Machu Picchu (1), Street vendors (2), interdisciplinary thematic units - SP Intermediate 1

I was born in Peru, so this is easy. I have been to Machu Picchu four times, each marking a different period in my life. My first visit was when I was 8 or 9 and my parents took me. My second visit was during my university years and I went with my girl friend. The third time I took my husband, a Canadian on his first visit to Peru. And we climbed the Huayna Picchu, an unforgettable experience. The last time I took my children to show them this extraordinary, breathtaking, beautiful place, unique in the world. I have been very fortunate.

If you too have had the privilege of visiting Machu Picchu and want to share your experience, please add it to the comments on this page. Thank you for sharing.

Unit 1. Machu Picchu: ciudad mágica

Every Spanish teacher wants to visit Machu Picchu. Convey that excitement to the students! Walk along the Inca Trail to the ruins; participate in the yearly clean-up. Language and culture are intertwined, so you can practice adverbs in Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Enjoy!

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: tourism

2. Vocabulary: adverbs of place

3. Grammar: prepositions

4. Oral practice: native languages of North America

5. Homework: you are an archaeologist, describe the find

6. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search and further research

7. Answer key

Unit 2. Jacinto Quispe, ambulante

Domestic servants, child labor, street vendors! Deal with reality! What are their lives like? Spanish is so exciting to teach! My students were into this, especially when we compared the information about Peru to the reality of those working at McDonald jobs.

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: daily life

2. Vocabulary: chores in the home

3. Grammar: contrast between present and present perfect

4. Oral practice: interview of potential home

worker

1. Homework: should there be street vendors?

2. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search and further research

3. Answer key

Remember that I am a great advocate of reading, so each unit starts with a reading, then comprehension, extension, integrated vocabulary and grammar plus oral and written assignments as well as Internet key words to allow students to research.
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