Thelma Uzeta, Spanish teacher, Providence High School
Abstract(PDF)
Unit(PDF)
Abstract
In this unit I intend to help my students to understand and learn the significance of the similarities and differences among cultures. Our students know the expression “The Melting Pot”, but do they really know what it means? Do they understand that we can coexist even with differences? Do they understand that most of the time cultures have more similarities than differences? Are they aware that colors can have different symbolism depending on where you are from? Do they know that color symbolism in turn has shaped our traditions and practices in many ways? My goal is to help my students to answer these questions.
Colors have been an important part of our lives for a long time, and we might not be aware of the impact that colors can have on our emotions and relationships. Colors are more than a combination of green and yellow or red and blue, they are a way of communication. This non-verbal communication can be of better use if we can understand the meaning of it in our culture, and the different cultures in our society. “Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions” says Pablo Picasso.
I have been teaching Spanish as a foreign language at high school for the past four years, and I’ve been teaching for the past sixteen years. For the first time I can say that I will teach my students COLORS. Not only how to translate them to the target language, but how to use it in a meaningful way. By using idioms in Spanish and English, my students will have a better understanding of the language and the culture.
In this unit I intend to help my students to understand and learn the significance of the similarities and differences among cultures. Our students know the expression “The Melting Pot”, but do they really know what it means? Do they understand that we can coexist even with differences? Do they understand that most of the time cultures have more similarities than differences? Are they aware that colors can have different symbolism depending on where you are from? Do they know that color symbolism in turn has shaped our traditions and practices in many ways? My goal is to help my students to answer these questions.Colors have been an important part of our lives for a long time, and we might not be aware of the impact that colors can have on our emotions and relationships. Colors are more than a combination of green and yellow or red and blue, they are a way of communication. This non-verbal communication can be of better use if we can understand the meaning of it in our culture, and the different cultures in our society. “Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions” says Pablo Picasso.I have been teaching Spanish as a foreign language at high school for the past four years, and I’ve been teaching for the past sixteen years. For the first time I can say that I will teach my students COLORS. Not only how to translate them to the target language, but how to use it in a meaningful way. By using idioms in Spanish and English, my students will have a better understanding of the language and the culture.
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