11th Grade
Project
4 weeks
Spanish Scrapbook: Journey Through My Childhood
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Purpose
The project aims to deepen students' understanding and use of the past tense in Spanish by engaging them in a creative exploration of their childhood memories. Through the creation of digital scrapbooks and short films, students will narratively and visually express their past experiences with family, school, and activities. This project fosters linguistic skills and cultural reflection, encouraging students to connect personally with the language while developing storytelling abilities.
Learning goals
Students will develop their ability to use the past tense in Spanish to vividly describe personal childhood experiences. They will expand their vocabulary related to family, school, clothing, and activities, applying it in both written and spoken formats. Additionally, students will enhance their cultural understanding by reflecting on childhood memories and sharing them through creative digital mediums.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
- ACTFL - Interpretive Communication: Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
Products
Students will create a digital scrapbook in Spanish, incorporating photos, drawings, and written descriptions of their childhood memories using the past tense. They will also produce a short film or video diary in Spanish, narrating their childhood experiences and showcasing family, school, and activities. These products will allow students to creatively express their personal histories while practicing language skills in a meaningful context.
Launch
Begin the project with a "Nostalgia Day" event where students dress in outfits reminiscent of their childhood. Set up interactive stations around the classroom, each dedicated to a different childhood theme such as family, school, and play. At each station, students engage in activities and share stories in Spanish using the past tense, creating a lively and immersive environment to spark their memories and language skills.
Exhibition
Organize a "Childhood Memories Showcase" where students present their digital scrapbooks and short films to classmates, teachers, and family members. Set up interactive stations where attendees can explore each student's work, ask questions, and engage in discussions about the cultural and linguistic aspects of their projects. Include a viewing area for the short films, allowing students to introduce their videos and share personal insights about their experiences.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Memory Box Presentation: Students bring a childhood item or photo and present a short story in Spanish using simple past tense phrases.
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Past Tense Workshop: Conduct interactive lessons on conjugating verbs in the past tense, focusing on regular and irregular verbs related to childhood topics.
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Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt: Organize a classroom activity where students find and collect words related to childhood memories, family, and activities.
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Drafting Digital Scrapbook: Begin drafting the digital scrapbook by selecting childhood photos or creating drawings, and writing simple sentences describing each memory in the past tense.
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| Deliverables |
1. Memory Box Presentation notes in Spanish.
2. A list of vocabulary words found during the scavenger hunt with English translations. 3. Initial draft of the digital scrapbook with at least three pages including photos/drawings and sentences in past tense. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare examples and resources on past tense conjugation for the workshop.
2. Set up a scavenger hunt environment with vocabulary cards and clues around the classroom. 3. Ensure students have access to digital tools for creating their scrapbooks, such as computers or tablets with appropriate software. 4. Gather or suggest online resources and templates for digital scrapbooking. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Collaborative Timeline Project: Students work in pairs or small groups to create a timeline of their childhood, placing key events and writing descriptions in past tense Spanish.
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Vocabulary Integration: Use collected vocabulary from Week 1 to create complex sentences and narratives about individual childhood events in Spanish.
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Digital Scrapbook Development: Continue developing the digital scrapbook by incorporating detailed narratives for each photo or drawing and integrating feedback from peers.
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Video Diary Script Writing: Begin scripting the short film or video diary, focusing on narrative structure, past tense usage, and integrating vocabulary words.
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| Deliverables |
1. Collaborative timeline with key childhood events and descriptions in Spanish.
2. Revised digital scrapbook pages with fleshed-out narratives. 3. First draft of the video diary script, including a list of vocabulary words used. |
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| Preparation |
1. Create examples of timelines and narrative structures to guide student work.
2. Provide sentence starters and transitional phrases in Spanish to aid vocabulary integration. 3. Organize a peer feedback session with guidelines on constructive feedback for digital scrapbooks. 4. Prepare resources for scriptwriting, including templates and examples of narrative flow in Spanish. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Peer Review Workshop: Conduct a session where students share their digital scrapbook drafts and video diary scripts with peers for constructive feedback, focusing on past tense usage and narrative coherence.
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Video Diary Filming: Students begin filming their short films or video diaries, incorporating storytelling elements and past tense narratives, and experimenting with different filming techniques.
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Digital Scrapbook Enhancement: Based on peer feedback, students enhance their digital scrapbooks by refining language, adding multimedia elements, and ensuring clarity and creativity.
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Reflective Journaling: Engage in reflective journaling to express thoughts and feelings about the feedback process and filming experience, using past tense to describe challenges and successes.
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| Deliverables |
1. Revised digital scrapbook with integrated peer feedback.
2. Initial video diary footage demonstrating narrative flow and use of past tense. 3. Reflective journal entries in Spanish, discussing the review and filming process. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare guidelines for effective peer feedback, focusing on grammatical accuracy and narrative structure.
2. Set up filming equipment and spaces within the classroom or school for students to use. 3. Provide a list of multimedia tools and resources for enhancing digital scrapbooks. 4. Create a framework for reflective journaling prompts to guide student reflection. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Video Editing: Students finalize their short films or video diaries by editing footage, adding subtitles in Spanish, and incorporating music or sound effects.
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Digital Scrapbook Finalization: Students complete their digital scrapbooks by ensuring all narratives are cohesive, creatively arranged, and linguistically accurate.
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Reflection Wall Presentation: Host a session where students present their reflections from the reflection wall, discussing key insights and lessons learned throughout the project.
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Childhood Memories Showcase Preparation: Prepare for the showcase event by organizing digital scrapbooks and video diaries, rehearsing presentations, and setting up exhibition spaces.
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| Deliverables |
1. Finalized short film or video diary with edited footage and Spanish subtitles.
2. Completed digital scrapbook with all pages finalized and narratives polished. 3. Reflection presentation notes summarizing key learnings and socio-emotional insights. |
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| Preparation |
1. Provide access to video editing software and offer guidance on technical editing skills.
2. Review digital scrapbook templates and offer feedback on final narratives and design. 3. Set up the classroom for the Reflection Wall Presentation, ensuring all students have time to share. 4. Organize logistics for the Childhood Memories Showcase, including technology setup and audience seating arrangements. |
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