¡Hola errbody! As we near Thanksgiving break, I wanted to share the approach I take with my Spanish Classes regarding the holiday. I seek to come from a spirit of gratitude and empathy and less from teaching a traditional turkey and pilgrim-oriented vocabulary-based route. Kids having been making turkey arts-n-crafts since preschool, and I'm throwing ZERO shade on a good arts-n-craft activity that is also minds-on, because I love tactile learning experiences too. However, I do know that we need to intentionally design opportunities for students to develop their character and empathy skills that support learning objectives and build community too. ¿Por qué estás agradecido? This question NEVER GETS OLD!! I use it each and every year with my students from early elementary to high school. I also love using Flip(grid) for students to record themselves at home showing the people and the things they are thankful for and describing everything in the target language. Years ago, I created a 5-Day Mini Unit that I use leading up to Thanksgiving Break and I've been using the same framework, tweaking it here and there to meet the students I serve. This is definitely a throwback resource BUT it is a great way to increase students' communication and reading skills while further developing their character and building community at the same time. Click HERE to view/download the free, 5-Day Aprecia lo que Tienes Mini-Unit.

¡Hola errbody! Espero que se encuentren bien. As we near El Día de los Muertos, I wanted to share the approach that I take in teaching my students about the holiday. A major component of cultural responsiveness is intentionally designing and facilitating learning experiences that support students in making authentic connections with content. In addition to teaching Day of the Dead-themed vocabulary, sharing cultural perspectives, watching videos, reading articles, making arts-n-crafts and then of course sampling pan de muerto, I like to invite my students to make a personal connection with the root of the holiday - which is honoring our loved ones who are no longer with us. So after doing the aforementioned activities, here's the flow of learning for connection & community: Share a personal example of someone important from your own family who is deceased. Also share an example of historical figure that you respect or connect with that is deceased, and why that person matters to you years/decades/centuries later. Ask students to think of a loved one who has passed away or a famous, historical person (i.e. Malcolm X or Selena Quintanilla Pérez), that they would like to honor for the holiday. Next, inform students that they will write a paragraph about the deceased person that they want to celebrate for the holiday and will decorate una calavera in their honor (download resource worksheets below). Distribute the Paragraph Starter Sheet (included in download) and provide students with an exemplar, and model for students your expectations for their paragraphs. Students can write their dedications in English or in Spanish, based on their ability level. Once students have finished, have them clear off their desks and only leave their written paragraphs and their decorated calaveras. Distribute the Gallery Walk Worksheet (included in download). Explain the task and monitor students as they complete the activity. If time permits, students can share with the large group which calaveras and/or paragraphs stood out to them the most and why. As an optional, extension activity, invite students to bring in pictures and small, items in remembrance of the one they have chosen to honor to be added to the community ofrenda, which will be displayed on a bulletin board inside or outside of your classroom. Coordinate with your grade level administrator or supervisor to schedule a collective time for collective remembrance during a specific class period, and allow students and staff members to read their paragraphs aloud. This is such a powerful, community building activity for the whole school community! I can't wait for you and your students to experience it together! CLICK HERE TO VIEW/DOWLOAD THE DAY OF THE DEAD COMMUNITY OFRENDA RESOURCE WORKSHEETS FOR FREE!