Spanish Class Dream House Project

Spanish class dream house project is the perfect way for your Spanish students to show off their new vocabulary for the homes & housing unit

Students can really have FUN and get CREATIVE with this project!

I have always loved this project as a supplement for the Homes / Housing Unit! My students have always gotten a kick out of dreaming up an original house to show off to the class, all while using their newly acquired Spanish vocabulary! I hope your students have as much fun with this project as mine have had!

Set your students up for success!

  • Show your students examples of floor plans for a variety of housing types from all over the world, and the imaginary world too! 

  • A couple of websites I LOVE are IDEALISTA and FOTOCASA for houses here in Spain.

2.  Decide how much of a floor plan you would like your students to create and submit to you. Do you want them to just submit a kitchen plan because you’re working on kitchen vocabulary? Or a whole home plan, including the garage and gardens or surrounding area? 

 
  •  There are house floor planners available online & via apps for students who would like to plan their homes digitally (rather than drawing them out on paper by hand). IKEA has floor planners, and another one I found is called FLOOR PLAN CREATOR and is available online or via app. 
3. Be specific and show examples. 
 
  • An example is included in my Spanish Class Dream House Project instructions. You can also find interesting floor plans on Pinterest.
4. Let your students be CREATIVE! 

Maybe your kiddos are totally into Minecraft (right??). Let your Minecraft obsessed students create their floor plans in Minecraft! They may not be able to label everything in Spanish within the game, but they can do a walk through of the house and say each of the objects out loud as a presentation for the class.

If you have a mermaid lover in your class, perhaps they want to design an underwater house! Or… a fairy realm, a house made of clouds, a spaceship, etc! Let your students create what they like & you will be amazed a their creativity!

But remember – You don’t have to recreate the wheel! 

😉

My Spanish Class Dream House Project has everything you need to run this project smoothly in your upper elementary, middle school, and high school Spanish classes! 

Even more resources for the SPANISH HOMES & HOUSING UNIT!

Looking for AWESOME Spanish COMPREHENSIBLE INPUT READINGS? Check these out!

Meet CI Author A.C. Quintero

Do your middle school and high school Spanish students LOVE readings with a bit of mystery?

You will definitely want to get to know the author, A. C. Quintero, author of fifteen Spanish readers (and counting!) that are perfect for your Spanish class FVR Library! 

I asked Profesora Quintero few questions to get to know her and her inspiration as an author. Read on to get to know Ms. Quintero and her work too!

With titles like, ‘Las Apariencias Engañan,’ ‘El Escape,’ and ‘La Pasajera Misteriosa,’ it’s no wonder students LOVE her books!

Profesora Quintero has graciously gifted us six of her readers to give away during our 2023 ‘Spanish Teachers LOVE to Read’ giveaway to help you grow your Spanish class Free Voluntary Reading Library! (ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!)

1. La Clase de Confesiones – Level 1 Spanish 

Themes: Relationships, school life, adolescent life, friendship, first love, school crushes

2. Feliz Cumpleaños – Level 1 Spanish 

Themes: Birthdays, relationships, school life,dealing with bullies, sports, adolescent life, friendships, overcoming fear, believing in oneself

3. La Obsesión Digital – Level 2 Spanish

Themes: Family relationships, food, relationship, technology, and cellphone addiction, intergenerational relationships

 

4. La Pasajera Misteriosa – Level 2 Spanish

Themes: Family, divorce, recovery, anger-management, finding friendship, personal growth, sports, travel

 

5. Las apariencias Engañan – Level 3+ Spanish

Themes: Relationships, betrayal, secrets, keeping appearances, school life, bickering teens

 

6. El Escape – Level 3+ Spanish

Themes: Technology addiction, decisions, teen life, crime thriller

1. Have you always wanted to be an author? 

I never really considered myself an author/writer, but I did notice my knack for storytelling  as a highschooler.  When we’d go to Mississippi for summer vacation, I’d hypnotize my cousins with stories from Chicago about the school, kids, relationships; basically, whatever made them laugh. I remember being aware of how to capture my audience, pacing the story, and prepping ford the punchline. 

Furthermore, during my senior year of highschool, I had a commitment group of friends who’d ask me to cheer them up with one of my famous stories. It was usually about some wacky date I had gone on. There was a story in particular that became one of my greatest hits: the guy in the banana-colored car. Earlier that year, I had gone out on a date with a guy from my cousin’s neighborhood (she had introduced us). After months of talking on the phone (no texting back then, but I did have a beeper!), he and I had agreed to meet up near a pizzeria. As I approached the banana-colored car, I noticed that he had brought his mother and sister along. The date was literally being chaperoned! It was so wild. He was probably 17 with a car. I was 16, so it was the source of a lot of laughter. I believe that my storytelling skills were honed during this time, and it’s perhaps my best tool in the powerbelt for teaching. We never finish a lesson on time because I am always telling some funny story. 

2.  When / why did you first start writing Spanish language books?

I started writing books in Spanish approximately 5 years ago. In fact, the first book I wrote was Cómo salir de la zona de Amigos, but not the first one published. At the time, there was a sheer lack of representative characters and narratives. I live and work in Chicago, and I remember reading some CI books and not really feeling a personal connection, even though they were comprehensible. My opportunity to write actually came when I had a really interesting class. What I was doing wasn’t working, so I decided to create “La clase de confesiones” to highlight the vocabulary and structures I wanted them to acquire. When I saw their reaction to the story it made me feel like I had reached them on some level. I worked arduously to learn how I could publish the book so other students would have a great experience reading. 

My mission from then on was to write books with a wide range of characters with a variety of experience- and not just the stereotypical drama.  This is precisely what I have tried to do with book such as La clase de confesiones, La bella mentira, El último viaje (all of which feature Black and Afrolatinx characters, which was very scarce at the time I started writing). 

3. What, to you, are the most important elements of a good Spanish language book for 2nd language acquisition?

From my own experience it is compelling high interest content that facilitates acquisition while reading. This has also been corroborated by research. When we read or listen to content that is compelling, it’s easier for acquisition to take root.

 Secondly, the content should have some type of personal connection. It has to connect to the lives of the students. This is one of the reasons why so many of my books take place in settings that are familiar to students (school, neighborhood, classroom), and the topics connect to their lives. Who doesn’t have a school crush, like Carlos Solis en La clase de confesiones? Who hasn’t made an unwise decision about uploading a silly prank or something they’d come to regret on social media, as the boy in the novel El escape? Who hasn’t felt the pressure of making extremely agonizing choices, such as Valeria, in El último viaje? Who’s day hasn’t been totally derailed by a text message, like Adán in El mensaje. And lastly, who doesn’t like a juicy (but appropriate) tale of betrayal similar to the unearthed secrets in Las apariencias?  

These stories resonate with students because they feel the joy, the pain, the hurt, and suspicion of the characters; it’s very real for them. Lastly, making sure the book is comprehensible adds enormously to the equation, however,  I also think that interest does outweigh comprehensibility on some levels. I have seen this in my class at times where students would choose a book like El escape, they’d read, and get so hooked that they’d flip back and forth from the glossary.  I even had some of my Spanish IV students challenge themselves to read La Casa en Mango during Free Voluntary Reading. I used to read Andrew Weil’s books in Spanish, and because I was very interested in the topic of health, I would look up words. That is not ideal for a classroom setting, but students who are quite taken by a story that is more will go the extra mile regardless of level. 

4. Which of your characters do you relate to the most? Why?

First off, I love this question! I mostly relate to Carlos Solis from the series “La clase de confesiones.” Truth be told, many of the embarrassing events in the book constituted my middle school and high school experience. Most of the teachers in both La clase de confesiones and its sequel La bella mentira (my favorite book!) are based on real teachers- even the ones that end up dating (spoiler alert). On a positive note,Carlos walks to fire, his character is put on trial, but he prevails in the end; my real life crush rejected me freshman year. Years later, when the tables were turned, he tried to rekindle that flame; but that wick had burned its last string. “Buddy, you had your chance!”  

5. What kinds of books do you like to read?

I love to read biographies, historical fiction, and books about the Black or Afro-Latinx experiences. I am reading “Indómita” by the Afro-Boricua writer Dalma LLanos-Figueroa. I have an ongoing blog post with my favorite books: 

https://wordpress.com/post/acquinterobooks.wordpress.com/1199

6. Describe your ideal writing space / atmosphere. How do you prepare to write? (Do you go to a specific room of your house? Grab a cup of coffee/tea? Go to Starbucks or the library?)

I love writing in coffee shops! I found this new one near my house. I usually listen to one of the Youtube mixes below, and I work. 

Profeosra Quintero’s reading, writing, and coffee space. ☺️

Connect with Profesora Quintero around the internet:

🐦  Twitter: @klasekastellano 
 
📸  Instagram: @a.c.quintero 
 
💻  Blog: https://acquinterobooks.wordpress.com/
 
📚  Facebook Group: CLICK HERE 
Free WEEK of Spanish lessons about Paella

Free WEEK of Spanish Lessons

Free WEEK of Spanish lessons

Grab your free WEEK of Spanish lessons including a Spanish Comprehensible Input Reading about PAELLA! 🥘

¡Hola Profe!

Have you been searching for COMPREHENSIBLE INPUT resources, but not sure where to start or how to implement them? I think you will ❤️this free WEEK of Spanish lessons! I’ve included step-by-step lesson plan examples for Spanish teachers with tons of ideas on how to use all of the printables and supplements included in this FREE download.

Free WEEK of Spanish lessons about Paella

DECIDE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

A lot of supplements are included with this free download, but that doesn’t mean you have to use them all! Decide what will work for you and your Spanish students. If you’re short on time, choose the 1 day lesson plan example. Or, if you don’t feel like you have any time at all, save this as an emergency substitute lesson for your Spanish classes.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS INCLUDED

Everything you will need is included! You can guide your Spanish students through learning the vocabulary & set them up for success by pre-teaching the Spanish vocabulary that is most important to know to understand the reading. Spanish word searches and Spanish vocabulary matching puzzles are included as well as a student vocabulary mini poster. There are 2 versions of the reading in Spanish, and both are suitable for Spanish 1 (with teacher led support) and up!

READING, WRITING, SPEAKING

Students practice reading comprehension with the lectura about PAELLA and the Spanish comprehension questions provided. Students also practice writing as they answer the questions. Students practice reading & speaking with the conversation task cards included. 

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

After completing the lesson, you can choose to add extension activities of your own! A few examples:

  • Watch a YouTube video about PAELLA
  • Analyze an infographic (Find Spanish class Infographics here!) about PAELLA
  • Students could create their own infographic about PAELLA
  • Students could draw a short story about cooking PAELLA and illustrate it.
  • Students could choose another food from Spain to research and present about.
Free Spanish CI Reading Resource
free Spanish lesson about PAELLA

LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE COMPREHENSIBLE READING RESOURCES FOR SPANISH 1, 2, & UP? Check these out!

 

Interested in a FREE GAME to practice LA HORA with your Spanish students? Check out the link below! 

Free Spanish Class time game LA HORA
Spanish Teacher Appreciation Week GIVEAWAY

Spanish Teacher Appreciation Week GIVEAWAY 2022 TpT Gift Card

Spanish Teacher Appreciation Week Giveaway TpT Gift Cards

It’s almost TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2022! 🥰

(lunes 2 mayo – viernes 6 mayo)

We know how hard you are working today and every day and we want to give back to our community in celebration of YOU and everything you do to help students learn world languages!

We have several gift cards to giveaway to help you choose just the right lessons for your classes from TeachersPayTeachers

                                                                                    😄 $5 TpT gift card

                                                                                    😄 $10 TpT gift card

                                                                                    😄 $10 TpT gift card

                                                                                    😁 $25 TpT gift card

🍀🍀 There are LOTS of ways to enter below! 

Some entries you can claim once a day, so be sure to come back again tomorrow to claim more entries!

Giveaway rules:

Giveaway runs from Sunday, April 24th to to midnight on Sunday, May 1st, 2022. 

Open to World Language Teachers worldwide, must be at least 18.

Winners will be chosen on Monday, May 2nd, 2022 and contacted by email.

Giveaway not sponsored by nor endorsed by Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TpT.

Spanish Lesson Suggestions Save BIG with BUNDLES

We 💜 saving money with BUNDLES of resources! Here are 2 of our FAVORITE bundles!

We wish you ¡BUENA SUERTE! in the giveaway! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Spanish Teacher Appreciation Week GIVEAWAY
FREE Spanish Game for Spanish students to practice LA HORA

FREE Spanish GAME for practicing TIME la hora en la clase de español

Free GAME for practicing TIME in Spanish Classes

¡Hola Profe!

Have I told you lately how HAPPY I am that we’ve found each other? 🥰 I love connecting with world language teachers around the globe.🌎
 
Have you joined me yet over on INSTAGRAM? I love sharing photos of my life here in Spain and would love to connect with you there too!📸
 
My hope is to connect with even more new teacher friends and was wondering if you’d help me spread the word? 👯 I have a no prep, no stress FREE Spanish lesson for you for helping share about what I have to offer! Just click the image below to see how you can share!👇 

This no prep, no stress Spanish class GAME is a fun way to practice LA HORA / TIME with your Spanish students! Teacher instructions are included.🧠 It’s perfect for upper elementary, middle school, AND high school Spanish classes!

THANK YOU so much for sharing about my resources! I hope you have fun with this free Spanish resource! 💗

Lectura de ABRIL CI Reading for Spanish Students

Spanish Spring ABRIL CI Comprehensible Input Reading

Spanish CI Reading for Spring
Lectura de ABRIL CI Reading for Spanish Students

Happy SPRING, profes! 

Are you on the lookout for a Spanish CI Reading with TONS of PRIMAVERA vocabulary🌻

My Spanish CI LECTURA DE ABRIL is FULL of resources and supplementary teaching materials perfect for Spanish 1 & 2 students!

I’ve recently UPDATED this set of resources with additional, FUN supplements that I think you will love! 

  • preteach Spanish SPRING vocabulary with print and digital GAMES included!
  • 2 versions of a Spanish CI Reading
  • 2 versions of comprehension questions
  • 2 Google Forms(tm) Quizzes
  • 18 conversation task cards
  • student follow up writing activity
  • teacher background slides too!

NEW!

  • a pre-teaching activity word search (new!)
  • 18 conversation task cards! (new!)
  • 3 pages of lesson plan instructions! (new!)
 

This set of Spanish resources helps familiarize students with some important Spanish vocabulary words to know for SPRING / PRIMAVERA🌸 Spanish students acquire new vocabulary for the month of ABRIL, learning about:

The best part? This has everything you need for an entire WEEK of lessons! Lesson plans are included for 3-5 days of lessons.
😄 
 
You can completely tailor these lessons to fit YOUR classroom needs too! You could use just the vocabulary games, or just the reading, or just the writing activity for a 1 day lesson too, or sprinkle the activities throughout the whole month of APRIL!😉
 
The activities in this set are also perfect for:
  • class starters / closers
  • brain breaks
  • emergency sub plans for APRIL

Do you love using Spanish CI Readings in class? Check out this BUNDLE for ALL 12 MONTHS of the year! 

 

12 months of done for you Spanish lessons to help your Spanish students gain confidence in their reading abilities!

Spanish Teacher Giveaway

Spanish Teacher TpT Gift Card Giveaway

Spanish Teacher Gift Card Giveaway

Do you❤️using Comprehensible input readings with your Spanish students to help them acquire new vocabulary & practice their reading comprehension skills?

The➡️LECTURA DE MARZO has just been updated!🌈 And it is PERFECT for exposing your students to targeted vocabulary for the month of MARCH!🍀

PLUS Spanish Teacher Lesson Plans are also included for up to 4 days of stress-free lessons!🧠

  • preteach vocabulary with print and digital GAMES included!
  • 2 versions of a Spanish CI Reading
  • 2 versions of comprehension questions
  • 2 Google Forms(tm) Quizzes
  • 18 conversation task cards
  • student follow up writing activity
  • teacher background slides too!

NEW!

  • a pre-teaching activity word search (new!)
  • 18 conversation task cards! (new!)
  • 3 pages of lesson plan instructions! (new!)

HAVE YOU TRIED MY MONTHLY SPANISH CI READINGS? 😄

This set of Spanish resources helps familiarize students with some important vocabulary words to know for El Día de San Patricio! Spanish students acquire new vocabulary for the month of MARZO, learning about: St. Patrick’s Day, Leprechauns, Spring, Dates, Weather, and Activities to do in the Spring. (El Día de San Patricio, Los Duendes, La Primavera, El Tiempo, La Fecha, y Las Actividades de La Primavera)

The best part? This has everything you need for an entire WEEK of lessons! Lesson plans are included for 3-5 days of lessons.😄 
 
You can completely tailor these lessons to fit YOUR classroom needs too! You could use just the vocabulary games, or just the reading, or just the writing activity for a 1 day lesson too, or sprinkle the activities throughout the whole month of MARCH!😉
 
The activities in this set are also perfect for:
  • class starters / closers
  • emergency sub plans for March
  • partner work
Spanish Teacher Giveaway

Hey there, Spanish teacher friends! I want to give back to our community again this month with a 🌈 $25 TpT gift card giveaway! 🍀 There are LOTS of ways to enter below! I will be adding new ways to enter during the week, and some entries you can claim once a day!

 

Giveaway rules:

Giveaway runs from March 3rd, to midnight on March 17th, 2022. 

Open to World Language Teachers worldwide. 

Giveaway not sponsored by nor endorsed by Instagram, Facebook, or TpT.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN MY FULL YEAR OF SPANISH CI READINGS:

12 months of done for you Spanish lessons to help your Spanish students gain confidence in their reading abilities!

These are perfect for end of year Spanish 1 and all Spanish 2 students and above!

Just CLICK HERE to visit the BIG BUNDLE for the whole YEAR!

Lectura de Febrero Spanish CI Reading

Spanish CI Reading for FEBRUARY lectura de febrero

Lectura de Febrero Spanish CI Reading

Happy February, profes! 

Are you on the lookout for a Spanish CI Reading with TONS of Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

My lectura de febrero is jam packed with not only a Spanish CI Reading, but LOTS of supplements to help you teach targeted vocabulary this Valentine’s Day!

I’ve recently UPDATED this set of resources with some FUN supplements that I think you will love! 

💕

  • preteach vocabulary with print and digital GAMES included!
  • 2 versions of a Spanish CI Reading
  • 2 versions of comprehension questions
  • 2 Google Forms(tm) Quizzes
  • 18 conversation task cards
  • student follow up writing activity
  • teacher background slides too!

NEW!

  • a pre-teaching activity word search (new!)
  • 18 conversation task cards! (new!)
  • 3 pages of lesson plan instructions! (new!)
 

HAVE YOU TRIED MY MONTHLY SPANISH CI READINGS? 😄

This set of Spanish resources helps familiarize students with some important vocabulary words to know for El Día de San Valentín! Spanish students acquire new vocabulary for the month of FEBRERO, learning about:

The best part? This has everything you need for an entire WEEK of lessons! Lesson plans are included for 3-5 days of lessons.😄 
 
You can completely tailor these lessons to fit YOUR classroom needs too! You could use just the vocabulary games, or just the reading, or just the writing activity for a 1 day lesson too, or sprinkle the activities throughout the whole month of February!😉
 
The activities in this set are also perfect for:
  • class starters / closers
  • emergency sub plans for February
Spanish CI Reading for Valentines Day

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN MY FULL YEAR OF SPANISH CI READINGS:

12 months of done for you Spanish lessons to help your Spanish students gain confidence in their reading abilities!

 

These are perfect for end of year Spanish 1 and all Spanish 2 students and above!

Just CLICK HERE to visit the BIG BUNDLE for the whole YEAR!

Spanish Comprehensible Input CI Readings
The Stress Free Spanish Teacher Newsletter Subscriber FREEBIES
We LOVE our Spanish Teachers

We LOVE Spanish Teachers Giveaway

Spanish Teacher Valentine's Day Givewaway

¡Hola, Profes! We see you working hard this year😅and we want to show you how much

we 💖 our Spanish teacher community!

We’ve teamed up to offer a 🌟SORTEO🌟with 4 prizes just for you before 💕Valentine’s Day!

 

We have 4 gifts to give away to 4 lucky Spanish teachers!

Scroll to see all of the prizes and to enter! 🥰

💗Teacher Tote & Clutch + $20 TpT gift card

Rosa from Educando Entre Mundos and Tapas for Two Gifts is gifting a super cute teacher tote bag and clutch!

Allison from Mis Clases Locas is gifting a $20 TpT gift card!

💜Galician Lace Earrings + $20 TpT gift card

Sarah (that’s me!) from The Stress Free Spanish Teacher is gifting a pair of handmade Galician lace earrings!

Ashley from Srta Spanish is gifting a $20 TpT gift card!

💗 Handmade Clay Earrings + $20 TpT gift card

Jade from La Secundaria and Eleanor Jade Handmade is gifting a pair of handmade clay earrings!

Erin, from The Spanish Brew is gifting a $20 TpT gift card!

💜Teacher Tee Shirt + $20 TpT gift card

Julie from Stella Claire Shoppe on Etsy & Stella Claire Creations on TpT is gifting a teacher tee shirt!

Erin from The Engaged Spanish Classroom is gifting a $20 TpT gift card!

 

There are 17 ways to enter below!

Giveaway rules:

Giveaway runs from February 5th to midnight on the 8th, 2022. 

Open to World Language Teachers. U.S. residents only. 

Prizes may not be the exact examples shown in the pictures based on availability. T Shirt sizes are XS to XXL.

Winners will be chosen at random and contacted via Instagram Direct Message by @thestressfreespanishteacher and must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is not sponsored nor endorsed by Instagram.

Spanish CI Reading for January holidays

Happy New Year Teacher Friends
January CI Reading Spanish

I hope you have had a GREAT start 

to your new year!

Whether you hit the ground running, or are easing back into the swing of things after your Winter Break, I want you to know I’m here for you with lessons to save you time!
 

I wanted to let you know of some updates I’ve made to my January CI Reading that I think you will 💕!

  • preteach vocabulary with print and digital GAMES included!
  • 2 versions of a Spanish CI Reading
  • 2 versions of comprehension questions
  • 2 Google Forms(tm) Quizzes
  • 18 conversation task cards
  • student follow up writing activity
  • teacher background slides too!

NEW!

  • a pre-teaching activity word search (new!)
  • 18 conversation task cards! (new!)
  • 3 pages of lesson plan instructions! (new!)
 

Have you tried my monthly Spanish CI Readings? 😄

This set of Spanish resources helps familiarize students with some important January holidays & winter vocabulary words! Spanish students acquire new vocabulary for the month of ENERO, learning about:

  • La Nochevieja
  • El Año Nuevo
  • El Día de los Reyes Magos
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
  • Winter
The best part? This has everything you need for an entire WEEK of lessons! Lesson plans are included for 3-5 days of lessons.😄

 

You can completely tailor these lessons to fit YOUR classroom needs too! You could use just the vocabulary games, or just the reading, or just the writing activity for a 1 day lesson too!
Spanish Comprehensible Input Lessons for January

You might also be interested in my full YEAR of Spanish CI Readings:

12 months of done for you Spanish lessons to help your Spanish students gain confidence in their reading abilities!

 

These are perfect for end of year Spanish 1 and all Spanish 2 students and above!

Just CLICK HERE to visit the BIG BUNDLE for the whole YEAR!

12 months of Spanish CI Readings
The Stress Free Spanish Teacher Newsletter Subscriber FREEBIES