1. Lesson 2.1: Introduction to Spanish-speaking Cultures
The Speaking Cultures
Lesson 2.1: Introduction to Spanish-speaking Cultures

2. Essential Question
What are your perceptions of Spanish-speaking cultures?

3. Activation
Do you know which countries have populations that speak Spanish?
Is there anyone whose family is from a Spanish-speaking country?
Does anyone in the class currently have family living in a Spanish-speaking country?
Has anyone visited a Spanish-speaking country?

4. Media Literacy
Media literacy is the ability to use informed and critical thinking skills to analyze mass media in a way to comprehend how various media work, have meaning, are organized, and build reality.

5. Examining Media
You will have 10 minutes to total to examine three pictures.
Interpret what you see in the pictures in your notes.
After 10 minutes, you will compare your interpretations with your partner and record how they are different.

9. Website Literacy
With the advent of the World Wide Web, information is readily available to students for study and research initiatives.
With the variety of websites, how do you know which ones are valid and reliable sources of information?

10. China Shopping for Latin American Oil
You will read the handout “China Shopping for Latin American Oil” and answer the questions on the accompanying worksheet.

11. Current Event Journal
Choose a Spanish-speaking country and research one current event that has happened within that country in the last year.
You will need to locate the region/city in which the event occurred and summarize the event in your journal.