Kalif,+Amy

**Unit Goals:** Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the Geography and Pre-Columbian History of Mexico by studying maps, and reading legends of each ancient culture: Mayan, Toltec and Aztec. Students will read their first novel, __La Ciudad de Los Dioses__, in Spanish. All classes will be conducted entirely in Spanish. Students will identify important cities, mountain ranges and bodies of water in Mexico. Students will read for understanding. Students will express opinions in Spanish. Students will utilize Web 2.0 technology. Communication 1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. 1.2 Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. 1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. Connections 3.1 Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language. Communities 5.1 Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting. 5.2 Students show evidence of becoming life- long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment. ** Lesson Theme #1: Geography (1-2 weeks) ** Using [|www.kalifcorner.wikispaces.com] Spanish 3 Mexico Unit pages, students will review a list of Mexico’s major cities, river and mountain ranges. Students will identify all landmarks using online maps. There will be a quiz covering all Geography topics. After quiz students will read the legend __Los Novios__ about 2 famous volcanoes ( Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl ) located outside of Mexico City. There will be a mini reading comprehension quiz, and class discussion of the legend. Using [|www.kalifcorner.wikispaces.com] Spanish 3 Mexico Unit pages, students will review 3 Pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico: Mayan, Toltec and Aztec. The Mayas: Students will review all important information about the Mayan culture, and the Mayan number system. In class, students will watch a movie about the Mayan civilization. There will be a quiz covering all Mayan topics. After quiz students will read __El Enano de Uxmal__ about a dwarf with special powers in the Mayan city of Uxmal. There will be a mini reading comprehension quiz, and class discussion of the legend. Toltecs: Students will review all important information about the Toltec culture. There will be a quiz covering all Toltec topics. After quiz students will read __El Sol y La Luna__ about the creation of the sun and the moon. The Toltec ruin of Teotihuacan has the Pyramid of the Sun, and the Pyramid of the Moon. There will be a mini reading comprehension quiz, and class discussion of the legend. Aztecs: Students will review all important information about the Aztec culture. In class students will watch a film about Cortez’s journey to Tenochtitlan through Mexico. There will be a quiz covering all Aztec topics. After quiz students will read __Un Lecho de Rosas__ about the torture of Cuautehmoc by Hernan Cortez’s men. There will be a mini reading comprehension quiz, and class discussion of the legend. Using a graphic organizer found on wiki, students will organize their thoughts about Hernan Cortez and the last Aztec emperor, Cuautehmoc. The blog question is: Would you prefer to have been a Spanish soldier, or an Aztec warrior? Students will form an opinion and post it on [|www.kalifcorner.blogspot.com]. The blog has links to useful vocabulary, and the blogging rubric. Students will take an exam on the Geography, Pre-Columbian History and Legends of Mexico in class. Students will read the novel inside and outside of class. There will be daily comprehension mini-quizzes, and graphic organizers to chart important themes and/or characters. ** Wiki Project ** The culminating project for this Mexico unit will be conducted on the wiki. Students will be sorted into teams with peers from other classes. Students will collaborate using the “Discussion” tab of their team page. The project itself is based on the novel, and scaffolded using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Students begin answering simple True/False questions, and finish with an evaluation of the entire unit. All work is posted on the wiki. Each team must upload a podcast or vodcast in Spanish. The scoring rubric, and links to useful vocabulary and grammar may be found on the wiki. A thorough explanation is described on [|www.kalifcorner.wikispaces.com] Spanish 3 Mexico Unit.
 * Deliverable #4 **
 * Final Project **
 * Title: ¡Bienvenidos a Mexico! **
 * Time Frame: 2.5 months **
 * Learning Outcomes: **
 * ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language) National Standards: **
 * Lesson Theme #2: Pre-Columbian History & Legends (3-4 weeks) **
 * Assessment: Blog Assignment **
 * Comprehensive Exam **
 * Lesson Theme #3: The Novel, __La Ciudad de Los Dioses__ (4-6weeks) **