Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Foreign Languages/Spanish
Time Frame: 2-3 class periods

Summary

Research a famous Spanish speaking person, and write a brief report. Students will share what they learned about the person with the rest of the class.

Databases/Other Resources

General OneFile, Literature Resource Center

Procedures

The teacher will use the attached list of Spanish speaking persons to assign students two people to research. The students will use General OneFile or Literature Resource Center to get information on their assigned person. Students will write a short report and then share what they have found with the rest of the class.

Steps

Steps for Teacher

• Talk to the students about famous Spanish speaking people and how one might find information about them.

• Explain to the students that they will research one of the people listed and then make a short (3-5 minute) presentation introducing the person to the class.

• Some of the questions to be addressed include: where was this person born, on what date,where did they live, what did this person do that was noteworthy, why should your classmates be interested in this person, would you like to meet this person.

• The student may consider visuals to aid in their introduction.
  

Steps for Librarian

• Before starting this exercise, explain the arrangement of the articles and that the most current article is listed first in each category (encyclopedia, newspaper, periodical).
  

• Remind the students that the databases require accurate spelling and that a person’s last name is typed in first in the subject search.  Also, the students may find different articles on the same topic in different databases. 
  

• Show the students how to find the citation tools in the database and explain the importance and purpose of citing sources.
  
  

Steps for Student

1. Go to the General OneFile database (or for a literary figure, you may want to go to Literature Resource Center).
2. Choose any two of the following people:  Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alfonso Garcia   Robles, Hernando de Soto,  Federico Garcia Lorca, Jorge Amado, Isabel Allende, Pele, Miguel de Cervantes, Carlos Fuentes, Simon Bolivar, Pancho Villa, Che Guevara, Roberto W. Clemente, Sammy Sosa, Tony Perez, Jose Canseco, Gabriela Sabatini, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Pablo Casals, Jon Secada, Selena, Andres Segovia, Enrique Iglesias, Octavio Paz, Gary Soto, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Francisco Goya, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Joan Miro, Cheech Marin, Paul Rodriguez, George Lopez, Desi Arnaz, Antonio Banderas, Raul Julia, Edward James Olmos, Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Pablo Neruda, Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Oscar de la Renta, Bobby Bonilla, Nancy Lopez, Ellen Ochoa, Rebecca Lobo, Penelope Cruz, Marc Anthony, Derek Parra, Anthony Quinn, Julia Alvarez, Celia Cruz, Oscar Hijuelos, Ricky Martin, Esther Canadas, Soledad O’Brien, Carlos Ponce, Thalia, Juanes, Jaci Velasquez, or Andy Garcia.
   

   If using General OneFile, follow these steps:

   
   
3. Enter the name of the person as a Subject Search.
   
4. Select the Book tab if available. (If no Encyclopedia or reference book excerpts are available, select Magazines tab.  Do not use reviews.).
   
5. Select any of the links to view the full-text version of the article.
   
6. Print the article.
   
7. Click on Citation Tools and select MLA 7^th Edition (Modern Language Association), click Save and copy the correct citation for your item.  
   
8. Click on Magazines, Academic Journals, or News if there are additional articles about your individual.
   
9. Select the Multimedia tab (if available) to listen to a podcast about the idividual (if available)
   
10. Write a short essay (one page) introducing the people you chose.
    
11. Report back to the class about what you learned.
    

    If using Literature Resource Center, follow these steps:

12. From the Basic Search, enter the name of the person and select the Person By or About radio button.
    
13. Select the Biographies tab.
    
14. Select any of the links to view a full-text article about the individual.
    
15. Print the article.
    
16. Click on Citation Tools and select MLA 7^th Edition (Modern Language Association), click Save and copy the correct citation for your item. 
    
17. Click on News & Reviews and Primary Sources & Literary Works tab to view additional articles about the individual.
    
18. Select the Multimedia tab (if available) to listen to a podcast about the idividual (if available)
    
19. Write a short essay (one page) introducing the people you chose.
    
20. Report back to the class about what you learned.

Related Activities

1.  Read more about other Spanish speaking people at the Hispanic Heritage website

2.  Read a story, novel, poem or play by a Spanish-speaking author.

3.  Watch a videotape based on a work by a Spanish author or one in Spanish that is

     subtitled.

4.  Search for an article on these topics from the Informe database.

Content Standards

II. Standard Number 2 (Goal Two): Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

Standard Rationale: The study of another language enables students to understand a different culture on its own terms. The exquisite connections between the culture that is lived and the language that is spoken can only be realized by those who possess a knowledge of both. American students need to develop an awareness of other people’s world views, of their unique way of life, and of the patterns of behavior which order their world, as well as learn about contributions of other cultures.

 

 

 

Learning Expectations/Grade Level Expectations

II. Standard Number 2 (Goal Two): Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

Learning Expectations:

2.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.

2.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.

 

Performance Indicators State

II. Standard Number 2 (Goal Two): Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

Performance Indicators:

2.1 The student is able to:

identify, compare and develop modes of interaction, gestures, oral expressions, greetings, leave-takings and common classroom interactions.

develop familiarity with basic geographical features (countries, capitals, major rivers, mountain ranges, natural resources, etc.) of the regions being studied.

develop familiarity with basic historical moments and figures.

2.2 The student is able to:

begin to experience songs, stories, games, traditional celebrations, art literature, film and other products of the cultures being studied.

develop the vocabulary necessary for discussing housing, food, dress, and other tangible items of everyday life in the cultures being studied.

Assessment

The students will be assessed on the quality and depth of their presentation. This rubric can be used to assess the student presentations. 

ISTE Computer Literacy and Usage Standards

3. Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. process data and report results.

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.

3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.