My unit on the Afrolatino Experience has evolved since last year. I have 4 distinct countries whose experiences we survey, a few key texts–of truly varied forms–for each, and essential questions that facilitate reflection, comparison, and contrast among the four countries. Essential questions: ¿Cómo se expresa la herencia africana en Read more…
Image via Jijo Sunny 1. Tweet per pageI presented a page from America (with vocabulary preview), along with this tweet: Escribe un tuit para página 8 y otro para página 9 en la voz de #América #srasxtn #Esp2— Laura Sexton (@SraSxtn) February 24, 2012 We discussed (IN SPANISH!!) the main problems Read more…
I’m trying to design a project that would foster a little introspection while reinforcing the imperfect tense and connecting a little to La llaman America. Almost halfway through the year, we’re on page 4 of the picture book, where America’s behavior in her current setting in Chicago is contrasted with Read more…
I googled Chicago, violencia, and pandillas to find an article to tie to the third page of text from a picture book for Spanish II. La llaman América is about a little girl who immigrated to Chicago from Mexico and her experiences in her home, school, and neighborhood. As authentic Read more…
A la panaderia I have heard it called “the elusive 5th C.” When I started teaching Spanish, I was more than a little put off that I was expected to do something so unheard of in any other discipline. As Skype got fancier, however, and Twitter opened up connections and Read more…
Two things were missing: interpersonal interaction and sufficient authentic input. Also, engagement had been stretched a little thin, either by note-taking (although in a form not quite as dry as other methods) or a pretty solid week of writing and revising. My Spanish 3 pack needed to be exposed to more Read more…
If you have to teach grammar, teach it authentically. Use models by native speakers for native speakers, and break down Presentation. Attention. Co-Construct an explanation. Extension activity. P.A.C.E. kind of reminds me of my English methods class. We learned that isolated explicit grammar instruction was one of THE least effective Read more…
Page 1 is a perfect review of Spanish 1. It is also a chance to connect literature to each individual student. I hope it can also be the basis for TL conversations about identity and origins. I’d like to spend a day or two on interpreting the page, a couple Read more…
Page 1 is a perfect review of Spanish 1. It is also a chance to connect literature to each individual student. I hope it can also be the basis for TL conversations about identity and origins. I’d like to spend a day or two on interpreting the page, a couple Read more…
I plundered the Spanish kids book section at my local library. I’ve got 9 books to peruse and plan around. First, we have some recipe books to complement the cooking unit for Spanish I: Available at Amazon Most recipes are under a page and include some very Mexican ingredients (nopales, anyone?) Read more…