Ven+Conmigo

Post activities and supplemental materials that you have created to accompany the V//en Conmigo!// textbook here.

I used this activity to go with Ven Conmigo chapter 9 section 1, which teaches formal commands.

This activity was done with a) the administration's permission and b) because the Spanish 3 sections are small class sizes and we knew they would follow directions properly.

Day 1: I divided the class into two groups. The first group was responsible for each writing directions from our classroom to anywhere in the school using the Ud. command form. They actually left the classroom and wrote the directions as they went. They were to use not the shortest distance, but instead write a crazy non-direct route around the school. At the ending point, they posted a sticky note with their name on it so that the person who was going to follow the directions knew they had found their ending point. The other group sat in class and I gave them a written activity.

When the first group had returned, they gave their directions to a person in the second group, who then followed the directions. Everyone was able to find the ending points.

Day 2: Group #2 writes directions this time and Group #1 follows.

This activity was a blast for the students. They loved the idea of going into the halls and being creative. This class also has to write journals each week (a separate activity for a grade) and a large number of them wrote about this activity and how much fun it was. Since I have a mentor in the room, I was able to go out into the halls and monitor the students. I found they were actually doing what they were supposed to be doing and trying to make the directions challenging!

user:KMaiolatesi

I used this activity with Ven conmigo, Level 2, Chapter 5.
 * Informal Commands**

The vocabulary for the chapter deals with sports and health, so I designed a sports drink ad using informal commands. The students received a template for a bottle and these instructions: they had to write an ad, similar to Nike's "Just Do It", revolving around sports & health. They had to have five commands on their ads, and the ads had to be colored. I gave them the examples of "Hazlo" and "No seas flojo" for some irregular, as well as "Bebe lo mejor" and "No bebas otro" for affirmative and negative commands.

There were some challenges with this, and the product did not turn out exactly like I wanted, and, in hindsight, I would do a few things differently. First, make sure that the students understand exactly what kind of commands I am talking about. I thought that the students would understand exactly what kind of ads I was talking about, and even after modeling in English and Spanish, they didn't quite get it (I got a few "Don't add salt", which is one of their vocab phrases). Also, many students did not quite get the concept of the sports ad that commands you to do things (i.e., Play harder, Just do it, etc.) Many people put ad catch phrases like "It's the best!" or "So delicious!" on their projects. I helped some students get out of this rut by checking them the day before they were due quickly, and pointing out errors. Another way to get around this is to have the students working on them in class--I just didn't have time for that.

However, I did get some really nice products, too (I'm going to scan one and post it here on Monday, with the student's permission), and would do it again. user:armst136

This is an activity for levels 3-4. I thought of 10 different tasks for the group (things that they know how to do): Wrap a present (wrapping paper, scissors, tape) Put music on your ipod (an ipod, music?) Dance Souldja boy (the actual song? hmm...) - or a cleaner song (backstreet boys?) Make a costume (paper, tape, scissors) Tie a shoe (tennis shoe) Get ready for a dance (a dance shoe, makeup) Get good grades in Spanish class (notebook, pencil) Get ready for school (towel, toothbrush) Play soccer......ETC (soccer ball)
 * All Commands**

Put the students in groups of 3 people. They group has to come up with instructions on how to complete each task. They should decide on who their audience is (tu, usted, ustedes...). Each set of instructions should include 10 commands: 6 positive (2 irreg), and 4 negative. Then we had groups present the instructions, while another group performed the commands. For example, the group that created the instructions of how to get ready for a dance would read the instructions to another group (in front of the class) and the group being instructed would act it out. Also - the students are going to find new words in the dictionary (like the word for wrapping paper), and they should tell the class the meanings before beginning their presentation. Bring in realia - they love it!! user:emilylewis

I used this with Ven Conmigo, chapter 5, level 2

The 10 Commandments:

Have each student write the “10 Commandments of…” I made a poster of the “10 Commandments of being a horrible student” and then as a guided practice we will come up with the “10 Commandments of being a great student” together in class. The students have to put them on a poster (something bigger than an 8x10 paper) and they need to use at least 4 negative commands. user:dawnmarie