Magosto

Chestnuts Roasting over and open fire .....................During the month of November in Galicia, the people celebrate a tradition called Magosto.  This past Friday, my school held their annual Magosto celebration.  To read a tid bit on Mogosto CLICK HERE

To start the day off, all the students received colored bracelets that put them into different color groups for the morning activities.  These are the 3 year old students showing off their "Pulseras" (Bracelets).  

Next all of the students from all ages formed their color groups outside.  Fortunately we had spectacular weather for our Magosto celebration! Behind the groups you can see the Infantil school.  This is where students ages 3-5 attend school.  Once in groups, the students attended different stations set up throughout the playground.  All of the activities were related to Magosto.  

One of the activities was using a ball of paper, a string and a cup.  The students had to fling the ball into the air and catch it in the cup.  Here is Carlos (5th and 6th grade teacher) demonstrating to the group!

Clearly it took a lot of concentration =) 

The next game involved to lines of students, each an equal distance away from a ring with a chestnut in the middle.  Each student in the line would have a number.  The teacher would call out a number, and the students with the corresponding number would run to the middle and try to snatch the chestnut first and return to their line without being caught by the opponent.  

These two were pretty evenly matched! 

Here Marcos (The Special Education Teacher) is showing students how to balance on the rope while carrying two plates overflowing with chestnuts! 

Marta (1st Grade Teacher) led a storytelling activity with the students.  

Patricia (The Librarian, Secretary, and Physical Education Teacher) helped students make mobiles using sticks, string and pinecones/leaves from the woods nearby.  

Pilar (English Teacher) and Alberto (Infantil/Preschool Teacher) led a relay race game.  Students had to run through hoops, jump and collect a branch. The team who finished first won the game.  

Ismael (4th Grade and Music) played a traditional game with students.  They had to spin around in circles with their finger on the ground.  When he said go, students had to run to a hoop, and try to throw the hoop over a block set up.  Very difficult if I do say so myself.  

One of the 3 year old students shares his Magosto artwork with his teacher, Marta (3 Year Old teacher).  

Love the look of accomplishment on his face! 

After a morning of fun and games, students headed to the main area inside for a feast of Chestnut proportions.  Cakes, breads, sweets, and more all with chestnuts incorporated in some way shape or form.  

Here are what chestnuts look like! 

After our feast, some parents came by the school and roasted the chestnuts.  They built a fire and then used some chicken wire to keep the nuts out of the coals.  

This was my first taste of a real chestnut, and it wasn't half bad.  I have to say I probably wouldn't eat them all day every day, but they were pretty good.  Once roasted you crack the shell off and there is a soft potato like inside ready to be eaten! 

This is Josefa (2nd Grade Teacher) with her students.  Each student made a necklace out of recycled materials.  They put the chestnuts into these boxes while they ate them.  

Yum! Chestnuts!