Classroom Resource

Translation for Mama by Richard Blanco

Subject Area

World Languages

Grade(s)

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

This activity is useful for intermediate Spanish learners but can be very beneficial to heritage language learners as well.  The poem presented in the lesson is a bridge between two languages. Students whose native language is Spanish and who are English language learners will be able to experience the languages together in one poem. Students whose native language is not Spanish but is other than English will experience a model for writing from their own complex identities in two languages. The activity includes a detailed explanation of the lesson preparation as well as step-by-step instructions for guiding students through the activities and optional extensions. Students begin by writing about someone or something they miss. Intermediate-level Spanish students should write in Spanish. Students will then read and listen to the poem before participating in a group discussion that ties the poem to their original work.

World Languages (2017) Grade(s): 07-12 - World Languages

WL17.WL.L3.1

Exchange information on familiar topics with a variety of words, phrases, and simple sentences in a variety of time frames.

Unpacked Content

UP:WL17.WL.L3.1

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the target language vocab for specific purposes.
  • how to use verbs in a variety of time frames (present, preterit, imperfect, future, conditional.

Skills

Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • ask and answer questions related to school subjects
  • have a simple conversation on a variety of concrete topics
  • relate information using basic informal commands
  • construct verbs using formations that indicate past actions
  • interpret meaning of question words when used in conversation and respond appropriately participate in conversations on a number of familiar topics using simple sentence.
  • handle short social interactions in everyday situations.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • participate in a conversation on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences.
  • handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answreing a variety of questions.
  • usually say what they want to say about self and everyday life.

Understanding

Intermediate-Low Level Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Intermediate Mid Level studnets understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages (2017) Grade(s): 07-12 - World Languages

WL17.WL.L3.2

Interpret what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar topics in a variety of time frames.

Unpacked Content

UP:WL17.WL.L3.2

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes including:
    • question words.
    • dates, times.
    • schedules.
    • travel (airport).
    • accepting/rejecting an invitaiton.
    • likes & dislikes.
    • compliments.
    • descriptive words.
    • messages for greeting cards.
    • services being offered on a variety of sitionations.
    • interests and daily routines.
    • sports.
    • jobs.
    • weather.
  • vocabulary related to travel, (customs forms, hotel registrations, information on ID.
  • and can use verbs in a variety of time frames.

Skills

Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • understand and determine types of listening sources
  • understand location and time of an event.
  • understand announcements (arrival/departure info, due dates, time and date of messages).
  • understand questions and statements about daily routines, interests, scheudles)
  • understand what is asked for on a form or application.
  • understand basic information in a variety of contexts (weather forcasts, job postings, biographical data).
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • understand the main idea and details of advertisements and announcements and messages.
  • understand the main idea and details of literary and non-literary texts.
  • understand questions asked for surveys questionaires and forms across a variety of contexts.
  • understand basic information given in ads, labels, brochures, erc across a variety of contexts
  • understand the who, what, where, when, why & how of literary & non-literary texts.

Understanding

Intermediate-Low Level Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages (2017) Grade(s): 07-12 - World Languages

WL17.WL.L3.3

Present information on familiar topics in a variety of time frames using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

Unpacked Content

UP:WL17.WL.L3.3

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the target language Vocab for specific purposes.
  • verbs in a variety of time frames.

Skills

Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • write about and describe verbally appearance and personality traits, school workplace, famous place visted, holidays, vacations, typical celebrations, something learned and plans for future in a variety of time frames.
  • express needs and wants for school, work, or daily life in a variety of time frames.
  • give explanations.
  • give multi-step instructions.
  • describe plans for weekend, summer, holidays or vacations, and future.
  • describe what is needed for holiday or celebration.
  • write notes, outlines and drafts of presentations to be presented orally.
  • write about movies, television, influential figures, proverbs and simple poems.
  • create questions for discussion or reflection.
  • develop os simple questionnaire or survey.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • make presentations on something learned and/or future plans.
  • make a report on a social event attended.
  • describe childhood or past experiences.
  • write a short article and give a short presentaiton on a current event.
  • write about and present on a topic from an academic subject.
  • describe how to plan an event.
  • give short presentation on influential figures, cultural event or landmarks.
  • write and present about a favorite movie, song, play, book, etc and tell why I like it.
  • give presentation on historical figures or famous people and tell why they are important.
  • create a flyer.
  • compose a letter.

Understanding

Intermediate-Low Level
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Intermediate Mid Level Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages (2017) Grade(s): 07-12 - World Languages

WL17.WL.L3.5

Investigate perspectives through products of the target cultures.

Unpacked Content

UP:WL17.WL.L3.5

Knowledge

Students know:
  • a variety of the target language specific vocabulary.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of time frames.
  • to incorporate background knowledge of cultural products studied in earlier levels.

Skills

Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • utilize common target language cultural vocabulary to discuss paintings, songs, foods, etc.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • identify how a culture's beliefes and ideas are reflected in their products by describing the target culture's art, crafts, music, dance, etc..
  • analyze and clarify the purpose of the products from a target culture.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • language and culture are inextricably linked together.
  • a culture's perspectives will be reflected in their pracitces and products.
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages (2017) Grade(s): 07-12 - World Languages

WL17.WL.L3.7

Acquire information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture.

Unpacked Content

UP:WL17.WL.L3.7

Knowledge

Students know:
  • a variety of the target language specific vocabulary.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of time frames.
  • are familiar with current events and news across the world.
  • are familiar with the impact of marketing and how it reveals a target culture's perspectives.

Skills

Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • describe photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • ask simple questions about photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • identify the main idea and topic of online articles, videos, advertisements, announcements, and social media posts.
  • recognize target language perspectives on basic cultural topics such as families, holidays, food.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to find and analyze information on the diverse perspectives of the target culture and make comparisons with the diverse perspectives of their own culture.
  • use the target language to make comparison of current events and how they are reported.
  • use the target language to identify advertisements and compare them with target culture and students'own culture.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
Link to Resource
https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans/translation-mama-richard-blanco

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Edsitement
Accessibility
License

Approved Date

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