Classroom Resources

This novice mid to novice high French activity allows students to gather information from four different heritage French speakers: Franck, J-C, Stephanie, and Virginie. Students are asked to gather information as the speakers describe what he or she likes to watch on TV, listen to on the radio, and surf online. Students gather their information on a prepared printable worksheet. The links to the interviews used in this activity are posted in the comment section below. Each video provides optional French and English transcripts.

Key grammar points in these audio clips include: LIkes and Dislikes, Present Tense

This novice high to intermediate low French activity allows students to gather information from four different heritage French speakers: Franck, J-C, Stephanie, and Virginie. Students are asked to gather information as the speakers describe their health, clothing style, and past times/hobbies. Speakers use phrases like 'should' rather than direct commands when describing how to have a healthy lifestyle. This activity is split into three different audio sections that can be used as a group or separately.  There is also a list of French questions to aid in interpersonal conversations as students discuss the information they interpreted from the video. The links to the interviews used in this activity are posted in the comment section below. Each video provides optional French and English transcripts.

This novice high to intermediate low French activity allows students to gather information from four different heritage French speakers: Franck, J-C, Stephanie, and Virginie. Students are asked to gather information as the speakers describe life in high school and college and discuss what they studied. This activity is split into four different audio sections that can be used as a group or separately.  There is also a list of French questions to aid in interpersonal conversations as students discuss the cultural information they learned. This lesson also asks students to compare differences between life on university campuses in the US to life on campuses in France. The links to the interviews used in this activity are posted in the comment section below. Each video provides optional French and English transcripts.

Key grammar points in these audio clips include past tense.

This novice high to intermediate low French activity allows students to gather information from four different heritage French speakers: Franck, J-C, Stephanie, and Virginie. Students are asked to gather information as the speakers describe what they will do this summer (future), how long they have been somewhere, what their job is like, and their opinions on various careers.  This activity is split into four different audio sections that can be used as a group or separately.  There is also a list of French questions to aid in interpersonal conversations as students discuss the information they interpreted from the video. The links to the interviews used in this activity are posted in the comment section below. Each video provides optional French and English transcripts.

Key grammar points covered in these activities include future tense and past tense.

This paired French activity guides novice high to intermediate low students through an interpersonal conversation about careers. Using the provided checklist, one partner interviews the other about his career preferences. Then, using a target language website, each student researches the top two careers chosen by their partner. Students finally choose the job they feel is best for their partner and give a verbal presentation to the class explaining why they selected a specific job for their classmate.

This novice high to intermediate mid-French activity allows students to gather information from four different heritage French speakers: Franck, J-C, Stephanie, and Virginie. Students are asked to gather information as the speakers describe their future using the future and conditional tenses. This activity is split into two different audio sections that can be used as a group or separately. There are also French questions to aid in interpersonal conversations as students discuss their future plans. The links to the interviews used in this activity are posted in the comment section below. Each video provides optional French and English transcripts.

Key grammar points in these audio clips include: Future Tense, Conditional Tense

This is an intermediate low to intermediate mid reading and listening activity that introduces students to Inca Kola, a popular soda beverage in Peru. The linked article includes 5 multiple choice comprehension questions to check for understanding. Students are then asked to watch 4 different Inca Kola commercials and prepare answers to provided questions. This activity is set up to be completed for homework but can be completed within the classroom if desired.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to Evo Morales, Bolivia's first elected president of indigenous decent. Students will gather information from two different resources (print and audio) before answering a series of comprehension questions to check for comprehension. Afterward, students watch an interview with Evo Morales to gain an understanding of the challenges he faced as a political leader with an indigenous background. The provided questions can be addressed in writing or classroom discussions using the target language.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity challenges students to consider what commercialization is doing to historically cultural sites throughout South America. Students start by reading a short article and watching a video about Machu Picchu and UNESCO's attempt to help preserve the important cultural area. Comprehension questions are provided so that students can check their understanding of the resources. Students are then asked to work in groups to research another city or monument that is in danger of commercialization. They then write a paragraph about the resources available to help limit the negative effects of tourism at these locations.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to two influential women in South America. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, president of Argentina, y Michelle Bachelet, president of Chile, brought their two countries together under the Treay of Maupí. Students will read about each of these important ladies and then answer comprehension questions to check for understanding. They will then read a little about the treaty and the significance of the artwork the presidents chose to stand in front of when signing the treaty. Students will then compare and contrast each leader as they respond to a series of provided discussion questions. An additional activity encourages research on other issues faced by these two countries.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to the Guaraní people group in Paraguay. The Guaraní have their own language, separate from Spanish, and are struggling to preserve this language. Students start this activity by reading about the Guaraní and their language as well as the language challenges that are present in the current day. Students then respond to a series of comprehension questions to check for understanding. The next steps encourage students to research more about the Guaraní on their own and offer a video to show students how the language differs from Spanish. Finally, students are asked to compare the challenges faced by the Guaraní with those of indigenous groups in the US such as the Navajo or Cherokee.

This intermediate low to intermediate-high activity focuses on the controversy surrounding artistic expression and graffiti. Students start by reading an article about the controversy in Colombia and then check their comprehension with a series of multiple-choice questions. Within the article, difficult words are highlighted in blue. If a student places the cursor over these words they will see a definition to assist them.  Afterward, students watch a short video clip about Stinkfish, a known graffiti artist from Colombia, and respond to a series of reflection questions in writing or in a group discussion. Students then work individually or in groups to research other graffiti artists in Colombia before sharing their findings with the class. Finally, students make comparisons between the themes of their researched artist and the themes noted in graffiti throughout the United States.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high activity introduces students to the science and technology behind the Panama Canal. Students watch two target language videos that overview the importance of the canal and then they complete a series of comprehension questions to check for understanding. Students then complete an activity that challenges them to look at how the canal has affected the environment around it. Students discuss the ecological footprint left by the canal and discuss initiatives toward ecological transportation.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish lesson introduces students to the idea of ecoturismo, specifically focusing on Costa Rica. Students start by watching two short videos that overview the topic (in the target language) and then students respond to a series of multiple-choice comprehension questions to see how well they understood the videos. Students are then asked to work in groups as they research various eco-tours offered throughout Costa Rica and report back to their classmates.

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity walks students through an exploration of educational systems in Central America. The countries covered include Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Students start by watching a short news report in the target language about the challenges that face education in Guatemala. Afterward, they answer a series of comprehension questions to see how well they understood the report. Students are then broken into groups and each group researches the educational systems in different countries. The UNICEF website (Spanish version) is one of the resources used in this step because it provides many of the requested statistics. Finally, students participate in a class discussion as they use guided questions to discuss the information gathered in their research. 

This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to multicultural fashion as well as the controversies that have evolved as designers incorporate indigenous designs into their work. Students start by reading a target language article and answering a series of comprehension questions to check their comprehension. Students then weigh in on the presented controversy by sharing their ideas to provided discussion questions. Students then compare this presented situation to other similar situations within their own culture in which large corporations have taken advantage of indigenous cultures.

This intermediate low to intermediate-high Spanish language activity centers around El Corte Inglés, one of the most popular department stores in Spain. This activity includes a series of target language articles for students to read as well as comprehension questions to check their understanding of the articles. Students are then given links to several commercials produced by Cortes Inglés and they are asked to identify items in the videos and discuss how the commercials have changed over time. Several extension activities are also included: One asks students to examine a timeline and describe events using the preterit and imperfect. Another introduces students to Pipol in da house - a series of 2-3 minute episodes produced by Corte Inglés featuring a college-aged cast wearing outfits from the store.

This novice high to intermediate low Spanish activity introduces students to foods from Spain. Students start by reading a target language article and answering a series of multiple-choice comprehension questions to check for comprehension. Afterward, students are asked to watch a series of target language videos, each introducing students to a dish that is unique to Spain. Students are asked to select one dish to focus on as they create a presentation for the class. During the presentation, they introduce the dish, where in Spain it is from, the ingredients, and how to prepare the dish. If students are familiar with commands then this activity would allow them to review this grammar topic while using commands in context to explain how to prepare the chosen dish.

This novice high to intermediate low Spanish activity introduces students to the various regions that make up the country of Spain. Students start by reading an article online and then answering a series of multiple-choice comprehension questions. Students are then directed to an interactive map where they are asked to locate specific information regarding key cities, foods, and weather information. Students can check their work as they complete the provided questions online.

Students will use watercolors to paint straight and curved lines. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

Students will identify curved and straight lines in letters.  They will use straight and curved lines to draw letters in their artwork. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

Students will create straight, curved, and zigzag lines using a variety of materials.  They will describe the art they are creating. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

Students will identify basic straight-sided shapes like rectangle, triangle, and square.  They will cut straight-sided shapes and use them to make a collage.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.    

When we think about the ways in which our world is connected, systems of global trade, international travel, or economics come to mind. But as pandemics like COVID-19 or the Spanish Flu have taught us, public health is one of the most critical aspects of our reliance on each other.

Students will use descriptive words that match textures in a mystery box.  They will describe textures in the school environment and artwork.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

The purpose of this lesson plan is to help students synthesize their global health knowledge through visual representation. Students will create a piece of artwork through an iterative process that reflects their personal understanding of global health and participate in a facilitated discussion to reflect on the broader implications of the artwork. Using art to facilitate discussion allows students to process the class material by exploring their personal connections with the complex concepts.

Students will make imprints in a clay tile using a variety of textures.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will identify primary colors on a color wheel.  They will select red, yellow, and blue from a box of oil pastels.  They will paint a picture of a room in their house.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will mix two primary colors to create a secondary color. They will create a pattern of shapes and make a monoprint.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will identify horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines in art and buildings.  They will use these lines to draw buildings.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

Students will use a variety of textiles (cord, ribbon, string) to create a collage using vertical and horizontal lines. They will measure the lines and balance the number and spacing of vertical and horizontal lines.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will use thick and thin lines to draw natural objects.  They will describe the organic/biomorphic elements of each object.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will identify geometric and organic shapes. They will draw an organic shape and then draw a building around it using geometric shapes. Fill the geometric shapes with oil pastels, leaving the organic shape empty.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

Students will identify textures in art.  They will make rubbings of five different textures.  Students will display their art and classmates will identify the surface of the rubbing. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

Students will identify primary and secondary colors.  They will mix secondary colors and use them to paint dabs and strokes to create art.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.