Spanish Plans is a collection of resources for teachers, including activities, iPad apps, comic strips, songs, commercials, Web sites, and highlights from other Spanish educators' blogs.
Type of Material:
Blog about ideas for teaching Spanish as well as links to other resources.
Recommended Uses:
This is an excellent resource for Spanish educators looking for fresh ideas or additional resources to engage students.
Technical Requirements:
Adobe Acrobat
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Culture is embedded in each of the units covered in the "Resources" tab, including "la ropa", "los colores" and "animales." Students can read, watch and listen to authentic commercials and songs in the target language as well as visit related sites, such as a virtual tour of Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul. Ideas for interpersonal communication activities, especially speaking, are included also.
Most of the material, as it is posted on the site, is intended for educators. However, there are a variety of ideas, games, and resources, when used appropriately, that would cater to all five skills in the classroom.
Target Student Population:
The site is appropriate for secondary and post-secondary students, but lesson ideas may be used in elementary classes. The "Resources" tab includes activities particularly suited for beginning language learners.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Most resources are geared towards beginning and intermediate level learners. Some Spanish knowledge may be necessary depending on the activity or resource used.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content and the language of the material is correct. There are many resources here, such as YouTube clips of commercials in Spanish, songs, cartoons, and games that would engage students on many level. Used as a tool by the educator, this site provides a lot of potential material for classroom activities.
Concerns:
When clicking on some links, the user will receive an error message because the site cannot be found. Also, the units emphasize vocabulary rather than grammar so most of the language production is at the word, rather than sentence, level. The materials included under the "Lesson Plans" tab must be purchased.
The Teacher Memes, although humorous, tend to have a negative, rather than uplifting or inspiring, tone.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The activity ideas are creative and interactive. The commercials and songs are fun and current and appropriate for non-native as well as native speakers. The iPads apps will also appeal to tech-savvy students.
For teachers looking for some interesting ideas and new resources to add to their lesson plans, this site has great potential. Students would enjoy seeing commercials and cartoons in the target language, as well as playing games and singing songs to reenforce target vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Concerns:
Teachers need to double-check the content and preview videos. Material is being added to the site on a regular basis. Some links did not work. Due to the links to the "Teacherpayteachers" site, not all material is freely accessible.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is well organized. The tabs enable easy navigation between different sections of the site.
Concerns:
The site's aesthetics could be enhanced by a more streamlined design featuring less text, particularly in the right-hand margin. It would be helpful if videos popped up in a new window so that the user can easily return to the main site.
Creative Commons:
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