This popular film from the late 1980's remains a favourite with first year Spanish students. Sweet 15 explores two culturally relevant themes, the significance of the Quinceañera and the issue of granting amnesty to illegal aliens in the U.S. While the film is a little dated, the issues explored remain very relevant today and evoke some good in class discussion about becoming a citizen, illegal workers and the coming of age ritual of the quinceañera. Movie guide includes optional websites and questions for "presearch", 25 chronological movie questions and follow up questions for discussion. Best suited for first year Spanish students.

This movie chronicles three generations of a Mexican American family living in East Los Angeles. Several themes in the film include the importance of the family unit and the cultural differences of Hispanic families, deportation of Mexican immigrants during the Great Depression, discrimination against Mexican workers,and the Pachuco gangster movement of the 50's. My students really enjoyed this film and it goes well with any unit on the family or as a mini lesson. The movie carries an R rating for strong language and one very brief partial nudity scene which could be easily edited out. There are 32 chronological questions in the movie guide. Students will enjoy identifying the cast of characters as there are many familiar faces in this film. This film is also suitable for ESL students of Hispanic origin as the story relates well to challenges faced by previous generations of Hispanic immigrants.

This HBO/National Geographic Documentary chronicles several immigrants perilous journey to attempt to cross into the US. Its one of the best films I have ever used to teach this theme to students of all levels. Most of the film is in Spanish, but has subtitles. Suitable for Spanish students of any level or ESL students of Hispanic origin, this film will open students eyes to the dangers and despair that illegal immigrants face while trying to pursue the American dream. 20 chronological questions in English and a 2nd version in Spanish. Word bank of additional vocabulary for students should you wish to give them an out of class follow up writing assignment.

This is a semester long out of class project for students of exploratory, elementary or first semester Spanish I. The project is desigend to create an awareness in students to the presence of Spanish in our everyday lives and products. Beginning students who have completed this project tell me that ever after they can't stop reading labels in Spanish. It's a very easy project to do and grade and is best for younger learners and absolute beginners. Lesson includes directions and a blackline master of artifact sheets you can copy and give to your students to label their items and get the most out of the assignment. This lesson is written for teachers to give to their Spanish students, but could easily be adapted for other languages.

This movie is best suited for higher level classes. (Spanish III or higher) It carries an R rating for two very brief and innocent nude scenes, but will require a parental release form if your students aren't at least 17. There are 40 questions in Spanish that accompany the film and 7 temas para pensar that follow for class discussion or out of class writing assignments. The movie is in Spanish with subtitles.

Basic vocabulary list with space to write English for colours, clothing and other words associated with describing and buying clothing.

This movie is excellent for Spanish IV, V or AP/IB class. It takes place in Franco's Spain and alternates between the real world of the resistance movement with its risks of fighting facism, and the magical world of Ofelia's Labyrinth. This film carries an R rating for several scences of brutal violence and may require parental permission if your students are younger than 17. Pan's Labyrinth won an Oscar for Best Foreign film and is an excellent way to introduce your students to the terrors of Franco's facism. Study Guide includes 19 chronological questions in Spanish, Temas para Pensar discussion questions and a word bank to help your students write and comprehend the film. Created by Barbara Davis

Spanish students never seems to get enough practice with interrogatives. This packet begins with students choosing from a couple of interrogatives, and finishes with students selecting the correct interrogative. There are forty total exercises in a three page packet. Makes a great review or additional practice opportunity. Questions use school and classroom vocabulary as their main focus.

This mini adventure webquest puts students to work compiling information about a Spanish speaking country of choice. I recommend partners and a day in the lab together where you can guide them through the website and help them to form conclusions and comparisons to their own lives in the US. Assignment can be completed in one class period. Allow two more class periods for students to present their findings to the class. Assignment is in English as its designed for lower level or introductory courses but could easily be converted into Spanish for a higher level class, or used for a French class with Francophone countries.

Students use their cell phones in class to send and respond to text messages in order to discover the identity of the mystery texter. Also included are a list of popular abbreviations that native speakers use around the world to text their friends. This activity works well in claasses of 16+ students and will fascinate them while practicing interrogatives!

This worksheet reviews days of the week, months, and seasons for students who need extra practice or are just being introduced to them.

21 chronological questions in both Spanish and English to accompany the film Motorcycle Diaries which chronicles the early life of Che Guevara. This film won awards and is excellent for any level of Spanish or Social Studies. However, one should note that the film carries an R rating for the language that appears in the subtitles. (the English is harsher than the original script) and you will want to obtain parental permission or limit this film to junior and senior students. Movie guide also contains 9 follow up topics for class discussion or independent student writing. Great film! Your students will love it.

You can teach your students all regular and irregular preterite verb conjugations through this rap song, and you will look hilarious. The lyrics accompany the old RAPPERS DELIGHT song by the Sugarhill Gang. Powerpoint will flash the lyrics on your smartboard so everyone can participate . You will need to download a karaoke version of this old school favourite at Amazon.com and rap out the lyrics as you teach them the verbs. Especially successful in the urban school I taught in as the students recognized the song their parents listened played at home. One of my students favourites!

Very detailed step by step on how to assemble your own pinata. Great for kids to work on at home for a cultural project.

Do you ever have students who ask you for names of animals? Or are your students getting ready to write a fairy tale using preterite/imperfect and have never learned the animals? Giant list grouped by category that you can print out and give to them so they can choose which animals get to star in their story.

These lyrics in a mix of Spanish and English introduce vocabulary for being sick. You will need to download the karaoke version of Run DMC's "You be Illin'" which is available on Amazon.com for .99 cents. Kids will enjoy singing along, especially now that cold season is in full swing. Very entertaining.

I use this as a reference card for students when we start Preterite VS Imperfect. It covers formation of the tense in regular and irregular forms with a few practice examples, then provides a list of "buzz" words to help students identify when to use imperfect, on the back there is a detailed use of reasons for usage of the imperfect with lots of examples so students can see the tense in context. I print it up on green card stock and give it out as a reference. My students tell me that they have saved these cards and used them again when they went to college! Very helpful.

This is a reference card on the formation of the present progressive tense. There are lots of examples and practices on the back for students to complete. It takes students step by step through the formation and use of the progressive tense.

Gives a brief explanation of verb pairs and a chart of many common helping verbs with their definitions. Following two pages of practice examples, first from Spanish to English and then production from English into Spanish. Good as in class practice, homework or remedial.

Something that students never seem to get nor get enough of, this packet provides students with easy to remember pneumonic acronyms for both verbs and examples of each. Followed by 100 short practice sentences covering every situation for Ser or Estar. Answers are also included so you dont have to do your homework!