Aquí/Here
WAYS WE CAN USE THE WORD(S)
DIRECT ACTION: e.g., Ven aquí (Come here).
GAIN ATTENTION: e.g., Mira aquí (Look here).
SHARE INFORMATION: e.g., Estoy aquí (I’m here).
NEGATE: e.g., Aquí no (Not here).
This core word activity sheet was created by Angela Rowell. It was adapted from the School Year of Core Words worksheet for "here" by Beth Lytle and Alisa Lego.
Snack/mealtimes: During mealtime or snack time, the adult can prompt the student to identify the names and locations of different items on their plate, e.g., ¿Dónde está la zanahoria? Está aquí. (Where is the carrot? It’s here).
Circle: Child can be prompted to invite a friend to sit next to them by saying “Ven aquí” (Come here).
Activity Centers: The adult can inform students of their places at activity centers by saying “[Name of student], te sientas aquí” ([Name of student], you sit here).
Attendance: The adult can bring photos of each student to class, and one by one hold of the photo of each student, asking the class “¿[Name of student] está aquí?” (Is [name of student] here?)
Recess: While playing hide-and-seek at recess, the adult can say “¿Dónde estás? ¿Estás aquí?” (Where are you? Are you here?) while searching. Once found, the student can be prompted to say “¡Aquí estoy!” (Here I am!)
Toys and Games: The adult can select various pictures which contain hidden images. The students can search the pictures for hidden images (when given verbal, visual, or written prompts), and when the hidden images are found, the students can be prompted to make statements such as “Aquí está el gato” (Here’s the cat).
Examples:
Here are some suggested books on YouTube that can assist in teaching the core word:
- Estoy aquí: By Vanesa Díez and Beatriz Marín | Children's Book Read Aloud by Cuentos en la nube
- The entertaining tale of what happens when an elephant appears in the middle of a city and how the city’s residents respond.
- Aquí estamos: By Oliver Jeffers| Children's Book Read Aloud by Cuentos Cucos Show
- A book which offers children information about the world, animals, and our bodies. The explanations are clear and simple and there is an emphasis on being kind.
- ¡Fuera de aquí, horrible monstruo verde!: By Ed Emberly | Children's Book Read Aloud by Beatriz Montero
- A story about a terrifying green monster. The story teaches children how to scare away their fears and monsters.
- ¡El otoño ya está aquí!: By Albert Asensio| Children's Book Read Aloud by CuentaCuentosCuenta
- Teaches children how the natural world changes with the arrival of autumn.
- ¡La primavera está aquí!: By Pinkfong
- Teaches children how the natural world changes with the arrival of spring.
When a student enters the classroom in the morning, the adult can say, “[Name of student] está aquí. Hola [name of student]” ([Name of student] is here. Hello [name of student]).
Here is a sample communication layout for a high-tech communication system which provides access to a diverse variety of words, including the core word aquí.
During motor activities, students can touch objects that are ‘here’ and point to object that are ‘there,’ e.g., “La pelota está aquí. El árbol está ahí.” (The ball is here. The tree is there).
The adult can prepare a bag or sensory bin with various items inside. The student will be prompted to close their eyes, and one by one, the adult will put items into the student’s hand. With each item, the student will be asked “¿Qué tenemos aquí?” (What do we have here?) Students will describe the qualities and textures of the mystery items and try to guess what the items are.
Treasure Hunt Activity: The adult can prepare a scavenger hunt leading to a “treasure box” (e.g., toys or other special prizes). When the treasure is found, the adult can prompt students to declare “Aquí está el tesoro” (The treasure is here).
Literacy-Building Activity: The adult can prompt students to create a poem or short story containing the word aquí.
- Aquí vivo yo | Children’s Song | By PlayKids Español
- Aquí vamos Luby Lu | Children’s Song | By Super Simple Español - Canciones Infantiles Y Más
- Aquí esta la colmena| Children’s Song | By Super Simple Español - Canciones Infantiles Y Más
- Aquí está la Q| Children’s Song | By Mundo Canticuentos
Art Activity: The students can be prompted to draw maps depicting their neighborhoods. In the center of the map, they can draw their home which they will label “Aquí vivo yo” (I live here).
Art Activity: The adult can create an “All About Me” picture frame for children to fill out. In the center of the page is a circle which says “Aquí estoy yo”; in this circle, the student draws a picture of themselves. Surrounding the circle in the center, the student can write words that describe themselves.
Tarheel Reader: Students can use Tarheel Reader to write books about what it means to be aquí (here) versus ahí (there). These books can then be shared with other students and read aloud.
WORD WALL: Create a Word Wall and add aquí to the list.
READING and the Word Wall: Sound out the letters together. Have the students find the word on the AAC system.
WRITING and the Word Wall: Using a pencil or alternative pencil, have students try to type the word on the keyboard, adapted keyboard or write the word together.