Fifteenth Birthday in Mexico - Los XV de Rubi

· This is the story Rubí´s extraordinary party, powered by Facebook and Twitter.

· The invitation to Rubi’s fifteenth birthday party went viral.

· 15 thousand guests or more attended Rubí´s 15th birthday!

· Rubí story shook Mexico.
The unit has two themes:

· the importance of a girl´s 15th birthday as a rite of passage

· the power of social media

The unit includes:

1. A reading – 2 pages

2. The invitation that went viral is included in the reading and can be seen on YouTube. The text of the invitation is included for those who cannot watch it.

3. Reading comprehension questions.

4. Oral. Three television interviews are provided. The students watch one of the interviews, then replace the audio of the interview with their own. Those students unable to watch the interviews, write a script for a radio interview. They can interview not only the birthday girl, but all the members of her family.

5. Discussion topics. Four discussion topics. Each one deals with a different aspect, social media, fame, rites of passage and celebrations.

6. Grammar. Preterits. Fill in the blanks with the verbs provided. Contextualized to a more typical 15th birthday.

7. Homework. Create a souvenir album, either virtually or in paper. Suggestions and key words are provided.

8. Teacher´s guide. Has further information on the 15th birthday in other countries, including Spain and the United States. Further pedagogical suggestions are provided.

9. Answer key.

10. Additional resources. Music and film.

11. List of the 54 photographs suggested for page 4.