In this 15 weeks Spanish 4 immersion class, students will learn new vocabulary by reading TWO comprehensible novels La Vida y Muerte AND La Calaca Alegre.  Through reading, class discussion and games students will increase their vocabulary and reading/speaking proficiency while gaining confidence in the target language.  Students meet for 45 minutes a week to interact and play traditional games and activities to reinforce class content. This is a 90% immersion class. I will give instructions and explanations in English, for the benefit of your child.  However, most of the class will be in Spanish. 
Students will learn how to form verbs in the subjunctive, conditional and future verb tenses. 

I use Google Slides to teach this unit.  I teach with a focus on immersion with 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 short stories 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.  

The focus will be on developing skills in the areas of listening, speaking and reading. Class novels and games/activities will be used to expose students to the target language. Please note that it is important for your child to be willing to repeat the Spanish words during class, and practice saying them with me in the lessons.

Class Novel 1- Vida Y Muerte

This compelling drama recounts life (and death) in one of the most violent and well-known gangs in Los Angeles, La Mara Salvatrucha. Joining MS-13 brings certain gang-related responsibilities, but being born into La Salvatrucha requires much more. Sometimes it even requires your life! This is a gripping story of one gang member’s struggle to find freedom. Note: “Although this is not a true story, it is inspired by true events. It neither glorifies gang life nor promotes it. On the contrary, it paints a realistic picture of the pain, suffering and stress that gang life naturally causes and compels the reader to consider the human condition as it relates to our need for love, friendship, belonging and forgiveness.
This Comprehension-based™ reader, ‘Vida y muerte en la Mara Salvatrucha’, strategically weaves high-level language structures into a compelling story, based on high-frequency vocabulary. Even upper level language students need repeated exposure to language structures in order to acquire them, and Fluency Matters’ intermediate readers maintain a high frequency factor of high-level language structures, thus helping learners progress beyond typical proficiency levels. But do not focus on language structures or the advanced grammatical features embedded in this story. Rather, focus on enjoying 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!

Week 1 - Read and discuss chapters 1-2 of Vida y Muerte
Week 4 -Read and discuss chapters 3-4 of of Vida y Muerte
Week 5 Read and discuss chapters 5-6 of Vida y Muerte
Week  6 - Read and discuss chapters 7-8 of Vida y Muerte
Week 7 Read and discuss chapter 9-10 of Vida y Muerte
Week 8 Read and discuss chapters 11-12 of Vida y Muerte
Week  9- Read and discuss chapters 13-14 of Vida y Muerte
Week 10 Read and discuss chapter 15-16 of Vida y Muerte

Class Novel 2- La Calaca Alegre
Does Carlos really suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or are his strange sensations and life-like nightmares much more real than anyone, including Carlos, believes? Determined to solve the mystery of his mother’s disappearance, Carlos decides to return to Chicago to face his fears and find his mother, even if it means living out his nightmares in real life. As he uncovers the mystery, he discovers the truth is much more complex and evil than he ever imagined.

This Comprehension-based™ reader, ‘La Calaca Alegre’, strategically weaves high-level language structures into a compelling story, based on high-frequency vocabulary. Even upper-level language students need repeated exposure to language structures in order to acquire them, and Wayside's intermediate readers maintain a high frequency factor of high-level language structures, thus helping learners progress beyond typical proficiency levels.

Class 11- Read chapters 1-2 of Calaca Alegre and answer comprehension questions.
Class12-Read chapters 3-4 of Calaca Alegre and answer comprehension questions.
Class 13- Read chapters 5-6 of Calaca Alegre and answer comprehension questions.
Class 14-- Read chapters 7-8  of Calaca Alegre and answer comprehension questions.
Class 15-- Read chapters 9-10 of Calaca Alegre and answer comprehension questions.