Throughout the year we searched for authentic (or semi-authentic) resources for each theme taught in Spanish 2 based on the current Wicomico County Spanish Curriculum. For each unit, we had a minimum of one journal entry to accompany a project or activity completed in class.
Working on this project gave us the opportunity to research current and relevant cultural topics so that we can further our personal knowledge of the target cultures. We have had personal study abroad experiences in a handful of countries but wanted to further our knowledge of countries with which we are not as familiar. Designing these journal prompts also encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones and create a variety of different styles of writing activities including e-mails, infographics, charts/graphs and free writes.
What worked?
-We learned a lot about current events and celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries and were able to pass this information on to our students. -We created a lot of relevant and interesting activities targeted towards our students. -We enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate on this project by creating the activities, comparing the students' results and reflecting on the overall process. -Students enjoyed a lot of the activities that we created to be done before the journals. Some students liked that they were able to draw in their journals. -More than in years past, we were able to help our students become more globally-aware citizens.
What can be changed?
- To increase student interest in the journals, we would like to being with a more interactive interpersonal activity. Our first activity was an informal e-mail response which made the journals seem like a more formal assignment rather than a creative opportunity. -Do more practice with incorporating transition words into their writing tasks. Give students a copy of some transition words and have them attach it to the front cover of their journal to reference throughout the year. Hopefully this will get them more comfortable using them. -Have students start the self-reflection at the start of the year (this was implemented about halfway through the year so they didn't have as much time to reflect on their growth). -We would have been much more successful with this project if we had had the opportunity to have common planning to work together during the school day.