Submitted by Dayna Laber

Language: Spanish Unit Cultural Theme or Academic Content Area: Science Target Audience: Immersion Elementary Grade: 5 Proficiency Level: Intermediate Mid

Standards: Communication:    1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Cultures:    Connections:    3.1, 3.2 Comparisons:    Communities:

Unit Timeframe:

This unit and project is divided into various parts, which will be completed over a period of four to six weeks.

Unit Overview:

As part of an integrated language arts and science unit on Problem Solving & Solutions, students will be creating an invention. Students will be writing persuasive text in order to convince other students and adults to buy the new invention. Writing will also include a composition about the invention - the invention does not necessarily need to work. Before creating the invention, the students will have read realistic fiction stories dealing with various kinds of interactions that happen among children, adults and animals. Students will also take a look at famous inventors in history and the problems they solved through creating their inventions.

Some of the vocabulary and structures will need to be pre-taught. It is assumed that many others have already been mastered. One of the detailed lessons that I have included for your use introduces students to the use of propaganda in Spanish magazines. Later on they will need to apply these skills on their own to complete the actual invention project.

General Unit References and Resources:

Animated Hero Classics. (1993). Irving TX: Living History Productions. (To order: 1-800-452-4485)
This is a series of videos, available in both English and Spanish that include information about famous inventors, their inventions and lives. They may be used in the classroom before the students create their own inventions. Some famous inventor videos in this series include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur and Alexander Graham Bell.

Karusa, M. D. (1994). La calle es libre. Ediciones Ekare. (Realistic Fiction in Spanish)

Print Artist. (1996). Sierra On-Line Inc.

Puncel,Maria.(1995). Abuelita Opalina. Spain: SM Ediciones. (Realistic Fiction)

Spanish Commercials Video. (1998). Auburn Hills MI: Teachers Discovery. (To order: 1-800-684-4934)
This is a 20 minute Spanish video of commercials that can be used in the classroom to help analyze propaganda and learn new vocabulary. Topics include candy, cereal, soap, cars, fastfood restaurants, and phone systems. Taylor, B. A inventar se ha dicho! Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

Links or files for unit content:     A new window will open for each lesson.

Lesson 1 - Famous Inventors in History
Lesson 2 - Analyzing and Creating Propaganda
Unit Assessment