¿Cómo son los hispanohablantes? Who are those from Spanish-speaking countries?

Brittany Head, Spanish, Jay M. Robinson Middle School

Final Unit (PDF)

Implementing Common Core Standards (PDF)

200 Word Synopsis

The World Language curriculum for Charlotte Mecklenburg schools focuses primarily on proficiency in writing, reading, listening and speaking with a dusting of culture.  In this unit, I plan to shift the focus to the culture of the people we study in Spanish class while incorporating the proficiency goals.  I think is it essential for the students to know about the countries they are studying as well as the culture that exists in the people who are rooted there.  With so many Hispanic/ Latinos in our country, I want them to think about the push and pull factors that exist in the process of immigration.  I want to replace their surface and stereotypical understanding of immigration with a factually based one that encourages on-going curiosity about the issue.  I also want students to have a better understanding of the Latino Migration experience as it pertains to the Spanish culture that they are learning.  In a time when discussion about “illegal” immigration and policy are widespread on the TV and radio, I want my students to be critical thinkers before drawing conclusions on such a complex topic.