Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo!!!!

We have been discovering many new things about each country we are studying this year.  There are many holiday celebrations celebrated around this time of year.

In Mexico we learned about "Las Posadas."  Posada means a place to stay.  In Mexico people go from house to house asking if there is any room for them.  They are not let in until the 4th house, where the party begins.  They do this each night for the 9 nights before Christmas.  We  also talked about the legend of la flor de nochebuena (Pointsettia).

In Puerto Rico, we were able to learn about the Parranda!  See the post below for a better explination and video of what a Parranda is!  Basically, it is Caroling, but people pick up the people from each house and then everyone goes to the next house!

In España, we celebrated the new year (El año nuevo).  All Spainards watch the Clocktower in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid.  When the clocktower hits midnight, they try to eat one grape with each ring of the clocktower.  Each of the grapes represent a month of prosperity in the new year! Check out the FLES YouTube Channel for a video explaning this tradition!

La Parranda Perfecta

Second Graders are learning about Puerto Rico this year.  As the holiday season is fast approaching, we are learning about an awesome tradition in Puerto Rico called a Parranda.  Here are some facts...

• Similar to Christmas Caroling
• Happens late at night
• A heads up is given to all the participants before the parranda is started
• Participants start at the first house and "wake them up" with the sound of instruments and singing.
• Then everyone, including the people at the first house go and do the same thing to the next house.  This continues until everyone ends up at the last house.
• At each stop along the way there is a small party
• When the final house is reached, a feast is prepared and everyone partakes! 

Here is a video of the CRCSD Spanish teachers having their own Parranda!  Enjoy!