El mundo Hispano: A Curriculum Plan and Teaching Guide
Introduction
This web curriculum is designed to give Spanish high school teachers and students in Georgia a tool to use to address Georgia Performance Standard MLI.CCC1, “The students use information acquired in the study of the target language and information acquired in other subject areas to reinforce one another”. The curriculum web focuses on the question, “How can I connect what I have learned in other subjects to enhance my knowledge of the Spanish Language and Hispanic culture?
Curriculum Standards
MLI.CCC1 The students use information acquired in the study of the target language and information acquired in other subject areas to reinforce one another.
The students:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of geographical locations and identify major countries, cities, and geographical features of the places where the target language is spoken.
B. Apply previously learned skills from other subjects, when appropriate to demonstrate knowledge in the target language (e.g. using basic math skills).
C. Identify examples of vocabulary, phrases, proverbs, and symbols from the target language that are used in other subjects.
D. Relate content from other subject areas to topics discussed in the language class, such as the influence of explorers and settlers on various regions of the United States.
Aim/Purpose Statement
This curriculum web is designed to help High School Spanish Students in a Spanish one class connect skills and knowledge they have learned in other subject areas and apply them to the study of Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
“To have another language is to possess another soul.” Charlemagne
Modern technology has influenced our world in ways no one could have imagined 40 years ago. With the use of the internet in our daily lives, all parts of the world are becoming more accessible and connected. Learning a foreign language helps students gain a knowledge of the world they live in, become more marketable, and it can even help students improve important test scores like SATs! Learning a foreign may also allow students opportunities they wouldn't have had otherwise to travel or study in other countries. Students who study a foreign language can also use that language in the study of other subjects.
By connecting foreign language to other subjects, students will learn how studying a foreign language can help them improve their scholastic abilities. In addition, students can learn about the world they live in, because as they move out of school and into the workforce, they will be able to use their knowledge of Spanish Language and culture to travel, conduct business, or simply connect with new groups of people.
General Educational Goals
This curriculum web is designed by a High School Spanish Teacher, who teaches grades 9-12 in Georgia. The course it is developed for is Spanish One.
The official course description for Spanish I:
Spanish I introduces the Spanish language; emphasizes listening, speaking, reading and writing skills; covers how to greet and take leave of someone, to ask and respond to basic questions, to speak and read within a range of carefully selected topics and to develop an understanding of Spanish culture.
This curriculum web will address a specific Level I standard for Modern languages in Georgia.
It will:
a) provide opportunities to show individual students' creativity
b) familiarize students with vocabulary and grammar structures used when traveling in Spanish speaking countries
c) give students opportunities to practice for real world experiences, such as traveling to another country, or exchanging money to a different currency.
d) familiarize students with geographical features and locations of Spanish speaking countries.
It is my belief that everyone can benefit from learning a foreign language. Studying other languages opens worlds up to students, and gives students the opportunity to become familiar with how others live around the world. When you learn about other cultures, it helps to examine the one you live in as well.
Subject Matter Description
The web curriculum will be a subject matter curriculum that focuses on the question; How can I connect what I have learned in other subjects to enhance my knowledge of the Spanish Language and Hispanic culture? The major topics in this web curriculum will be: Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, and Science. The subtopics in the web curriculum will be: Social Studies-geography, culture; Language Arts-grammar, literature; Math- currency and exchange rates, systems of measurement; Science-the Environment and Ecology.
Learner Description
The activities in this web are designed for High School students in grades 9-12, ages 14-18. The students have been studying Spanish for approximately 12 weeks, and are in a first level Spanish I class. Most of the students had no experience with learning another language before this class. The majority of students in the class are motivated to learn Spanish, however some are reluctant and are taking the course simply to fulfill the language requirement for graduation. All students are familiar with using a computer, internet, and Microsoft office suite.
Prerequisites
Before the students begin this web curriculum, they will know: how to look at and read a map, how to read and write, how to identify parts of a sentence in Spanish, how to read and comprehend brief passages in Spanish, how to count, how to use a ruler, how to preform basic research using the internet, and how to use a word processor.
The majority of the students will be motivated to learn and use Spanish. Students are capable of working independently or with small groups. Students will have to monitor their time and manage projects individually, with the teacher providing incentives built into the task grades to encourage students to stay on task and to ensure students produce a quality final product. If any particular student does not have any of the aforementioned skills, accommodations such as working individually, giving extra time, individual tutoring, or others will be provided as necessary.
Learning Objectives
Identify the geographical locations of different regions and countries of South America, as well as countries of Central America, Mexico, and Spain.
Explore cultures of various Spanish Speaking Countries.
Explore classical literature from Spain and South America.
Understand differences in currency.
Discuss exchange rates and how they work.
Explore the metric system vs the standard system of measurement
Use the web to conduct research and complete activities.
Use the computer to create visuals for presentations.
Discuss various habitats and wildlife in Spanish Speaking countries. Specifically, explore the wide variations of habitat and climate in Spanish speaking countries.
Materials
Computers
Printers
Software (MS Office Suite)
access to the internet
paper
pencils
texts
readings about countries (on web or from text)
vocabulary lists
notes/skills needed to perform skits (grammar elements)
interactive games to practice country locations and capitals (on web)
poster board (possibly)
markers, crayons, various art supplies
quizzes/assessments
Evaluation Plan
To evaluate this curriculum web, I am going to field test the site with an entire class of Spanish I students in the Fall of 2010. At the end of the unit, students will fill out a survey asking about the effectiveness and activities in the curriculum web. Results will be compiled by teacher and used to guide revisions and updates in the curriculum web.
In addition to student evaluation, 2 Spanish teachers from Walton County will also evaluate the curriculum web using the heuristics checklist created by the website designer.
Contact Information
Angela.Pieniaszek@walton.k12.ga.us
El Mundo Hispano Homepage