I am a High School World Language Teacher of Spanish, French, ESL and Bi-lingual education with 25 years of experience teaching all levels K-University level language classes. I love teaching and always ask for new responsibilities to broaden my knowledge. I am a documentary buff so I also write movie guides on a variety of Social Studies and Health related topics in addition to World Languages. I am excited to be able to share lessons with others and welcome your feedback.
I am a High School World Language Teacher of Spanish, French, ESL and Bi-lingual education with 25 years of experience teaching all levels K-University level language classes. I love teaching and always ask for new responsibilities to broaden my knowledge. I am a documentary buff so I also write movie guides on a variety of Social Studies and Health related topics in addition to World Languages. I am excited to be able to share lessons with others and welcome your feedback.
This 90 minute documentary from PBS chronicles the life and career of Frida Kahlo, explains her work and her relationship with muralist Diego Rivera. If you are teaching Mexican art to Spanish students and don't want to show "Frida" because of its R rating and evocative scenes, this film gives all the information necessary to understand Frida's life, love and works, with beautiful up close visuals of many of her greatest paintings. Movie guide contains 30 questions that follow the film and two follow up topics for class discussion or to be assigned as an essay for homework. This film works well for Level III teaching Realidades unit on Art, or AP curriculum as well as for an art or social studies class. Movie will take 2-3 days to complete, depending on if you stop to discuss questions with students ( PBS documentary is available for purchase on Amazon starting at $10 or directly from their website for $24.99)
Roy Germano PhD in poli sci visits small Mexican towns to interview people about why many people risk their lives to leave for work in the US. Germano talks with workers, farmers, spouses, families and municipal employees to discover reasons people leave and what happens to their families when they go. This compelling documentary is 55 minutes long and fits neatly in 1 class. It is an excellent companion to one of the many movies about undocumented immigrants and their journeys to the US. Most of this film is in Spanish w English subtitles and works well with any level high school Spanish or Social Studies where you have spent time discussing the immigration. This film is very well made, not rated, and has won awards at film festivals, available on Netflix or for purchase on Amazon. Movie guide contains 22 questions that follow the film. I divide students into small groups and assign each group sections to answer, then share out. Questions included in Spanish and English.
Students discover the meaning and excitement of having a Quinceañera. They visit many different websites to acquire vocabulary, become acquainted with events of the big day, plan their own Quince event (keeping a budget) shop for a dress and ultimately connect the Quince experience through personal reflection. Adventure takes at least one day in the lab, could be two or assigned as homework. Adventure comes with a page of useful links that have all been tested (working) and are kid appropriate. Questions are in English, this lesson is best suited for beginning levels of Spanish.
This worksheet guides students through the basics of making comparisons of equality and inequality. Step by step notes, followed by short practices, you can complete these together in class or assign as homework. Page three is a half sheet fun activity you do with your students in class. Takes about 15 minutes to complete, you will need a big bag of M and M's candy and some small dixie cups. Kids love practicing their comparisons and then eating the results.
This 20 slide powerpoint covers conjugation of the verb tener with a few short practice examples and then introduces expressions used with TENER in Spanish. Preview file for this product is a downloadable worksheet for note taking as you present the slides to students. This powerpoint works best as an introductory lesson for Spanish I or as a quick review for Spanish II students returning from the long summer break.
This worksheet reviews the main differences between a reflexive and a reciprocal action with some brief notes and examples. Following are 44 practice exercises for students to decide if the actions are either reflexive or reciprocal, and to conjugate verbs that require pronouns. Good practice for Spanish III or higher as you must have a wide knowledge of various verbs in these families and their definitions in order to be successful in completing the exercises.
This newest 20 episode of Radio Ambulante addresses the issue of beauty, through the eyes of Gabi who is very self critical and those around her who have criticized and mocked her for her ugliness since childhood. In the interview Gabi explores the topic of ugliness/beauty and how she sees herself, those around her and how others have treated her. This podcast is excellent for a Heritage Learner class or a Level V Spanish AP class as one of the AP themes is beauty and aesthetics. There are a couple of questions the interviewer poses that may make some students uncomfortable (references to body parts) so its best to listen to the podcast and decide if your audience is mature, or if you want to make a brief comment prior to beginning the listening practice to avoid discomfort. Download includes 13 questions in chronological order and 4 follow up topics for discussion or as writing prompts for students to react. Answers to podcast also included and a link on top to podcasts for absent students. Radio Ambulante never disappoints and this topic is spot on for AP test prep.
This worksheet provides students practice in conjugation and comprehension of e--> ie stem changer verbs. Vocabulary list of verbs is provided at the top for students to define meanings, followed by 20 practice examples where they must choose between 2 verbs and conjugate correctly. Answer key provided.
Suitable for level III or higher after learning the basics of Future tense conjugation. Quiz is 34 points, has a verb chart, fill in the blanks, finish the sentences (open ended) and answer the questions. Takes about 20 min to complete.
Lots of different practices from easy to hard using SER with pronouns, SER with nationalities, SER with clothing and colors. For the situation where there is never enough practice with SER, these exercises provide pages of opportunities to finally "get it".
This grid has some forms of verbs in it and students must complete the rest. Once completed it is a handy reference tool to review regular and irregular preterite verb conjugations. Suitable as a review for SPanish III or test prep for Spanish II at the end of the unit on preterite verbs.
This is a short paragraph that students read and make decisions as to what type of verb is required, a reflexive, a reciprocal or a regular verb. They make their choice, conjugate the verb and defend their choice with a reason. Good for discussion before a quiz or as a review. Also suitable to assign as homework.
This worksheet is best when first introducing preterite verbs or as homework for students. Only -AR verbs are presented here. The short sentences narrate a surprise party for a family member. (so, bonus if you are using party vocabulary... Realidades 2, En Español)
PG-13 film with a wonderful way to discuss undocumented immigrants and their difficulties. Under the same moon tells the story of Carlitos, a 9 yr old boy who travels from Mexico to Los Angeles to find his mother after 4 yrs apart. The characters that Carlitos encounters along the way and the challenges his mother faces in her daily life are symbolic of the struggles many undocumented immigrants and their families face every day. The film is in Spanish, study questions provided in both Spanish and English, this film is suitable for any level from middle school beginners to higher level learners. One of my favourite films on a very timely topic.
Movie Guide Under the Same Mon by
This 40 point quiz within the context of the fairy tale Little Red Ridinghood works best for students at level III or higher who have been working with Preterite vs Imperfect within the context of a short story. Students prior knowledge of this famous fairy tale will help them to comprehend the context of the story and select the best verb choice. Answer key included, quiz takes about 20 minutes to complete in class. Quiz could also be used as a practice.
This powerpoint tells the famous Aesop fable of the Lion and the Mouse. 25 blanks for students to decide preterite or imperfect alternate with slides that contain the answers and rationale for their choices. Students can practice a story together and discuss their choices prior to trying some of my other practice fables as worksheets for homework. Each slide contains 2-3 sentences and is immediately followed by the the answers. This powerpoint would work best early on in the preterite vs imperfect unit after students have been presented with the reasons/concepts for each verb tense. Provides an important step for "guided practice" to reduce frustrations and stimulate discussion before students practice on their own. Free preview file is the graphic organizer on blackline for students to track their answers and reasons.
This 12 question checklist survey about childhood activities and preferences makes a great introduction to the unit on childhood. Students read a series of statements in the imperfect tense and check off any applicable answers. Download also contains a two column vocabulary list of helpful childhood words. Free preview file is a powerpoint that matches the questions, so the day after you assign students the homework you can review the questions together. I like to print a class roster on a grid and copy it for students. Then they can tally their classmates answers to the questions as you call on students to report their responses. Worksheet works best with level II students who have recently begun learning childhood vocabulary (Realidades II and En Español ) and can recognize verbs in the imperfect tense. Powerpoint survey takes about 20 minutes to run in class the next day.
I created this powerpoint to help Spanish heritage learners and advanced Spanish students identify the key components of a story. the powerpoint explains the elements of a story, including narration styles, how to break a story apart and key terminology in Spanish. This lesson will be useful to students who are reading short stories in Spanish and/or preparing for the AP literature exam. Download alsohas a graphic organizer for notetaking, so students can take notes as you present the information. Takes one class perdiod to cover the information and could be followed up the next day with a short story that students can practice identifying what they have learned. Best suited for a level IV or AP class or any middle or high school language arts class conducted in Spanish.
Teaching a unit on immigration this year? With as much press for reform as of recently, its a timely topic. This 60 word powerpoint contains pictures for common vocabulary to discuss immigration. Preview file is a blackline vocabulary list with Spanish and English and a middle column for students to write short sentences or definitions using the words as practice that accompanies the powerpoint. Powerpoint takes about one class period to present and generates some good discussions/prior knowledge around words like amnesty, corruption, sponsorship etc. This powerpoint and list works well for level III or higher students who have had some experience with present subjunctive in order to form opinions and make recommendations. You may wish to teach immigration alongside subjunctive so students can express their views as they learn.
This powerpoint contains 20 photos of famous people that students can practice describing with adjectives. There is also a supporting worksheet that accompanies it. Students circle the correct adjective for each famous person. Great activity as a warm up after a couple of days of adjective practice. Powerpoint photos also work as a stand alone activity where students produce adjectives that describe the photos.