Gabí está aquí: Un día loco de palabras mezcladas: A Crazy Mixed-up Spanglish Day (gabí Está Aquí #1: Un Día Loco De Palabras... (Get Ready For Gabi)
#1 in Get Ready For Gabi Series
What’s inside...
In California, Maritza Gabriela Morales Mercado, known as Gabí, navigates the challenges of third grade including dealing with a bully named Johnny Wiley, controlling her temper, and balancing her bilingual skills by speaking Spanish at home and English at school. Gabí's struggles intensify when she is forced to work on a month-long school project with her enemy, Johnny. Her frustration leads her to mix up English and Spanish, resulting in incomprehensible speech. The story captures Gabí's journey to overcome these obstacles and find her voice.
Discussion points
How do you think Gabí felt when she mixed English and Spanish words during her 'crazy mixed-up Spanglish day'?
Why is it important to embrace all parts of our cultural identity, just like Gabí does with her language?
What are some ways Gabí shows us how to find joy in everyday situations?
How do the different characters in the story react to Gabí's use of Spanglish? What does that teach us about communication and understanding?
If you could create a 'mixed-up' day based on your interests and culture, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and curious tone when asking these questions to foster an open and comfortable conversation.
Reference specific parts or events in the book as examples when discussing the questions to help ground the discussion and make connections.
Encourage your child to relate the themes of the book to their own experiences, which can deepen their understanding and personal connection to the story.
Celebrate your child's responses to highlight the importance of their thoughts and perspectives, enhancing their confidence and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Cultural Diversity
Explanation: Throughout the adventures of Gabí, the story intertwines English and Spanish, showing the beauty of being bilingual and bicultural.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and languages, fostering inclusiveness in their day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family and Community
Explanation: Gabí’s story highlights her interactions with family and friends, emphasizing support and community bonds.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of maintaining close relationships and being active members of their community.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Gabí often finds herself in quirky situations where she needs to use her wits and language skills to resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and creatively to solve problems they encounter in school or with peers.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Self-Expression
Explanation: Gabí expresses herself in both Spanish and English, showcasing her confidence in her identity and abilities.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be confident in their own unique talents and to express themselves authentically in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Joy of Learning
Explanation: The book’s playful use of mixed languages captures the fun in learning something new and can spark interest in bilingual language learning.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to see education as an enjoyable journey and to pursue learning new skills with enthusiasm.