Before I go any further its important to point out that words don't always ('usually don't' might be more accurate) translate directly from English to Spanish. Even when a word does translate easily that doesn't mean that it's used the same way. For example,'ir' is the Spanish word for 'to go'. However, 'ir' doesn't directly replace every use of the English phrase 'to go'. Consider this situation. You've just eaten dinner at a restaurant and would like to take your leftovers home with you. In English speaking areas its typical to ask for the leftovers 'to go' or for a 'to go box'. In Spanish the proper word is not 'ir' but the phrase 'para llevar'. This phrase literally translated actually means 'to carry'.
Now what does all that have to do with the word 'up'? Well, this English word doesn't translate so easily. You can't just ask for the Spanish word for 'up' (arriba) and do a quick switch every time you see the word. Partly because in English it doesn't have a consistent meaning.
Think about how many ways the word 'up' can be used, especially cases that have little to do with 'high' or 'top'.
After a few days in kindergarten I'd created a rather long list. (or I could say 'I'd come up with').
*Line up
*Clean up
*Sit up
*Pack up
*Stand up
*Listen up
*Look up
*Pick up
*Scooch/scoot up
*Back up
Now imagine how confusing this must be for the English Language Learner. Just when they (the students) think they've figured out what a familar word means, we change it up on them. The meaning of 'up' changes based on the words it's paired with. While teaching at this level it means that all my instructions and directions are said with some sort of visual, usually an action or physical demonstration. 'Stand up' I do so as I say the words. 'Sit down' I sit. 'Listen up' I put a hand to my ear. 'Look' I point to my eyes. How to rotate for centers, I walk to each table. 'Open your red box' I open the box. It gets exhusting teaching like that; having to walk to 4 places around the room while giving directions is much harder that sitting in front of the class. But I do it because to me it's that important that my students can see what I'm saying.
For procedures and routines that the students will need to do independently my principal explained it this way.
Model--Teacher does the action
Act--2 or 3 students do the the action
Practice-Whole class does the action
I kept this on a Post-It note on my desk during my time in Kindergarten. It was such a helpful reminder to me.
Take a look at how each of those English 'Up' phrases that are so common in the classroom translate to in Spanish.
*Clean up-- 'Limpia' 'Limpia las cosas' Literal English Translation: 'Clean' 'Clean the things'
*Sit up--'Sientese' 'Sientese bien' Literal English Translation: 'Sit' 'Sit right (properly)' Note: this means both 'sit up' and 'sit down' in English. In Spanish, the same phrase is used with a student who is laying down and with a student who is standing up.)
*Pack up--'Guardan sus cosas.' Literal English Translation: 'Guard your things' Used as 'put away'.
*Stand up--'Pone sus pies' Literal English Translation: 'Put on your feet.'
*Listen up--'Eschuca' Literal English Translation: 'Listen'
*Look up-'Mira' 'Mira enfrente' 'Mira arriba' Literal English Translation: 'Look' 'Look forward' 'Look up' (This would imply above your head, not the front of the classroom. Nor does it mean 'look up information')
*Pick up-'Recogen las cosas' Literal English Translation: 'Gather the things'
*Scooch/scoot up--'Mas Alante' Literal English Translation: 'More forward'
*Back up--'Mas Atras' Literal English Translation: 'More Backwards'
Real Spanish Speakers: I did not take the time to look each of these up or check them on Google Translate. I am aware that this is not perfect. Please be aware that I'm still learning Spanish.
Consider these translations. In each English the word 'up' is used. In the Spanish, there's hardly a single repeat among any of the phrases. The only exceptions are 'cosas' (things) and 'sus' (your). The only use of the actual translation for 'up' (arriba), doesn't even offer that same meaning as the English. I know it's best (easiest) to learn a new language at a young age, but I can't imagine the confusion this must cause for those 5 year olds.
I hope you've found this as intriguing as I did when I first began to notice how often the word 'up' is used in the classroom. Now, I'll leave you to ponder this: Suppose a 5 year old ELL student asked you for the meaning (or translation) of the word 'up'. How would you respond?
