The Amazon Basin / Potatoes - 2 units about ecology - Intermediate

Although students know a lot about ecological problems and solutions in their own country, they are not familiar with another point of view and another location. By dealing with ecology from a South American point of view, they will gain a better appreciation of our planet. These two units are truly interdisciplinary. They are content-driven and interesting. Please preview.

The first unit is for all lovers of french fries, baked potatoes, potato salad and creamy mashed potatoes.

Unit 1. La papa, comida del pasado y del futuro

During the Irish potato crisis, millions of people died and tens of thousands left Ireland. What does this have to do with Bolivia? The potato is an Andean plant and was a staple there long before it was transported to Ireland. Learn everything about the potato, including a lovely Neruda poem called ‘Oda a la papa.’

Unit includes.

Subject matter: ecology

Vocabulary: agricultural products

Grammar: use of ser, estar and hay

Oral practice: analysis of a Neruda poem

Homework: description of a plant useful to mankind

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

Answer key

The beauty of content-driven resources is that they are the perfect combination of interesting information and language acquisition.

Unit 2. La Amazonía y la ecología del mundo

We don’t often think of the Amazon basin as part of Bolivia, yet in fact, more than half of that country is covered by the thick tropical forest we call the ‘lungs of the earth.’ What are the consequences of cutting down the trees? Compare the region to the United States and then compare two maps showing American forests past and present. Practice ser, estar and hay.

Unit includes.

Subject matter: ecology

Vocabulary: natural world

Grammar: use of ser, estar and hay

Oral practice: consequences of forests disappearing

Homework: open subject on an ecological theme

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

Answer key