The Three Wise Men

On 5th January, we celebrate Twelfth Night, it is called in Spanish 'Noche de Reyes'-- Kings Night'. There is a parade, (Cabalgata) in every single village or town, three huge carriages are being riden down the streets and The Three Wise Men are on them, they are called 'Los Reyes Magos' in Spanish. We usually  get some sweets and toys from them. Some other carriages are driven with people wearing a lot of different customes on.
Before going to bed, kids and adults leave out their slippers or shoes next to the window to let the Three Wise Men know how many people live in the house. We leave the window open and we put some 'turrón' and 'mantecados' for the Kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar. We also leave some bread and water for the camels.  Although nowsdays, some people get presents from Father Christmas on Christmas Day, I guess they cannot wait for the Three Wise Men, it is a shame!! 

For that event, 6th January is bank holiday in Spain, children and adults too, have to enjoy and play with their toys from the Three Wise Men. And it is the end of our time off for Christmas. We are looking forward to the next Christmas!!!

Kamelle Relay Race Competition in Spain

Kamelle Competition at Lope de Vega Primary School in Spain has been too much fun for the kids once again. Six groups of three different years participated in this competition and the results were so different, but so close to each other. The age of the students was not a reason to get behind in the competition. I am going to writing down the best results.
You can see these results of the competition in November 2012 below. Thank you so much for the Physical Education Teacher who made students have such fun. And congratulations to the winners:

Team Gold: Costi, Lucía, Mireya, Davinia ----- Year 4, Group A  They did the competition in only 2 minutes and 44 seconds.

Team Silver:  Samuel, Raúl, Juan, Carolina, Nerea ----- Year 1, Group B  They did the competition in only 2 minutes and 51 seconds.

Team Bronce: Manolo, Violeta, Darío, Martín, Miguel Ángel, Luna ----- Year 2, Group A  They did the competition in only 3 minutes.

It is almost Christmas

On 24th December, we celebrate Christmas Eve, it is called in Spanish 'Noche Buena', ---'Good Night'. We have a special meal for dinner with our family. We eat stuffed chicken, stuffed steak or pork. We also eat seafood and shellfood when we live in the South. People living in the North usually eat elver. All the family prepare lots of food. After all that food, we still have room for 'turrón', marzipans or 'mantecados'.
The King of Spain is always on TV making a speech, he speaks about all the things which happened in the current year. We sing carols, the Spanish word for them is 'villancicos'.
After dinner we go to church and we sing and we participate in the Midnight Mass, it is called in Spanish, 'Misa del Gallo' --- ' Mass for the cock', we can have a Carols Concert but it is not always every year, at the end, we kiss the figure of the Newborn Baby, Jesus.
Some villages or towns have a living Nativity Scene (Belén Viviente) that Holly Night. Virgin Maria, Joshep and Baby Jesus, lots of shepherds and the Three Wise Men are over there.

On 25th December, we celebrate Christmas Day, it is called 'Navidad' in Spanish. We can go out for lunch or we may eat at home.

On 31st December, we celebrate New Year's Eve, it is called 'Noche vieja' in Spanish, 'Old Night', the oldest night of the year. We have dinner either with the family or with friends either at home oor in a restaurant, but it is a little bit expensive, believe me!
After dinner, we go to the Town Hall Square and we eat twelve pieces of grapes at twelve o'clock, one grape for each stroke of clock. We always beg that our wishes become true during the coming new year. After the grapes, we open a bottle of champagne, we scatter the liquid in the air, and we toast for the New Year, shhh, if you are not in a ball your clothes can get wet!! We sometimes have fireworks. Then, we go to the disco to celebrate the New Year have started.

On 1st January, we celebrate New Year Day. We may go out for lunch and then,we go to the pubs with friends.

It is a good time to share with family and friends, it is also a special time to remember what was good or bad in your life during the year, and also to wish and hope good things for the new year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for everyone!!!

More news later!!!

Christmas Time is Coming

On Sunday next to 30th November, St. Andrew's Day (Día de San Andrés), we celebrate The Advent Sunday. It is called in Spanish 'Domingo de Adviento'. We go to church and we start getting ready to wait for the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. (Nacimiento de Jesús, el Mesías).

For Christmas (En Navidad) we decorate the houses and we make a Nativity Scene 'Nacimiento', some people decorate a Christmas Tree, but it is an English or American custome. We put lights in the streets and we hear or sing Spanish carols at anywhere. We have poinsettias in the house, the streets and squares. We eat 'turrón', Christmas sweets similar to marzipan or nougat, they are made with almonds and honey, we also eat 'mantecados' and drink sweet drinks like anisette or licors (anís or licor) on Christmas.

Spelling Bee. 100 days of learning

The students in CEIP Lope de Vega started getting ready for the exciting Spelling Bee Contest, the Fourth Annual Spelling Bee. One more year boys and girls will have to study new words about different topics. First Cycle (six and seven year old children) and Second Cycle (eight and nine year old children) will have to be able to spell the different words. However, as they did last year in their first time, Third Cycle (ten and eleven year old students) will have to recognize and pronounce correctly the words that the teachers are spelling to them. I have to say that we had a very amazing and wonderful competition last year, children worked so hard and the results were great!!!

           CHILDREN JUST STARTED WORKING TOWARDS 100 DAYS OF LEARNING!!!

International Day for the Elimination of Violence

In Spain every year on November 25th, we celebrate the International Day for Elimination of Gender Violence. Women and also men, all around the world, are subject to domestic violence and other forms of violence. The purpose of this day is to bring awareness to this issue, so, our school and the whole village are making honor this day during all this week, children wrote stories, they created drawings and they read about real stories. The Town Hall also collaborated with the school, and today there is a huge sign hanging in the front of the big building. There is also a beautiful mosaic where you can read:  'NIÑOS Y NIÑAS CAMINANDO EN IGUALDAD' (BOYS AND GIRLS WALKING TOGETHER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES OR TERMS)

Children read a poem so Violence disappears from the planet for ever

Children sing a song to honor people who suffered violence some time.

Boys and girls walking together on equal opportunities and terms.

BONFIRE NIGHT on November 5th

                                                                                                                                 November 5th

          THE  W E E K L Y  N E W S

  HOLY SMOKE

       BONFIRES MARK FAILURE OF GUNPOWDER PLOT

EVERY YEAR, On November 5^th, firework displays across the United Kingdom celebrate the failure of the plot and the survival of King James I. Tradicionally, effigies of Guy Fawkes were burnt on the top of huge bonfires, and November 5^th is still known as “Bonfire Night”.

Drawings made by Year 6, Group C