Finding the Facts

Exploring Spain

A WebQuest Activity for Spanish Level 1

Rachel Pons

Introduction Task Sources Process Guidance Conclusion

This activity is designed to familiarize you with the geography and culture of Spain. As you proceed through this WebQuest, you will gain more knowledge about the people, the land, the food, and the culture.

Task

Your task is to navigate through this WebQuest activitiy, which will guide you to reach a more thorough understanding of Spain's culture. After completing this WebQuest, use the information that you have found to write a 4-5 page paper about Spain's geography and culture, as well as a poster that includes pictures and details about Spain's geography and culture.

According to ACTFL and their standards for K-12 Foreign Language Education, students need to gain an understanding of other cultures. This activity satisfies the following standards:

ACTFL Standards for Foreign Language Learning, Standard 2.1 & 2.2, Spanish, grades K-12:

Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.

ACTFL Standards for Foreign Language Learning, Standard 3.2, Spanish, grades K-12:

Connect with other Disciplines and Acquire Information

Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.

ACTFL Standards for Foreign Language Learning, Standard 4.2, Spanish, grades K-12:

Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture

Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

Sources

ACTFL. (2004). National standards project. Retrieved March 22, 2004, from http://www.actfl.org/public/articles/details.cfm?id=33

Batista. (1997). Paella. Retrieved March 23, 2004, from http://www.batista.org/paella.html

CIA. (2004). CIA-The world factbook. Retrieved March 22, 2004, from http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/flags/sp-flag.html

Don Quijote. (2004). The art and the history of bull fighting in Spain. Retrieved March 23, 2004, from http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/bullfight/

The Running of the Bulls.net. (2004). Pamplona, Spain and the fiesta at San Fermin. Retrieved March 23, 2004, from http://www.therunningofthebulls.net/

Lonely Planet Online. (2003). Spain travel. Retrieved March 23, 2004, from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/spain/index.htm

Process

Your directions are as follows: Following the links to websites provided, you are to gain a more thorough understanding of Spain's culture, geography, and people. The information in the websites will guide you in your effort to writing the assigned 4-5 page paper about Spain's geography, culture, and people. In addition to the paper, you are to create a poster with details and pictures of Spain's culture and geography. This can include anything from traditional Spanish meals to Spain's architecture. Be as creative as you wish and use any information that you find on the websites provided in this activity.

To begin, click on the Spanish flag at the beginning of this WebQuest for a detailed description of the meaning behind Spain's flag.

Use the following link to research Spain's geography, population, and general facts. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html

Below is a map of Spain. Click on the different cities of Spain on the map to find out some practical and useful information about each city.

How about some history about Spain? Use this link for a condensed history lesson. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/spain/history.htm

The culture of Spain is quite unique and Spaniards take much pride in their customs. Follow this link to read about Spain's culture and customs. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/spain/culture.htm

Bullfighting is one of the best known customs of Spain. Click on the picture of the bullfighter to learn about the origins of bullfighting.

The "running of the bulls" in Pamplona, Spain is a world-known event. What is it all about? Click on the picture to learn about this unusual Spanish tradition.

The Running of the Bulls

Everyone loves to eat! Spain has a very rich and tasty cuisine. One of the most well known Spanish dishes is Paella. Click on the picture to discover a mouth-watering temptation!

Paella

Now that you have explored some culture and history of Spain, it is time to begin your paper and the creation of your poster. You are not limited to only the information in the links and websites in this WebQuest activity. You may conduct your own search in various search engines such as www.google.com or www.yahoo.com to research Spain. Remember, your paper should be about 4-5 pages double-spaced covering Spain's history, culture, geography, and customs. Be as creative as you wish with your poster. Use pictures, facts, and any other significant Spanish information that you choose. Good luck and enjoy!

Guidance

Reflection

PURPOSE - The purpose of this project is to familiarize students with the geography, culture, history, and people of Spain. The students will acquire knowledge about Spain as they complete this WebQuest activity. The links to websites found within this activity will provide the necessary information to write their paper.

PRECEDING AND ENSUING EVENTS OF INSTRUCTION - Prior to this activity, students should have an understanding of basic web navigation. After the WebQuest activity is completed and the students' papers and posters are submitted as well, each student will present his/her poster to the class.

IMPROVEMENT ON LEARNING - This activity will improve learning in a couple of ways. First, it will give students an opportunity to learn about Spain and conduct research outside of the standard textbook. Second, it will provide a guide to students on using the Internet for future research projects.

ACTIVITY IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION - This WebQuest activity could be expanded by having students link their research papers to the WebQuest's online site. This way, students can have the experience of putting their own work on the Internet for others to read.

Conclusion

In this activity, you were able to research Spain's geography, culture, food, and traditional customs all on the Internet. Maybe one day in the future, each of you will have the opportunity to visit Spain and experience all of the things that you have researched first-hand. After working through this WebQuest, writing your research paper, and creating your poster, you should have a solid base of knowledge about Spain that can only grow as you continue your Spanish education.