Curriculum:
Essential Questions for Spanish

GRADE 8: What does foreign mean?

See a sample curricular unit and lesson plan for this grade

What is a foreigner?

•  What does foreign mean to you?
•  What does a person feel when he/she arrives to a new culture? What is culture shock?
•  What is assimilation?
•  Were our forefathers foreigners? What famous foreign-born are also famous Americans?

Can a foreign history become familiar through art? (a study of the Mexican Revolution through its murals, paintings, and music)

•  Who were the important leaders?
•  What events led to the revolution? What was the result of the revolution?
•  How is the revolution reflected in the art and music of Mexico ?
•  What role did the Americans have in the Mexican Revolution?
•  Did the revolution alter the meaning of foreign in Mexico or the U.S. ?

How has Hispanic immigration transformed the U.S.A. ?

•  Where are Hispanics from? What motivates Hispanic immigration?
•  How are the various Hispanic communities different or similar?
•  Who are famous Hispanics?
•  What Hispanic products are not considered mainstream in the U.S.A. ?

How has globalization affected the meaning of "foreign" in the products that you use today?

•  Where are your daily products from? Are they foreign?
•  Can we survive in an all "made in USA " world?
•  Are "tacos" or "fajitas" just Mexican? Is pizza Italian? A croissant French? What makes these foreign products part of our culture?
•  How does the media influence our perspective on foreign?

Can we experience the meaning of "foreign" through a simulated foreign exchange?

•  What are the steps necessary to go on an exchange?
•  Can you compare your host country to your native country?
•  What are the differences between a foreigner and a native?
•  What is the minimum needed to function in a foreign language?
•  What does a person feel when they arrive in a foreign country or culture?
•  How has this experience enriched you as a person?

Curricular Units & Lesson Plans

What is foreign?
International Trade
Hispanics in the USA
Mexican Muralists
A Foreign Exchange