6th grade World Cultural Languages
3 week program
SPANISH Agenda
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to discuss Spanish eating customs, the Semana Santa, and the
Running of the Bulls. If time permits, Tomatina will also be included.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Day 5:
Vocabulary introduction and Spanish foods



Vocabulary list handout
Article on eating customs
Agree/Disagree worksheet
Semana Santa


Article on Holy Week in Spain
Comprehension worksheet
Running of the Bulls


Article on this yearly tradition
Comprehension worksheet
Semana Santa Petal Project

Rubric handout
Assessment (Vocabulary and content information)
 Short assessment of Spanish week
6th Grade World Cultural Languages
Spanish Vocabulary
Spanish culture will include learning about Spanish eating customs, Semana Santa, the Running of the
Bulls, Tomatina * and common Spanish vocabulary words which go with each topic. You will be held
accountable for learning the following words:
Food:
1. desayuno (day-sigh-oo-no) = breakfast
2. comida (coh-me-dah) = lunch or meal
3 .cena (say-nah) = dinner
Semana Santa:
4. alfombra = (al-foam-brah) = carpet
5. semana (say-mah-nah) = week
6. santa (sahn-tah) = saint
7. banda (ban-dah) = band
8. música (moo-see-cah) = music
Running of the Bulls:
9. toro (tor-oh) = bull
10. España (es-pan-yah) = Spain
* Tomatina (if time)
(Extra credit) tomate (toe-mah-tay) = tomato
Spanish Eating Customs: Meals
In the United States, a normal day's breakfast, or desayuno,
typically consists merely of a cup of coffee, although it's also
commonplace to accompany your steaming café con leche, milk,
with a croissant or other pastry. While an American traditional
breakfast has pancakes, bacon, and eggs, the Spanish
"traditional" breakfast consists of the vastly popular churros, served sprinkled with sugar or
dunked in hot chocolate.
Spaniards eat their lunch, or comida, between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon. Serving
as the day's main meal, it is traditionally quite a bit larger than the dinner meal, or cena. A
typical lunch will have several courses. The first course is the lighter part of the meal, usually
consisting of a salad or soup, while the second course is normally your typical fish or meat
dish. A dessert can be a simple piece of fruit, a typical Spanish flan, or a sweet pastry or cake.
While there are, of course, many people who eat full meals, the Spanish dinner (cena)
is traditionally much smaller than the midday comida. It often consists of something lighter like
a salad, a sandwich, or a selection of tapas. Spaniards eat late for this final meal of the day,
even more so on weekends and during the summer, sitting down to eat anytime from 9:00 until
11:00 in the evening.
Spanish Eating Customs: Sobremesa
The name says it all. The word sobremesa literally means "over the table" and refers to
the art of conversation after a meal. Instead of taking the last bite and leaving, Spaniards often
stay at the table talking, enjoying each other's company, and perhaps sharing a drink. If good
conversation continues, one can stay for hours!
Spanish Eating Customs: Siesta
No, it's not a myth. Yes, the siesta really does exist. It began long ago as after eating
the large mid-day meal, farm workers needed to rest and digest their food before going back
out to work in the fields. While this daily break doesn't necessarily include a nap, businesses
and stores do shut down for about two hours, and many people return home to eat with their
families.
Spanish Eating Customs: Wine
Whether out at a restaurant or in the home with the family, it is very typical to drink wine
along with a meal. It is so common, in fact, that restaurants offering a menú almost always
include wine in the advertised price.
Spanish Eating Customs: Coffee
Coffee is quite the Spanish phenomenon. Many Spaniards drink several cups of their
favorite caffeinated beverage in the course of a single day. Coffee also traditionally follows a
Spanish meal and is served after the dessert. To fit in with the locals, ask for a café con leche
(coffee with milk), a café solo (coffee without milk), or a café cortado (coffee with some milk).
Spanish Eating Customs: Tipping
While its practice is completely voluntary, many restaurant patrons choose to leave a
modest tip of around 5-10% after a meal.
Spanish Eating Customs: Tapas and their History
Tapas are a very important part of Spanish eating and
these small snacks or appetizers vary from region to region and
can be served hot or cold. Since many Spaniards don’t eat lunch
until late in the day, eating tapas is a good way to stave off
hunger pains or they can become a meal of their own!
The Spanish practice of going out for tapas, called el
tapeo, had its humble beginnings long ago and ironically
originally involved empty plates. Widely thought to have gotten
its start in Seville, bartenders would cover, or tapar, wine glasses with a small plate in order to
protect the drink from fruit flies. Soon, they took to placing a simple slice of ham on top of the
glass, an addition which naturally appealed to bar patrons. Seeing the possibility of attracting
more customers, the bar-owners began varying the type of tapas adorning the little plates that
came with each drink, and the widespread national phenomenon known as tapas got its start.
Tapas Traditions
Going out for tapas is one of the few experiences that doesn't involve a table cloth and a
pricey sit-down meal. The way to enjoy tapas is to stand at the bar with a group of friends,
share a few different tapas, and wash them down with wine or beer. Afterwards, pick a new
bar, a new spread of tapas, and repeat the process. You can easily see why, when the
conversation is lively and the tapas are tasty, this advanced art of snacking can certainly
become a whole meal.
Typical Tapas
Don't be shy about asking what to order as most bars will suggest that you try their
specialties (which usually happens to be the region's specialties
as well). Tapas menus undeniably vary as you move through
Spain; the best tapas in central Madrid, for example, are sure to
be different from the choice tapas along the northern Galician
shores. However, regardless of whether you're relaxing along the
Mediterranean or enjoying the scenery in La Mancha, you are
sure to find some common tapas "classics."
As Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula, and
therefore, very nearly surrounded by water, seafood and
shellfish naturally play a huge part in Spanish food. A few
delicacies of the sea to try are calamares (fried squid), cod
fritters, gambas pil-pil (prawns in hot, garlic oil), and boquerones
(anchovies). Moving away from seafood, other typical tapas
include chorizo (sausage), paella (rice dish), a variety of casserole stews, callos (tripe with
chickpeas), jamón serrano (cured ham), albóndigas (meatballs) and the ever classic tortilla
española (Spanish potato omelette).
Tortilla Española
You absolutely cannot leave Spain without trying its famous tortilla
española (Spanish omelette). Served hot or cold, as a meal or as
a tapa, on its own or in a sandwich, the tortilla española is
certainly a category of its own. Not to be confused with the tortilla
francesa (French omelette), the thick tortilla española is cooked in
olive oil and features fried, thinly-sliced potatoes along with the
eggs. While the tortilla española is usually kept to the basics of
potatoes and eggs, sometimes you can find other vegetables,
onions often make an appearance, thrown into the mix for variety.
Churros
The Spanish version of fried dough is called a churro and, unlike its ever-delicious
fairground counterpart, it is a commonplace treat for breakfast and a snack. Each morning, you
can easily find a churrería- a small shop or street vendor that sells churros, by simply following
the mouth-watering smell right back to its source. You can usually buy the fresh, ridged
churros by the half-dozen or dozen, either to eat there or to bring home. Whether you sprinkle
them with sugar or dunk them in a steaming cup of hot chocolate, be sure to eat them while
they're hot and crispy!
History of Spanish Food
The succession of cultures that one-by-one set foot on the Iberian Peninsula have each
left a lasting mark on every facet of Spain's culture: language, music, art, architecture and, of
course, food. In fact, many people are surprised to learn just how much of a delicious melting
pot Spain really is.
Geography of Spanish Food
The basis of the history of Spanish food, of course, has to do with its geographical
situation. First of all, the country is located on the Iberian Peninsula and is, therefore, almost
entirely surrounded by the waters. Naturally, due to this fortunate location, seafood forms one
of the pillars of Spainish food and categorizes the country as having a Mediterranean diet. The
rest of Spain is a diverse terrain made up of mountain ranges, lush pastures, fertile farm
grounds, extensive coastlines and more, which together provide quite the variety of fresh
products. For example, Spain's famous hams are cured high in the mountains, vineyards and
olive groves sprawl across the land, and fresh fruits and vegetables hail from throughout the
country.
Cultures Throughout the History of Spanish Food
Endless cultures, as they passed through or settled in Spain, have influenced the
history of Spanish food. The Phoenicians left their sauces, the Greeks introduced Spain to the
wonders of olive oil, and Romans, Carthaginians, and Jews integrated elements of their own
cooking into that of Spain. However it was the Moors who, during their centuries of reign, most
impacted Spanish food. They introduced fruits and light seasonings into the Iberian diet, as
well as combinations of fruits and nuts with meats and fish. Rice, a genuine staple of Spanish
food, and therefore, Spain's vast array of rice dishes, come straight from the Moors, as does
the use of saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg. As you eat gazpacho (cold soup) on a hot summer
day, thank the talented Moorish culture, as it too comes straight from them. Ironically enough,
the foods we consider to be "typically Spanish" would either not exist or would be extremely
different without the intervention of so many cultures into the history of Spanish food.
The Americas' Impact on the History of Spanish Food
Along with its obvious historical impact, the discovery of the Americas with Christopher
Columbus' famous 1492 voyage resulted in the addition of more important elements to the
history of Spanish food. As of 1520, foods from the new lands arrived in Spain and
immediately began to integrate themselves into the Spanish diet. Amongst the many products
that crossed the Atlantic and arrived on Spanish turf, tomatoes, vanilla, chocolate, various
beans, and potatoes, which surprisingly arrived in Spain before arriving in Ireland, are all
staples of today's Spanish kitchen.
6th Grade World Cultural Languages
Spanish Food Article
Objectives:
Students will be able to identify Spanish eating customs, typical foods and their origins, and some of the
cultures which influenced Spanish food.
Please follow these directions:
1. Before you read about Spain and its food, read each of the statements in the middle column.
2. In the left column, write whether you “Agree” or “Disagree” with each statement.
3. Next, read the article about Spanish eating customs.
4. After reading the article, write in the right-hand column whether you now agree or
disagree with each statement.
5. If you disagreed, write the correct answer in English.
Before
Reading
Statement
Dinner, in Spain, is the biggest
meal of the day.
The “siesta” or “nap” use to exist but
it doesn’t any longer.
In Spain, it is very typical to drink mineral
water with a meal.
In Spain, coffee is traditionally served
with dessert.
Leaving a tip, after a meal in Spain,
is mandatory.
Tapas are Spanish appetizers.
It is a tradition to go “Tapas hopping”
from one place to another.
Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Mexicans have had the most
impact on Spanish food.
It is common in Spain to eat “churros” at
local carnivals.
After Reading
Holy Week in Spain
Semana Santa
The Passion of Christ, or Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa is the most important celebration in
the country. The festivities begin with the Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and end with Lunes de Pascua
(Easter Monday). It is a celebration of life itself and the whole country comes alive. The Catholic Church in
Spain is passionate about Easter celebrations.
Almost every town and city in Spain will have their own Easter celebrations and almost every resident will
be involved in some way. In the major cities the processions are of huge proportions, often stretching for
miles.
Spain celebrates Easter Week much more than most European countries. During the whole of Semana Santa,
(Holy Week), street processions are organized in most Spanish towns each evening, from Palm Sunday to
Easter Sunday.
People carry statues of saints around on floats or wooden platforms, and an atmosphere of mourning - which
can seem quite oppressive to onlookers - and the Easter week processions end with Easter Sunday, a day full
of light and color when church and cathedral bells are heard ringing throughout the country.
In some of the processions, marchers wear clothes that are meant to depict the Nazareños, people from
Nazareth. The religious fraternities and brotherhoods are responsible for carrying the statues and organizing
the bandas de música. The Nazareños follow the people who carry the floats bearing sculptures and models of
biblical scenes.
The people who carry the weight of the floats are called "costaleros" and are expected the carry these
"thrones" with solemnity and grace. They use a small cushion, "costal" to protect themselves from getting
sores from the wood rubbing against their skin during the long processions.
The most famous Easter celebrations are held in various Andalusian towns, Valladolid, Toledo, Segovia,
Burgos, Zamora and Cuenca.
1) When is Semana Santa celebrated?
2) What day marks the start of Semana Santa?
3) What day marks the end of Semana Santa?
4) List at least 3 major components of a Semana Santa celebration.
Nombre
Fecha (date)
Clase
Easter Petal Pathways
Semana Santa is not only celebrated in Spain but also in Latin American countries. One
such country is Guatemala. In Guatemala, Semana Santa is celebrated with parades,
ceremonies and many traditional rituals. One of the most beautiful of these rituals is the
creation of alfombras in the street. These street carpets are made with flower petals, pine
needles and dyed sawdust.
You will be creating your own alfombra for a celebration of your choosing. Your
alfombra must include the following basic components:
1) A border design
2) A center design
3) Flowers and/or flower petals included in some aspect of your design.
Nombre
Fecha (date)
Clase
Easter Petal Pathways
Rubric
CATEGORY
5
3
1
0
Use of Class
Time
Used time well during
the class period.
Focused on getting the
“alfombra” done.
Never distracted
others.
Used time well during
the class period.
Usually focused on
getting the “alfombra”
done and never
distracted others.
Used some of the time
well during the class
period. There was
some focus on getting
the “alfombra” done
but occasionally
distracted others.
Did not use class time
to focus on the
“alfombra” OR often
distracted others.
Attractiveness
The “alfombra” is
exceptionally attractive
in terms of design,
layout, and neatness.
The “alfombra” is
attractive in terms of
design, layout and
neatness.
The “alfombra” is
acceptably attractive
though it may be a bit
messy.
The “alfombra” is
distractingly messy or
very poorly designed.
It is not attractive.
“Alfombra”
Authenticity
The “alfombra” is very The “alfombra” is
similar to pictures that similar to the pictures
we looked at in class. we looked at during
class.
The “alfombra” has
some similarities to
those we saw during
class.
The “alfombra” is not
at all similar to the
pictures we looked at
during class.
“Alfombra”
Originality &
Completeness
The “alfombra” is very
original and creative in
its design. The student
went above and
beyond to create a
unique design.
The “alfombra” is
original in its design.
The student put some
thought into their
design.
The “alfombra” is not
very original in its
design. It appears that
the student rushed to
complete it.
/20
The “alfombra” is very
original and creative in
its design. The student
put a lot thought into
their design.