Spanish Pals: Bridging Borders by

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-10 14:39:19 UTC

· 1. Go to penpalschool.com

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-10 15:11:48 UTC

· 2. Register with the class code aPQg0I

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-10 15:15:02 UTC

· 3. Wait until you’re matched with a penpal!

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-10 15:15:28 UTC

Para empezar!

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-13 17:15:56 UTC

Standards:

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-13 17:16:39 UTC

7.1.NM.A.1
Recognize familiar spoken or written words and phrases contained in culturally authentic materials using electronic information and other sources related to targeted themes.

7.1.NM.A.5 Demonstrate comprehension of brief oral and written messages using age- and level-appropriate, culturally authentic materials on familiar topics.

7.1.NM.B.4
Ask and respond to simple questions, make requests, and express preferences using memorized words and phrases.

References:

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-13 17:23:48 UTC

http://www.wordreference.com

-Look up any new or unfamiliar vocabulary words!

http://www.wordreference.com/conj/EsVerbs.aspx

-Use this tool if you need help with verb conjugations!

http://forum.wordreference.com

-Have a question for a native speaker? Ask here in a spanish-english forum.

Unit Goals:

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-16 15:07:47 UTC

-Practice conversational spanish with a native speaker

-Note and look up all new vocab words

-Make a table with all new substantivos, verbos, y adjetivos to share in class

-Write sentences using new vocab words to share in class

-Identify common frustrations in your conversations

-Make a chart of present tense conjugations for any new verbs you learn

Essential Questions:

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-16 15:07:57 UTC

· How can I increase fluency?

· How can I figure out meaning using context clues?

· How can I communicate my point when I forget important vocabulary?

· How does casual conversation differ from classroom learning?

· What do I need to practice?

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:41:29 UTC

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:46:40 UTC

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:46:59 UTC

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:47:15 UTC

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:47:22 UTC

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 13:51:57 UTC

Memory Tools!
Repetition works
Repeat what your pen pal says out loud
Write it down!
writing down and looking up hard words will help you remember their meanings
Teach us!
teach your classmates your newly acquired vocabulary
Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Different Language/Different Culture

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 14:04:35 UTC

-what have you learned about your pen pal's culture?

-how does your every day life differ from theirs?

jennaemiliani — 2015-11-23 14:07:00 UTC

Science around the World

ijadamiec — 2015-11-23 14:38:49 UTC

Lets get the science conversation going! What are other doing around the world?

Iwona Jadamiec

Lets take Spanish one step further by adding science to the mix! Having students find pen pals to further their skills is a great idea! Since every country teaches science in a different way, It would be a great activity to have students discuss science classroom experiances with others around the world. Spanish411.net is a great website to expose students to basic math and science vocabulary to help them get their conversation stared!

Not sure What a Word means? Use the Google Translator! : added by Chelsea Russo

chelseamorganrusso — 2015-11-30 03:03:54 UTC

This translation service provided by google will assist students in their efforts to practice coversational Spanish with their native Spanish speaking Pen Pals. Because google is a very user friendly browser that most students are likely already familiar with, a visit to this webpage can provide students with a more efficient means of translating unknown Spanish words into words that they can easily make sense of in English; the service will make it possible for students to respond to their pen-pals much faster than if they were to perhaps utilize a Spanish-English dictionary to do so!

Sports in Spanish speaking Countries

msoricelli19 — 2015-12-01 19:47:11 UTC

During your penpal exchange maybe one topic of conversation could be about the types of sports that they play or watch. Using words that you may already know or are learning you can learn about new sports and activities!

Do they like Futbol more than Football?

Do they play sports that maybe you would want to try?

Who is their favorite player?

If your penpal likes sports translate these questions and any others that you may have to find out more about them and their culture!

Use this site if you need more help with certain sport related words!

(Michelle Soricelli)

What is happening in their pen pal's home country? (added by Meg Ohlsen)

meg_ohlsen — 2015-12-04 11:22:17 UTC

A great way to incorporate Social Studies into a language classroom is by talking about what is happening in the countries the language is native to. Of course this can sometime get boring right? How about asking your pen pal specific questions about their country. When can they vote? When can they drive? What kind of leader do they have? All of these questions engage the topics they will be learning in their social studies classroom while also using their Spanish skills and their pen pal as a primary research tool!

A great way to put all their research together would be in a Powtoon. It can be a a short video that provides short facts about the things they learn. They can make sure the presentation is entirely in Spanish too so they continue practicing their new language skills!

http://www.powtoon.com/

Reinforcement using Duolingo!

2015-12-04 14:45:43 UTC

For extra credit students can download the Duolingo app and complete a certain amount of levels before they earn extra credit. This not only gives the student an added bonus for class grades but also helps reinforce conversational Spanish words. The repetition provided in this app is also something that is very resourceful. Once they complete the levels they can print their progress!

(Sejal Rana)

Spanish through Music!

chancoapryl — 2015-12-05 22:37:15 UTC

(Apryl Chanco)

Below is a fun and catchy Spanish song that uses music and a video to demonstrate verb and noun usage.

Tell your Pen Pal about your Hobbies!

2015-12-09 04:49:15 UTC

Tell your Pen Pal about all the things you like to do in your free time! Take a look at the following vocab list of hobbies to help get you started! (Gabrielle Kim)