INTRODUCTION

Essential Question: What can we expect in our Spanish class? What is Spanish class all
about?

Rationale: The beginning of the year is an important time to establish classroom norms and to
give students the knowledge and skills that they will need to succeed for the rest of the term.
This will be done in steps, each intended to build key skills that will immediately boost their
confidence and comfort in using Spanish and build a strong foundation for the rest of the term.

At the conclusion of each section, students will complete a mini-project that will serve as a
creative marker of what they have learned, enable the teacher to assess what they have
learned, as well as form a part of a larger project that will be their final assessment at the end of
the unit, a “Welcome to Spanish Class” guide in Spanish. Students will also be assessed
formally, through the use of short quizzes each week and a test at the conclusion of the unit.

Proficiency goals: Students will be able to operate within the classroom as a Spanish-speaking
space and become comfortable with the sound, look and use of Spanish.

National Standards:
Standard 1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express
feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
Standard 4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through
comparisons between Spanish and English.
Standard 5.1 Students use Spanish both within and beyond the school setting.

Michigan Standards:
1.2.N.L.a Demonstrate understanding of oral classroom language in the target language
including directions, commands, and requests
1.2.N.R.a Demonstrate understanding of written classroom language in the target language
1.1.N.SL.a Use the target language with culturally appropriate gestures in everyday social
situations such as greeting, leave taking or introductions
1.1.N.SL.b Ask and answer basic questions about the weather, health/physical conditions, self,
family and friends
2.2.N.E.a Identify facilities, supplies, and materials needed for schooling and activities in a
community or culture in which the language is spoken
5.2.N.a Willingly use the target language within the classroom setting
UNIT WEB

Week I: What can I expect this class to look/sound/feel like?

Key concepts: This section will establish the classroom as a Spanish-speaking space and give
students the language that will help them to work within that space.

Language functions: Commands, memorized phrases useful for everyday classroom routines

Vocabulary: school vocabulary, classroom commands and common questions

Major activities: “About Spanish Class” mini-project

Materials: projector, various props to help convey meaning, display of classroom rules and
procedures

Week II: What makes Spanish, Spanish?

Key concepts: This section is designed to jumpstart students’ ability to speak and read Spanish,
and to give them some vocabulary that will help them to practice their skill.

Language functions: Basic phonetics, build vocabulary

Vocabulary: alphabet, pronunciation, question words, colors

Major activities: “About Spanish” mini-project

Materials: alphabet display, color display

Week III: How can I get to know my classmates in Spanish?

Key concepts: This section will begin building up students’ ability to communicate with each
other in TL including basic greetings, emotions, and descriptions.

Language functions: Asking/answering questions, descriptions

Vocabulary: question/answer words, physical descriptions and mood

Major activities: “About My Classmate” interview/mini-project

Materials: projector, interview question sentence frames