Immigrants in the United States

Sometimes I get the sense that politicians and the media are telling me that the United States are going to be destroyed due to excessive immigration. So I was very surprised and interested in this graph showing that there is a smaller percentage of foreign born residents than 100 years ago. 

What has really changed is where they are coming from

Source - NPR

Hot Tamale Activities - reply in the comments or email me bordner@cityhigh.org

• Does this surprise you? How does this change what you already thought about immigration?
• Why do you think this change occurred?
• What do you think will happen in the next 100 years? Where will the largest percentage of immigrants come from? Why? 

Videos about learning languages

There are a ton of videos on YouTube showcasing why it's useful/super awesome cool to learn another language. Earn some Hot Tamale points by emailing me or commenting on this post with some you found. Here are a few to get you started.

What are your most magical places in the world?

I got really excited when I saw this list of 15 Most Magical Places in the World and I had traveled to #1 when I was studying abroad in Switzerland!

Hot Tamale Activities - reply in the comments or email me bordner@cityhigh.org

1. What are your top 10 places you want to travel to? Why? (No more than 3 can be in the United States)
2. Research one or more of the 15 places mentioned here and locate them on a map. Describe them. Why are they special? When were they created? 

Food around the World

In general I am fascinated by what people eat around the world. There is an awesome book that has taken photos of families around the world and their weekly groceries. Click to see a sneak peak here and here.

Part 1 Hot Tamale Activities - reply in the comments or email me bordner@cityhigh.org

1. Respond to the photos. What struck you as familiar? Different? Crazy? Which family looked like they had the most "interesting" groceries? Which family looked most "tasty"? Which family's groceries looked most simliar to yours?
2. Do your own family's grocery photo and share it with us!

This week I came across this really interesting post about different school lunches around the world. Check it out.

Part 2 Hot Tamale Activities - reply in the comments or email me bordner@cityhigh.org

1. Respond to the photos. What struck you as familiar? Different? Crazy? Which country looked like they had the most "interesting" lunch? Which country looked most "tasty"? Which country's lunch looked most simliar to yours?

Part 3 Hot Tamale Activities 

• This website takes photos of what you could buy in different countries if you lived under the poverty line. Spend some time exploring the website then write your reaction in an email.

Nat-Geo - New Mayan Ruins Found

In 2010 Archeologist discovered another temple believed to be part of the Mayan Empire. National Geographic fills us in on the latest details about this discovery.

Read the article, watch the video, then select an extra credit opportunity. (Leave a comment or email me bordner@cityhigh.org)

1. Summarize the article. What stood out to you? What questions do you want to ask after reading it? 
2. Compare/Contrast the Mayans to the Aztecs/Egyptians
3. Why is it popular knowledge to think the Mayans said the world will end in 2012? Do you believe it? What does Nat Geo say about it?

Bonus! Check out photos from when my mother and I visited Mayan ruins in Mexico!

Article - Why Major Makeup Brands Have Gone Bilingual

Recently LatinZine posted an article describing how and why makeup brands are marketing to hispanics.

Read the article - Extra Credit Opportunities (comment on this post or email me a response)

1. Respond to this article. Do you think it will boost sales? Do you think it is a long time coming? What market do you think will cater to latinos next?
2. Find images of Latinos in advertising for makeup (or clothing) and share the links.

Muy Bien!

Many times my students mock my go-to congratulatory phrase "muy bien!" So this year I've found some alternatives.

Praise Words for Spanish Teachers

Extra Credit Opportunities - comment on this post or email me for points

1. translate the words (have Spanish and English)
2. identify all the cognates
3. suggest more!

Xcaret, Mexico

Extra Credit Opportunity Questions. (Click Reply or email me)

1. Locate Xcaret, Mexico on a map. Describe this location.
2. When do you think this was created? Why? By who?
3. Come up with an original story about this image.