacation spots found within the Dominican Republic. One the brochure, students should include: - Below are a couple of links that will help students to jump start their research!
 * Location of the resort
 * Resort contact information
 * Pictures
 * Activities for kids and families
 * Reasoning behind why people should make this location their next vacation spot
 * []
 * Why visit the Dominican Republic?
 * []
 * Different locations and resorts within the Dominican Republic
 * []
 * Types of activities kids can do while they are there!

__Learning Activities for at home:__

Salt-Dough: Materials: (Makes two 8X10 maps) -Can be made the night before, if stored in an airtight container. -Trace the template with a pencil, then marker. Spread the dough into the outline of the Dominican Republic. Using the pushpins, mark different landmarks of the Dominican Republic, such as the capitol or beaches. On the blank spaces of the cardboard, create an index/ map key that codes each color with it's landmark. Allow dough to harden overnight. To add more features, use paint.
 * 3 cups of white flour (regular, not self-rising)
 * 1 1/4 cups of warm water
 * 1 cup of salt
 * Boxed cardboard cut to the approximate size of the map
 * One template
 * Permanent marker
 * Multi-colored push-pins

Baseball Pennant: Materials: -Find the mid point on one 12" side of the tag board. Use a pencil to mark the spot. It should be 6" from the top. Measure with a straight edge from the midpoint to each corner of the opposite 12" side. Draw a line to each corner using the straight edge. Cut along the lines to form a pennant shape. -Measure and a cut a strip of contrasting color tag board 11/8" by 12". Glue the strip to the 12" side of the pennant. Trim to fit. -Position the Baseball rub on. Use the craft stick to transfer the word to the pennant. Position smaller baseball decorations on the contrasting tag board along the side. -Add a name with more rub ons or stencils. -Use the pattern or a shape or circle cutter to cut three 2 3/4" circle from the white construction paper. Use the red marker to draw stitch lines on each circle to create a baseball. Glue the three baseballs on the pennant. But two of them so they look like they are overlapping the edge of the pennant.
 * 12X18 inch tag-board
 * baseball rub ons
 * alphabet rub ons
 * construction paper
 * circle pattern- 2 3/4 inch diameter
 * glue stick
 * scissors
 * markers

**All activities can be accommodated based upon age level and learning environment. These are just guidelines and examples.

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Created April 1, 2010; Revised April 2, 2010 Created by Kelsey Brogan; Contact my at kabroga@ilstu.edu Copyright 2010