How are we? 'Somos' and 'estamos'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say where we are and how we are today using 'estamos', and what we are like generally using 'somos'.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- To read and say words accurately, it is important to practise the vowel sounds: [a], [e], [i], [o], [u].
- There are two verbs to say ‘to be, being’ in Spanish: estar and ser.
- To mean 'we are' with 'estar', we use 'estamos'. This means 'we are' for location and temporary states.
- To mean 'we are' with 'ser', we use 'somos'. This means 'we are' for general traits.
- When describing more than one, the adjective ends in -os with masculine nouns and -as with feminine nouns.
Keywords
Estamos - 'we are' for location and temporary states, part of the verb 'estar'
Somos - 'we are' for general traits, part of the verb 'ser'
Adjective - word that gives information about a noun
Common misconception
There is only one to say 'we are' in Spanish as in English.
There are two verbs meaning 'to be, being' in Spanish. To say 'we are' for location and temporary state, we use estamos from the verb estar and to say 'we are' for general traits, we use somos from the verb ser.
Teacher tip
To consolidate the uses of 'ser' and 'estar', you could practise using pair work and whiteboards. Give pupils simple sentences like '_____ en casa', 'siempre _____ positivos' etc. and pupils can write 'somos' or 'estamos' for a quick assessment.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish to the English.
to search, searching
to be, being (temporary states)
to listen, listening
to speak, speaking
to have, having
to be, being (permanent traits)
Q2.Normalmente, yo __________ activa.
Q3.Match the Spanish to the English.
friend (female)
elephant
pencil case
bear
idea
house
Q4.Order this sentence to say 'normally we are active but today we are tired'.
Q5.'El elefante está perdido.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.'Your friend is too silly.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which words could be used to describe 'la tortuga'?
Q2.Hoy, su amigo __________ muy serio.
Q3.Match the Spanish to the English.
creative
active
positive
nervous
ready
slow
Q4.Order these words to say 'the bear is always nervous and negative.'
Q5.'Somos bastante independientes.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.'My favourite spider is yellow.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
To help you plan your 5 Spanish lesson on: How are we? 'Somos' and 'estamos', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 Spanish lesson on: How are we? 'Somos' and 'estamos', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 Spanish lessons from the Me and others: singular 'estar' (for states) and 'ser' (for traits) unit, dive into the full primary Spanish curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.