A Man Who's Not Even in the 20th Century, Never Mind the 21st

"I came into this landmine of Anglos versus Spanish versus Mexicans versus Indians versus everybody up here. I'm just doing what I've always done."  Larry Whitten 

This clown, in order to turn around a failing hotel, wanted Latinos to change their names.  But, folks weren't having it.  Read the story here.

You're a racist, Larry.  It's the proverbial truth.

Funny Spanish Versions of Two Popular TV Infomercials

Here's Vince of Sham Wow! and Slap Chop fame talking in Spanish.  Yes; it's really him speaking.  For whatever reason, I wasn't able to embed the videos. 

Although the Spanish isn't pristine, it's good entertainment for your Spanish classes, nonetheless.  Enjoy!

Columbus Day

Hispanics have a particular concern when it comes to the celebration of Columbus.  It used to be that Hispanics would argue with Italians over who had more of a claim to the Columbus expedition.  While Columbus was Italian, his expeditions were funded and powered by the Iberian nations of Spain and Portugal.  These two nations would dominate the European exploration the Western hemisphere in cooperation with the talents of other Latin nations.  Today, it seems as if it's everyone versus the American Indians on whether to celebrate the life of Columbus.  From, Las Culturas blog

I wasn't going to post anything on the above topic. But, I did express some thoughts on my personal blog, which I will publish here.  I also located a web article which I believe presents some interesting perspectives.

Regarding Columbus Day, I don’t address it, really with my Onsies and my Twosies. Unless, of course, a student raises the issue of indigenous peoples, which formulate significant segments of the population in the Spanish-speaking world. In many Spanish-speaking countries, at least in Latin America, anyway, Columbus Day is known as El Día de la Raza. The matter of Columbus Day is a very complex and complicated topic, one which many adults have not even remotely decompressed.

For my own part, I think about the issue, more as the Columbus Day holiday approaches. While I do need to be able to discuss the topic in an intelligent and age-appropriate way with my students, it is something about which I am not able to value neutral. For all of of his navigational talents, Columbus was a scumbag, in his times, and in ours. 

Here is an article which may be of interest.  

A Lesson in Spelling and Collaborating

What we know about individuals, no matter how rich the details, will never give us the ability to predict how they will behave as a system. Once individuals link together they become something different ... Relationships change us, reveal us, evoke more from us. Only when we join with others do our gifts become visible, even to ourselves.  Unknown

I debated using "Typewriter" with my Twosies.  However, I relented, and decided to let them have a go at it.

This wonderful website explains "Typewriter", as well as many other activities for practicing vocabulary.  I resisted using "Typewriter", because it is tagged as an intermediate-level activity.  Additionally, instead of having two or three different Spanish alphabet letter cards each, my students had up to ten different Spanish alphabet letter cards each.  Last, the students were required to spell out the words, in Spanish.

Following a rather tentative beginning,  and a review of the pronunciation of the Spanish alphabet, the students were very successful.  Given the philosophy of my place of employ, the students are reasonably adept at collaboration. However, the most important collaboration skill the students were required to use was listening: listening to the word to be spelled, especially for tildes and accent marks, and, listening to group members.

Did I mention how proud I am of my students?

National Hispanic Heritage Month Activity #2

Here is another series of activities I used with my students in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.  

The activities I found the most useful for Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 are: "The Story Behind The Name", "Famous Facts", and the "Crossword".  These activities lent themselves nicely to collaboration and critical thinking, and the students seemed to have fun while learning new things.

Please pass along to your colleagues.