Unit 1: The Spanish Speaking World and Me
(Week 1, 6 Weeks)
Overarching Question
Who am I and how do I connect to the Spanish-speaking world?
Focus Questions
1. Who am I?
2. How do I introduce myself to others?
3. How do I find out about others?
4. Where in the world is Spanish spoken?
5. Who are some famous people from Spanish-speaking countries?
6. How do my values compare to those of the people who are from
Spanish-speaking countries?
Unit Abstract
In this unit of study, students begin to learn how to communicate effectively about
themselves in Spanish. Students understand as well as interpret meaning from
information exchanged in conversation as they learn to meet, greet and say goodbye
to others. In addition, students recognize the levels of formality in iSpanish and become
aware of the social gestures associated with Spanish greetings. Furthermore, students
learn to introduce themselves and to respond to questions about themselves. They
also learn to ask questions about others. Through the study of self, the students gain
knowledge and insight into the Hispanic culture. Students are introduced to the
geography, values and icons of the Spanish-speaking world. Students begin to
recognize basic pronunciation and elements of the language (alphabet, accent marks,
cognates, etc.). Students gain knowledge and insight into what it means to be a
Spanish-speaker and why it is important to learn Spanish in their community and
beyond.
Key Concepts
Express greetings and leave-takings:
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Hola, Buenos días, Buenas tardes, Buenas noches, ¿Qué tal?
Adiós, Hasta luego, Chao, Hasta mañana, Nos vemos
Express pleasantries/courtesies:
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mucho gusto/encantado/a
igualmente
gracias
por favor
de nada
Exchange personal information:
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¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo
¿Cómo se llama él/ella? Se llama
¿Cómo se llama usted? Me llamo
¿De dónde eres? Soy de...
¿De dónde es? Es de...
¿Cuántos años tienes? Tengo ... años
¿Cuántos años tiene? Tiene...años
¿Cómo estás? Estoy bien, mal, así así,
¿Cómo está él/ella? Está bien, mal, así así
Identify culturally appropriate gestures and honorifics:
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handshake
kiss on the cheek
embrace
usted
Señor/a/ita
Identify and compare key cultural values in the Spanish-speaking world with one's own
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family
respect
religion
relationships
Identify cultural icons in the Spanish-speaking world, their profession and where their
country of origin is located.
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Pablo Picasso-Spain-artista
Shakira-Colombia-cantante
Ricky Martin-Puerto Rico-cantante
César Chavez-Mexico/U.S.-activista
King Felipe VI-Spain-Rey
Evita Perón-ArgentinaFrida Kahlo-México-artista
Diego Rivera-México-artista
Miguel Cabrera-Venezuela-jugador de béisbol
Isabel Allende-Chile-escritora
Diego Forlan -Uruguay-jugador de fútbol
Gloria Estefan - Cuba-cantante
Oscar de la Renta - Dominican Republic-modista
Rigoberta Menchú - Guatemala-activista
Carlos Mencia - Honduras-comediante
Rosa Mendez - Costa Rica-luchadora WWE
Additional Learning:
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Respond to classroom commands: levántense, siéntense, miren, abran/cierren,
escriban.
Express age using numbers 0-100.
Spell using the Spanish alphabet.
Identify cognates.
Express needs utilizing classroom expressions:
 Tengo una pregunta.
 Tengo que ir al baño.
 Necesito un lápiz.
 No entiendo.
 Más despacio, por favor.
 Repita, por favor.
 ¿Cómo se escribe ...? (name, other word, etc)
Identify reasons to study Spanish: graduation requirement, college admissions,
jobs, communication with members of the community, better knowledge of one's
own language
Assessment Tasks
1. Interpersonal Speaking: Students assume the identity of the famous person they
have researched. They will have a conversation with another "famous person" in the
class and exchange information about name, age, origin and how they are feeling. The
conversation should include appropriate honorifics, gestures, pleasantries, greetings
and leave-takings. (1.1.N.SL.a, 1.1.N.SL.b, 1.1.N.SL.c, 1.1.N.SL.f, 2.2.N.C.a)
2. Interpersonal Writing: Students will respond to the question ¿Quién es tu persona
famosa? via text message, email or forum. They will include name, age, origin and
profession. (1.1.N.RW.a, 1.1.N.RW.b, 2.2.N.C.a)
3. Geography/Culture: Students will identify 10 Spanish-speaking countries on the map
given a blank map. (4.2.N.a)
4. Comparisons/Culture: In English, students will identify and describe a cultural value
discussed in class and compare it to their own values. (2.2.N.G.a)
ASMNT 1.3 - map answer sheet.doc
ASMNT 1.3 - map (1).docx
ASMNT 1.4 values.docx
ASMNT_1.1_-_conversation.doc
ASMNT_1.2_-_email_bio.doc
Lesson Sequence
Weeks #1/#2
Teacher introduction / procedures / classroom rules
First person introductions (cómo te llamas/me llamo, cuántos años tienes/tengo
...años, cómo estás? / estoy...), commands and expressions
Talk about why it's important to study Spanish.
Week #3
Have students research famous people.
Students share information about famous person with classmates.
Teach ¿de dónde eres? / soy de...
Conversation practice w/greetings, leave-takings, pleasantries
Introduce criteria for assessment #1
Week #4
Complete assessment #1
Teach all expressions in 3rd person.
Introduce the alphabet and use it to spell names and countries of origin.
Continue to practice with the map using the famous people.
Complete assessment #2.
Week #5
Complete practice and assessment #3.
Introduce cultural values.
Classroom discussions - compare contrast values
Week #6
Revisit expressions, numbers, classroom phrases
Complete assessment #4
Resources
Recommended (not required) Teacher Resources:
Latino Learning Modules Video http://youtube.com/watch?v=15jdTQIr7j4
Señor Wooly "¿Puedo ir al baño?": http://www.senorwooly.com/video/puedo-ir-al-bano
Lernen To Talk Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZtSIB5dQ4ZUVjrcKi5OTRYEO174UREA
The Iceberg Concept of Culture www.msdwt.k12.in.us/msd/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/iceburgofculture.pdf
Numbers and letters of the alphabet: http://www.videoele.com/A1_Numeros_y_letras.html
Countries and nationalities: http://www.videoele.com/A1_Paises-y-nacionalidades.html (listening
activity - number the countries in the order you hear them)
Self introduction (Peru): http://www.laits.utexas.edu/spe/vid/beg08ex.html
Why learn Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Jbo1cVXM8&feature=youtu.be
Greetings and introductions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBkiK35_izU&feature=youtu.be
Greetings videoclip: https://sites.google.com/a/lsoc.org/spanish-language-recordings-by-nativespeakers/listen-to-the-recordings-prompts-numbers-10-20/prompt-19-greetings-la-cortesia
Videoele numbers and letters: http://videoele.com/A1_Numeros_y_letras.html
Videoele colors: http://videoele.com/A1_Colores.html
Videoele days and months and holidays: http://videoele.com/A1_Dias_y_meses.html
Basic colors: http://www.purposegames.com/game/spanish-basic-colors-quiz AND
http://www.purposegames.com/game/2acd17bb13 AND
http://www.digitaldialects.com/Spanish/Colour.htm
Days and months: http://www.digitaldialects.com/Spanish/Daysmonths.htm
Basic greetings and farewells: http://www.purposegames.com/game/ea69181208
Webcams de Mexico by city: http://www.webcamsdemexico.com/index.html
Spanish-speaking countries quiz: http://www.purposegames.com/game/spanish-speakingcountries-quiz
Diferencias importantes entre las culturas.pptx
Some perceptions of Americans.docx
Videoele Paises y Nacionalidades.docx