Explore How the World Celebrates

We're coming up on end of the year holidays so let's take this opportunity to learn about many different celebrations all around the world. 

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Learn about how Easter is celebrated about and describe 3 new things you learned. 
2. Learn about how Eid al-Fitr is celebrated about and describe 3 new things you learned. 
3. Learn about how Holiday Food Around the World is celebrated about and describe 3 new things you learned. 
4. Take the Holiday Traditions quiz and take a screen shot of your score.
5. Take one of the holidays you learned about and compare it to how you celebrate it. 
6. What holiday is your favorite? Explain your answer. How do you celebrate it?

Geography Games - Locate Cities Around the World

I love my playing geography games because I feel like I learn so much! Here are two more games.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete one of the tasks below.

1. Play Quizzity and take a screen shot of your score. 
2. Find 4 facts about one of the cities that you needed to locate on Quizzity.
3. Play Wiki Where and take a screen shot of your score. 
4. Find 4 facts about one of the cities that you needed to locate on Wiki Where.
5. Which place from one of the games would you want to visit? Explain your answer. 

Where Is The Best Theme Park Around The World?

We've looked at Google Earth's This is School and Google Earth's This is Home. Now let's look at theme parks around the world.

Check out Google Earth's Theme Parks Around the World

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the theme parks and describe it in detail. What are the attractions? 
2. Which theme park looks the best? Explain your answer.
3. Which theme park would you NOT want to visit? Explain your answer.
4. What is the best theme park you've ever been too? What made it so great?
5. What's your favorite ride at Kennywood? How many times have you gone? 
6. Compare two of the places with 2 similarities and 2 differences. 
7. List 3 new things your learned from one of the places. 

Explore Scary Places Around the World

We've looked at Google Earth's This is School and Google Earth's This is Home, now let's take a creepy turn, just in time for Halloween. 

Check out Google Earth's Around The World in Haunted Houses

or

Haunted Places Around the World

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete one of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the places and describe it in detail. Where is it? What is the history? Describe the inside and the outside.
2. Which place would you want to visit? Explain your answer.
3. Which place would you NOT want to visit? Explain your answer. 
4. Where is the scariest place you've ever been? 
5. Do you like going to haunted places or do you avoid them? Explain your answer.
6. Take the Quiz on Spooky Spots and take a screen shot of your score. 

Explore Cities Around the World

Google Earth has made exploring amazing cities of the world possible from your computer. They are categorized by different areas or topics. 

• Seville, (Spain)
• Havana, (Cuba)
• San Juan, (Puerto Rico)
• Barcelona, (Spain)
• Cancun, (Mexico)
• Santiago, (Chile)
• Mexico City, (Mexico
• Catalonia (Spain)

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete one of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the cities and describe 5 of the places you visit in detail. Why did you pick that place?
2. Compare two of the places with 2 similarities and 2 differences.
3. Explain how climate and culture might impact the home. 
4. Rank your top 3 cities and explain your reasoning. 
5. List 7 things you learned about a Spanish speaking place. Why did you pick that place?

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 - October 15, 2020. You can see previous posts about the month here and here.

Click here to read about Latino Culture in the US

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete one of the tasks below.

1. Explore the link about Latinx Culture in the U.S. and write 4 things you learned. 
2. Explore Film, Dance, Music, Tradition or Style and write 4 things you learned. 
3. Where have you learned about Latinx culture? What have your learned?
4. Watch Nickelodeon and/or Disney video and write 4 things you learned. 

Google Earth's This is School

As we start another school year, you can review previous posts about school such as Back to School Around the World, School Around the World, or How Kids Get to School.

Check out Google Earth's This is School

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the places and describe what you see in the photo in detail. What are the decorations? How is the room set up? Describe the uniforms and school materials. What is outside school area appear?
2. Compare two of the places with 2 similarities and 2 differences. 
3. Is there a school that you'd prefer to attend? Explain your answer.
4. Is there a school that you'd prefer NOT to attend? Explain your answer. 
5. List 3 new things your learned from one of the places. 

Famous Latinx People You Should Know

The world is full of amazing people who have a positive impact on many people's lives. 

Click here to read about 10 Inspiring Latinas Who've Made History,

or

Click here to learn about Latinx Trailblazers 

that highlights 13 Latinx cultural icons and the places that were important in their lives.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Compare one of the people with yourself and list 2 similarities and 2 differences. 
2. List 3 new things your learned from one of the people. 
3. Which person was most inspiring? Explain your answer.
4. Describe one of the locations in detail. What country/city is it? What do you see?
5. Which person would you like to talk to? Explain your answer.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Summarize the purpose of these goals in your own words.
2. Which of the 17 goals do you think is most important? Explain your answer.
3. Look up and briefly describe how the United Nations came about. 
4. Describe in your own words what "sustainable" means.
5. If there were no barrier to time nor money, which goal would you work to solve? Explain your answer.
6. Click on this link to learn more about why each goal matters and information about each goal. 
7. Look at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Spanish. List 8-10 words you understand from the Spanish images.

Google Earth's This is Home

We've all been spending a lot of time in our homes. Have you ever thought about how homes are different around the world? 

Check out Google Earth's This is Home

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the houses and describe it in detail. What are the materials? What is the shape? What is the size? Describe the decorations and furniture. Describe the outside.
2. Explain how climate and culture might impact the home. 
3. Compare two of the places with 2 similarities and 2 differences. 
4. Is there a house that you'd like to live in? Explain your answer.
5. List 3 new things your learned from one of the places. 
   

If you want to learn more about housing around the world check out the post on Dollar Street and Housing Differences Around the World.

Explore the World through Google Street View

Even though we're not able to travel around the world for a while, luckily you can still explore it! 

The photos above are from the places in the world mapped below.

Here are 23 places mapped above you can explore

and

here are 15 of the most popular places to explore in Street View.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Compare two of the places with 2 similarities and 2 differences. 
2. Which place would you like to visit? Explain your answer.
3. Which place would you not like to visit? Explain your answer. 
4. List 3 new things your learned from one of the places. 
5. Which place have you never heard of? 

Chichen Itza, Famous Mayan Ruins of Mexico

Chichen Itza is a well preserve ancient ruin site of the Mayan civilization. It is located in Mexico.

You can explore the pyramid or other areas of the ruins. 

 

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Explore the link about the Maya and explain 3 new things you learned.
2. Explore the links about the Chichen Itza pyramid or other areas of the ruins and explained 3 new things you learned.
3. Would you want to visit Chichen Itza? Explain your answer. 
• (Here are some photos of when I went).
4. Color the famous pyramid and take a screen shot of your creation. 

Geography Treasure Hunts

I really like learning about geography and playing geography related games and I found another one! ESRI Geography Treasure Hunts website has a few games based on different topics around the world. 

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and pick one of the geography games to play then complete two of the tasks below.

1. Take a screen shot of your score/end screen. 
2. List 3 new things your learned from playing the game.
3. How did you find out some of the answers? 
4. Which game did you like the most? Explain your answer.
5. Have a friend or family play the game. How did they do?

The New Seven Wonders of the World

I shared information about the Natural Wonders of the World and the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. In 2007 there was a big movement to identify and vote on the NEW Seven Wonders of the World. 

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and answer two of the following questions in complete sentences in English.

1. Which place have the heard the most about? Where did you hear this information? 
2. Which place would you be the most interested in travel to? Explain your answer.
3. Which place(s) have you never heard of before? What do you think of them?
4. Which place would you not want to travel to? Explain your answer. 
5. Which place have you been that you consider to be a "wonder of the world"? Explain your answer. 
6. View Interactive 360 photos or 360 videos of these monuments. List 5 new pieces of information that you learned. 

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I recently highlighted the Natural Wonders of the World. Did you know that there are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? 

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and answer two of the following questions in complete sentences in English.

1. Which place have the heard the most about? Where did you hear this information? 
2. Which place do you wish you could travel to? Explain your answer.
3. Which place(s) have you never heard of before? What do you think of them?
4. Which place would you not want to travel to? Explain your answer. 
5. What is the "oldest" place you've ever been? It could also be the oldest thing you've ever seen in a museum. Explain your answer. 
6. Read more about one of the wonder here or here and write 5 new pieces of information you learned.

Housing Differences From Around the World

During the Shelter-in-Place order in Spring of 2020 we were in our houses a lot. This made me wonder about how houses are different around the world. I found this video and thought it was really interesting!

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and answer two of the following questions in complete sentences in English.

1. List five new things you learned from the video. 
2. Based on the video, which country would you MOST prefer to have a house in? Explain your answer.
3. Based on the video, which country would you LEAST prefer to have a house in? Explain your answer.
4. Which piece of information struck you are the most interesting or most odd? What country was the house in? Explain your answer.
5. Which piece of information was something you didn't know before but makes a lot of sense to you? Explain your answer.

How to Draw - Videos in Spanish

I recently made a few videos where I drew out a story. I don't consider myself very artistic but I did enjoy doodling so I've been looking for some "how to draw" resources and came across this great YouTube channel.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and complete one of the tasks below.

1. Pick one of the videos in the YouTube channel, watch it and draw the character. 
2. Watch 2 videos in the YouTube channel and list 5 words you understood in Spanish and English.
3. Do you like to draw? Do you prefer to draw realistic life-like things or fantastical images? Include an image that you've drawn.
4. If you don't like to draw, what other artistic activity do you enjoy? Share a sample of your work!
5. Find an artist that is a Spanish speaker on the internet. What draws you to their art?

Natural Wonders of the World

As you can tell from previous posts, I'm a fan of travel videos. Even though travel seems uncertain for the foreseeable future, we can still enjoy the beauty of this world through videos. You don't actually have to visit a place to appreciate it! I recently watched this video and was amazed at how awesome each of these places looked.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and answer two of the following questions in complete sentences in English.

1. Which place have the heard the most about? Where did you hear this information? 
2. Which place would you be the most interested in travel to? Explain your answer.
3. Which place(s) have you never heard of before? What do you think of them?
4. Which place would you not want to travel to? Explain your answer. 
5. Which place have you been that you consider to be a "beautiful natural wonder"? Explain your answer. 
6. Watch another video from MojoTravels and summarize it.

Characteristics of a Good Language Learner

There are 

lots of lists 

of characteristics 

that make a good 

language learner

but the number one (for me) is that you 

keep trying to understand and be understood.

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and complete one of the following tasks

1. Look at one of the lists linked above and pick out a characteristic you identify with. What are some things you already do that exhibit that characteristic?
2. Look at one of the lists linked above and pick out a characteristic you don't identify with but wish you did. What are some action steps you can take to develop that characteristic? 
3. If you were going to learn a language other than Spanish, which would it be and why?

Out of School Language Learning

Every once in awhile in class (or as homework) I would provide an article about tips of learning a language or the benefits of learning a language. Today I'll post some ideas on how you can continue to practice when we're not together. 

Recently the New York Times provided some suggestions on how to learn at language at home, and last year they published an article about what they learned by using Duolingo for 500 days (and compared it to other apps).

If you don't want to get on an app there are ways to incorporate another language into your everyday life like changing your phone to be in the target language, following Spanish speakers on your favorite social media platform, or listening to music or watching shows in Spanish.

SpanishPlans.org has a great list of ideas to maintain the language you've learned over the summer break

Create a new blog post in your Spanish Blog Portfolio (or send an email to your teacher), title it the same as this blog post, and complete one of the following tasks

• Create a list of 3 of these things you would do. Include links to songs/playlists you'd listen to, shows you'd watch and/or social media accounts you'd follow. 
• Watch one of these TED talk videos about how to learn a language and summarize it in your own words.
• Look into different (free) language learning apps or extensions you could use (refer to the NYTimes articles How to learn at language at home, and what they learned by using Duolingo for 500 days ) and explain which one you'd be most likely to use and why.