Meet CI Author A.C. Quintero
/in Uncategorized/by adminDo 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
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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.

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.


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!

Spanish Teacher Appreciation Week GIVEAWAY 2022 TpT Gift Card
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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.

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!

FREE Spanish GAME for practicing TIME la hora en la clase de español
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¡Hola Profe!




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! 💗
Spanish Spring ABRIL CI Comprehensible Input Reading
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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:

- 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 TpT Gift Card Giveaway
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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)

- class starters / closers
- emergency sub plans for March
- partner work

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!
Spanish CI Reading for FEBRUARY lectura de febrero
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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:

- class starters / closers
- emergency sub plans for February

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!


We LOVE Spanish Teachers Giveaway
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¡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!

💗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
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I hope you have had a GREAT start
to your new year!
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


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!

