Spanish Mini-Lessons

		SPANISH MINI-LESSONS ANIMALS---LOS ANIMALES WEATHER AND SEASONS----EL TIEMPO Y LAS ESTACIONES FOOD---LA COMIDA
		The Task \| Questions \| Resources \| Culminating Question \| Project \| Assessment Task The goal of the Spanish Mini-Lessons is the sharing of languages between Anglo and Hispanic students while acquiring academic knowledge. Students not only learn the vocabulary for the lessons in both Spanish and English, but present their projects in both languages as well. After the basic vocabulary has been presented in both languages, students work on researching the topic together. While the goal originally behind the Spanish Mini-Lesssons was for Anglo students to learn Spanish, the creator of the program discovered after teaching the mini-lessons for a year,that her Hispanic students made great gains in English as a result of the mini-lessons. Activity Questions ANIMALS--- Learn the Spanish and English words for your animal, its characterisitcs, its habitat, and its food source. What characteristics does your animal have? Describe the habitat of your animal. What does your animal eat? What is the most interesting fact about your animal? Make a colorful drawing of your animal. WEATHER AND SEASONS--- Learn the Spanish and English words for the common weather types, the months and the seasons. Categorize the twelve months into the appropriate seasons. Describe which types of weather occur in the four seasons. Make a poster which shows the following: the twelve months categorized in the four sesaons, the weather expressions associated with each season, and colorful drawings illustrating the weather types. The poster must be done in both English and Spanish. FOOD ----- Learn the words in English and Spanish for various foods. What are some foods native to Spanish speaking countries? Describe them. What are the four food groups, and which foods are in each? What are some examples of healthy, nutritious meals? Make a poster together with colorful drawings which illustrates a healthy, well-balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Use both Spanish and English. Resources Virtual Library Animal Tracks by Arthur Dorros, 1991 CULMINATING PROJECT The Spanish Mini-Lessons have a culminating project rather than a culminating question. In each lesson, Anglo and Hispanic students work together on a bilingual project with artwork, and then present their projects to the class in both languages. Project Activity in MediaSpace Assessment Make sure to state the rubric which will be used for assessment. Students should know up front what is required for credit.
		1. Are the students able to produce the vocabulary without much help from their partners? 1 2 3 4 5
		2. Do the students pronounce the words correctly and speak loud enough to be heard? 1 2 3 4 5
		3. Does their projects reflect time spent on it? Is it accurate? Is it appealing? 1 2 3 4 5
		4. Do the students work well together? Do they help and encourage each other? 1 2 3 4 5
		5. Do the students put forth effort? Are they really trying to do well? 1 2 3 4 5



		MINDY KARON		North Shore School District 112