According to the education gurus, an experience (like movies, field trips and guests) is the best way to increase student motivation. I’ve found this to be extremely true with my students, especially during testing week. This week I will be sharing my plans for two movies: “Selena” (Level 1) and “In the Time of the Butterflies” (Level 2). I will focus on how to use a movie in English to increase the TL skills. I hope you will share your ideas as we go too.
Planning
First I like to look at the 5Cs to see how I can really expand the experience. This below is from ACTFL.
Here is my first brainstorm paper. Not perfect, but it helps me get started.
Next I make a stamp sheet. Even if I don’t stamp each one daily, it helps the students to know what they will be doing.
Lastly, I watch the movie to decide where to start and stop each day. I try to leave them on a cliffhanger each day. I know, cruel. But my attendance is great the week I show the movie! Yes, I try to stretch it out for at least a week with the movie, and another week afterwards.
Day 1: Stop after they say Sinita was not seen at school anymore.
Day 2: Stop after she slaps Trujillo.
Day 3: Stop after she doesn’t get diploma.
Day 4: Stop after Mate passes rolled paper.
Day 5: Finish.
Read the next post for some specific activities.
How do you connect the 5Cs to a movie?
I’ll bring it at dinner time
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you!! I would like to show more movies, but I have levels 1-2 & they wouldn’t fully understand in Spanish. This has definitely given me some ideas! Can’t wait to see more!!!
I love your brainstorm paper. I never thought of looking at quite that way.
I like the organization of this. In my 7th grade class we watch “Maricela” and 8th grade “Sweet 15”. Typically we just watch the movie and discuss a few things throughout. I would like to do something more organized like you have above. I’m excited about seeing the rest of the posts! Thanks for sharing!
This is a great idea. I like the brainstorming sheet and the stamp sheet. How did you make the stamp sheet? I want to make one for oral targets for each unit. Do you use fill-in-the blank guided notes? I find that sometimes students can focus more on the movie this way. Sometimes I save the writing parts for opinions and reflections.
I used Word to make the stamp sheet by inserting circle shapes. I’m trying to move away from structured notes. I find that my students don’t like them. Sometimes they just copy the answers or leave them on the ground. Also it takes a lot of time to make them.
http://db.tt/KSrhTgVp
Here is one I use as a master. I got it from Thomas S. and just save as and edit it for each activity. The stamps are genius. I ordered some self inking stamps from oriental trading (or a card and party store has them as treat bag favors ) and try to select images that echo the unit theme. This has been shear brilliance to keep students motivated in learning the I can statement goals. Pretty obvious when “I can’t” and losing the page is only a problem once since they must say everything over when they do.
The real challenge is keeping the rest of the class on task while students are reciting. Figure out ways not to get bogged down. I set a limit of 3 stamps per student per day so that I can spend individual time each day with each student. Nobody hardy gets all the stamps, so in setting the grade, I have said 20 out of 25 = a 100. I always leave a couple blank and also include somethings that are never addressed in class as enrichment.
I am thinking about showing Selena to my 8th grade Spanish I students. They are all 13-14 years old. Do you think it is appropriate? Also, you must check out La Cosecha, a documentary on migrant children in our country.
I think so. I’ve never taught middle school. Does any other middle school tchr show it?
I’ll look for La Cosecha.
I’ve shown it to 7th and 8th graders. They LOVE it! A couple of years ago “People en Español” had a huge article about Selena so I cut it out and used it to enhance the movie. They are really fascinated by her and her story.
My Spanish One students always love Under the Same Moon, and the Spanish is easy enough to follow. In Spanish 2 I have shown Azucar and Ladrón que roba a ladrón.
I am about 2 years behind this post but in case you see this… can you share how you used Azucar in your classroom? Thanks!
I found this movie over the summer and my high school kids loved it. “El Cielo en tu Mirada”
They loved it so much that many went home and watched it again on Netflix or Youtube. Some even downloaded the soundtrack. They loved the music and even though they did not understand everything, they were able to follow along because of the body language.
I just watched this on Netflix. Super-cute! I turned on the subtitles and that would help them out. What else did you do with it? Projects?
I have not been able to find this movie on Netflix.. or anywhere..
I cannot find “En el tiempo de las mariposas” in Spanish.. Where did you find it?
The movie is in English and is titled “In the Time of the Butterflies”. I bought it from amazon.com. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you. So you showed the movie in English, along with the graphic organizer?
Yes, I showed it in English (I put Spanish subtitles on). We discussed it and did all activities in Spanish. The students made the connections really well.
… wonderful blog, thank you 🙂 i am wondering if you have a recommendation for a film in spanish (with english subtitles available) for 10th grade? all the things i’ve found are too simple or too advanced! i’d truly appreciate any help, this has been a problem for me for a few years now 🙁 ¡mil gracias!
I haven’t seen this movie…were all scenes appropriate or were there some that needed to be skipped? I am thinking of ordering this movie, but was curious about that first…Thanks again for the great ideas, as always
I think it depends on your students and school. And are you referring to the “Butterflies” movie? There’s one scene in the prison that I have skipped before, but now I just show it with some warning to cover eyes if they don’t want to see it. Also I’ve been asking for parent permission on all movies mainly because I want parents to know WHY we are watching certain movies in class.
I showed the recent movie by Eugenio Derbez, ” Instructions not included”. It is appropriate, only 1 or two bad words and one suggestive scene at the very beginning. The movie is funny and has a lot to offer in terms of teaching culture comparison, character description, setting, etc. The story is very sweet. It has a sad but very thoughtful ending. It is all in Spanish, but I turned on the subtitles in English for Spanish 1. Spanish 2 get the subtitles in Spanish.
I also showed it a spam of a week. Project: Students can make a chart comparing different aspects of culture from US and Mexico, in English, for better understanding. The students, also chose three characters, draw them and wrote about their descriptions, personalities, roles, where they lived, and what they like the most about the movie, ALL in Spanish.
I showed it after studying about the descriptions and adjective vocabulary, Spanish 1 used verbs in the present tense, Spanish 2 used past imperfect.
Love that movie! Thanks for the details on how you use it.