Year 1 Spanish Immersion-Learn Through Reading A Novel (Brandon Wants a Dog), Discussion and Interactive Games and Activities!
In this SIX week Spanish immersion class, students will learn new vocabulary by reading a comprehensible novel called Brandon Brown Wants A Dog (Brandon Brown Quiere Un Perro). Through reading, class discussion and games students will increase their vocabulary and reading/speaking proficiency while gaining confidence in the target language. Some previous exposure to Spanish is recommended.
What's included
6 live meetings
4 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Optional vocabulary worksheets and quizlet links will be provided.Class Experience
Class Experience I use Google Slides to teach this unit. Students should have some previous knowledge of Spanish to join this class (one semester of Spanish is recommended). I teach with a focus on Comprehensible Input and not grammar since that is not how language is naturally acquired. Comprehensible input Spanish readers are a game changer in the classroom. Leveled readers in Spanish tell captivating stories and incorporate repetition of high-frequency language making them an extremely effective way to engage students. We will read a novel entirely in Spanish, have discussions in Spanish and play games/activities to expose students to the target language. Some fun traditional games that we will play are Tic-Tac-Toe, Connect 4, Sorry, Snakes and Ladders and Pictionary. The focus will be on developing skills in the areas of listening, speaking and reading. Many people are new to Comprehensible Input, so let’s start with a general question. Why is reading important in the CI classroom? How does it complement the input students get listening? Reading is essential to growth in proficiency. It allows students to process the language with their eyes at their own pace. They can change speeds, read a passage multiple times and more easily decipher meaning of unknown words. It also allows teachers to vary the delivery of input. Students need to hear many different voices in the target language. As they read, the input comes from the voices in their heads. Reading invites us to create pictures in our imaginations. Doing so forces students to engage with language in a new way. It also exposes students to the flow of natural language and many current and historical cultural themes. Brandon Brown really wants a dog, but his mother is not quite so sure. A dog is a big responsibility for any age, much less a soon-to-be 9-year-old. Determined to get a dog, Brandon will do almost anything to get one, but will he do everything it takes to keep one…a secret? The exceptionally low unique word count and high frequency factor (the number of times core structures are embedded in the text) in the Comprehension-based™ reader, ‘Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (Brandon Wants a Dog), make this an ideal read for very beginning Spanish students. Each page is loaded with cognates (words that are similar in English and Spanish), recycled vocabulary, and illustrations, which makes this read highly comprehensible. Enjoy the story! The more you enjoy it, the more you will acquire Spanish without even realizing it! We hope you enjoy reading your way to FLUENCY! These will be our weekly focuses: Session 1 - Read chapter 1 & 2 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. Session 2 - Read chapter 3 & 4 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. Session 3 - Read chapter 5 &6 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. Session 4 - Read chapter 7 & 8 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. Session 5 - Read chapter 9 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. Session 6- Read chapter 10 of Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro (English Title- Brandon Brown Wants A Dog) and answer comprehension questions based on the story. End class with fun and interactive games to review the book. Looking forward to helping you improve your Spanish skills!
Learning Goals
Students will acquire the Spanish language naturally while having fun reading a novel, class discussions and playing traditional games to reinforce vocabulary.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Google Slides/Screen sharing- Class will be delivered using Google presentations and screen sharing.
Quizlet I will assign optional flashcard activities
Youtube- I use this platform to share educational videos via screen sharing.
Supply List
The novel is called Brandon Brown Quiere Un Perro (Brandon Brown Wants A Dog). Book can be purchased at Wayside Publishing if you would like your own copy. I will provide reading materials during class.
Language of Instruction
Spanish
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been a certified Spanish teacher for the past 24 years. I have a masters in education. I lived and studied in Spain for several years so I have a true Spanish accent (castellano). I have attended CI (comprehensible Input) conferences and implement the CI teaching strategy into my lessons.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
45 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
2-8 learners per class