Cafe Chronicles: Beans, Brews & Bilingual Stories!

10th Grade Project 4 weeks

Cafe Chronicles: Beans, Brews & Bilingual Stories!

Olga Alvarez

1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse students in the rich tapestry of Latin American culture through the lens of coffee. By engaging in research, creative collaboration, and community interaction, students will develop a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and economic significance of coffee in Latin American societies. This project aims to enhance students' Spanish language skills and cultural awareness while fostering creativity and teamwork as they produce a video presentation that captures the essence of coffee's role in Latin America.

Learning goals

Students will explore the cultural, historical, and economic significance of coffee in Latin American countries, enhancing their understanding of global cultural exchanges. They will develop Spanish language proficiency by researching, scripting, and presenting their findings in Spanish, focusing on vocabulary related to coffee culture. Through collaboration, students will refine their teamwork and communication skills, while engaging in creative multimedia production to effectively convey the cultural narratives surrounding coffee.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Products

Students will create a documentary-style video that delves into the journey of coffee from bean to cup, emphasizing its cultural significance and economic impact in Latin American countries. Additionally, they will develop short, creative skits in Spanish that depict traditional coffee rituals and stories from various Latin American cultures, performing them live at the 'Café Cultura Fiesta.' The final product will also include a creative video featuring traditional Latin American dance and music, showcasing cultural celebrations surrounding coffee, to be presented at the 'Café Conexión' event.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Brew & Bond' workshop at a local coffee shop, where students will immerse themselves in the art of traditional Latin American coffee brewing. During this hands-on experience, baristas will share personal anecdotes about coffee's cultural significance, setting the stage for students to explore the rich narratives and traditions surrounding coffee. This interactive launch will spark curiosity and provide a meaningful context for the students' video projects.

Exhibition

Host a 'Café Cultura Fiesta' where students present their videos in a vibrant festival atmosphere, featuring Latin American music, traditional coffee tastings, and cultural dance performances. Invite community members and local coffee shop partners to join the celebration, providing a platform for students to share their insights and engage in meaningful dialogue. Additionally, organize a 'Coffee Chronicles Premiere' night at a local theater, showcasing the videos on a big screen followed by a panel discussion with coffee experts and community leaders about the cultural impact of coffee in Latin America.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Questions - Introduce the project, discuss the essential questions around coffee culture and its significance in Latin America, and set expectations for the upcoming weeks. (15 min) Brew & Bond Workshop - Attend a local coffee shop workshop to learn traditional Latin American coffee brewing techniques and hear stories from baristas about coffee's cultural role. (30 min)	Cultural Coffee Canvas - Create visual collages representing the cultural and historical elements of coffee in Latin America, using art supplies and digital tools. (20 min) Group Formation and Brainstorming - Form project groups and brainstorm initial ideas for the video project, focusing on potential themes and narratives. (25 min)	Research Session - Begin researching the historical and cultural significance of coffee in selected Latin American countries, focusing on local customs and traditions. (30 min) Spanish Vocabulary Building - Practice vocabulary and phrases related to coffee culture through conversational exercises in Spanish. (15 min)	Storyboard Development - Collaborate in groups to develop a storyboard for the video presentation, mapping out key scenes and messages. (25 min) Peer Review of Storyboards - Exchange storyboards with another group and provide constructive feedback on clarity, cultural accuracy, and creativity. (20 min)	Scriptwriting Workshop - Begin drafting scripts for the video presentation in Spanish, focusing on dialogue and cultural storytelling. (30 min) Reflection Journal - Start a collaborative reflection journal to document research findings and group dynamics. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Collaborative group research notes on the historical and cultural significance of coffee in selected Latin American countries. 2. Individual Spanish vocabulary list related to coffee culture, with definitions and example sentences.
Preparation	1. Arrange a 'Brew & Bond' workshop at a local coffee shop, coordinating with baristas to share insights about traditional Latin American coffee brewing and culture. 2. Compile a list of resources, including books, articles, and videos, about coffee's cultural and economic impact in Latin America to support student research. 3. Prepare materials for the 'Cultural Coffee Canvas' activity, including art supplies and digital tools, to help students visually represent their initial research findings. 4. Set up collaborative online platforms (e.g., Google Docs, Padlet) for students to share and organize their research findings and vocabulary lists. 5. Coordinate with Spanish-speaking community members or organizations for potential feedback sessions later in the project.

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Activities	Research Deep Dive - Students conduct research on the historical and cultural significance of coffee in selected Latin American countries and document key findings in Spanish (45 min)	Cultural Storyboard Creation - In groups, students develop a storyboard for their video, outlining the cultural narratives and historical elements they plan to include (25 min) Spanish Vocabulary Workshop - Focus on expanding vocabulary related to coffee culture and practice conversational skills using newly learned terms (20 min)	Scriptwriting Session - Students collaboratively draft a script in Spanish for their video, ensuring cultural accuracy and narrative flow (30 min) Peer Review Roundtable - Groups exchange scripts and provide constructive feedback to enhance clarity and engagement (15 min)	Video Filming Techniques - A workshop on multimedia tools and techniques to effectively capture video content that communicates cultural stories (20 min) Initial Video Filming - Begin filming key scenes and interviews for the documentary-style video, focusing on cultural significance (25 min)	Mid-Project Feedback Session - Present preliminary video ideas to local coffee shop partners and receive feedback on cultural representation and storytelling (30 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Students document their progress, insights gained, and areas for improvement based on feedback (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed storyboard outlining the video structure and key scenes. 2. Draft script in Spanish for the video, incorporating research findings and cultural insights.
Preparation	1. Gather a list of credible resources and research materials related to coffee culture in Latin America for students to use. 2. Organize a virtual or in-person session with a Spanish-speaking community member who can provide insights on cultural storytelling techniques and language use. 3. Prepare storyboard templates and scriptwriting guides to assist students in structuring their work.

Week 3	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15
Activities	Video Filming Preparation - Organize equipment and review storyboards and scripts to ensure all elements are ready for filming. (20 min) Filming Session 1 - Begin filming key scenes for the video presentation, focusing on cultural narratives and language accuracy. (25 min)	Filming Session 2 - Continue filming additional scenes, ensuring to capture diverse cultural elements and traditions related to coffee. (30 min) Initial Editing Workshop - Start editing the filmed footage, focusing on sequence and coherence of the narrative. (15 min)	Editing Session - Refine the video by integrating transitions, music, and voiceovers to enhance storytelling and cultural representation. (30 min) Peer Feedback Roundtable - Share the draft video with peers for feedback on clarity, cultural accuracy, and creativity. (15 min)	Revision and Final Filming - Make necessary revisions based on peer feedback and film any missing scenes needed for the final video. (25 min) Language Accuracy Check - Review all Spanish language elements in the video for accuracy and appropriate usage. (20 min)	Final Editing and Polishing - Complete the final edits to ensure the video is cohesive, engaging, and culturally accurate. (30 min) Export and Backup - Export the final video and create a backup to ensure readiness for the upcoming exhibition. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed video storyboard and script in Spanish 2. Peer-reviewed script with incorporated revisions 3. Initial video footage with a plan for any additional scenes or reshoots
Preparation	1. Arrange for access to any necessary filming equipment, such as cameras and microphones. 2. Coordinate with local coffee shops or community partners for any needed props or settings. 3. Prepare feedback forms or digital platforms for script peer review sessions. 4. Ensure availability of Spanish language resources to aid in script accuracy. 5. Schedule time slots and locations for filming sessions, ensuring all groups have access.

Week 4	Day 16	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Activities	Final Review and Peer Evaluation - Conduct a peer evaluation session where groups present their video projects to classmates for final feedback on cultural representation and Spanish language usage. (25 min) Revision Workshop - Use feedback from peer evaluations to make last-minute revisions and improvements to the video projects. (20 min)	Practice Presentation - Groups rehearse their video presentations, focusing on clear communication, cultural nuances, and preparation for the Q&A session. (25 min) Language Proficiency Check - Conduct a final review of spoken and written Spanish elements in the video for fluency and correctness. (20 min)	Q&A Preparation - Prepare for the upcoming Q&A session by brainstorming potential questions and crafting responses about the cultural, historical, and economic aspects of coffee in Latin America. (30 min) Technical Rehearsal - Test all technical equipment and setup for the final exhibition to ensure seamless presentations. (15 min)	Café Cultura Fiesta Setup - Organize the venue for the 'Café Cultura Fiesta,' including arranging video viewing stations, cultural decorations, and coffee tasting stations. (20 min) Exhibition Dry Run - Conduct a full dry run of the exhibition, ensuring all elements are in place and running smoothly. (25 min)	Café Cultura Fiesta - Host the 'Café Cultura Fiesta,' where students present their videos in a festival setting with live performances and community participation. (30 min) Reflective Group Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the project experience, focusing on cultural understanding, collaboration, and personal growth throughout the project. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized documentary-style video in Spanish, showcasing the journey of coffee and its cultural significance. 2. Live performance of short skits depicting traditional coffee rituals and stories, presented during the 'Café Cultura Fiesta'. 3. Participation in the 'Café Cultura Fiesta', including a Q&A session with community members and local coffee shop partners.
Preparation	1. Ensure all video editing software and multimedia tools are available and functioning properly for final edits. 2. Coordinate with local coffee shop partners and community members to confirm their participation in the 'Café Cultura Fiesta'. 3. Prepare the event space for the 'Café Cultura Fiesta', including setting up audio-visual equipment for video presentations and organizing seating arrangements. 4. Gather materials for traditional coffee tastings and cultural dance performances, ensuring all participants have the necessary resources.