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Ideas for Teaching the Book ‘Aquí también’ by Paula Fränkel

AQUÍ TAMBIÉN IS A BEAUTIFUL BOOK BY ARGENTINIAN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PAULA FRÄNKEL, highlighting what we have in common, even when we are in different places. I love her illustrations, which I read in an interview she participated in, were inspired by art from El Salvador, and her simple storyline which is both sweet and sublime at the same time. I’ve decided to create a mixed post of text and video to provide explanation and ideas on how to teach this book in class. And for more information about developing a theme from a picture book, read my post here

Ideas for Teaching Aquí también in Spanish Class

MY PRIMARY GOAL FOR THIS BOOK IS DISCOVERY: Commonalities exist across places and peoples. My FRAME to start with is the question: I wonder if things are the same or different in other places? (Outside our town/state) Along with this goal, I intentionally create opportunities within this set of lessons to further representation & shift established concepts such as family via the visuals I've designed, just as I do in all of my lessons. See link below!

THOUGH THERE IS LIMITED TEXT IN THE BOOK, it still contains some low frequency vocabulary, which makes it more challenging to teach to novice learners in the target language as is. As I mention in the video, I have modified some of the text to be more comprehensible for my students, while still maintaining the message. Here are my modified storylines:

Modifying the text of Aquí también to make it more comprehensible

Page 1: Acá sale el sol. Aquí también.
Page 2: Acá sale la luna. Aquí también.
Page 3: I eliminated this page as it was challenging to make comprehensible & doesn’t detract from the message if not read
Page 4: Acá sopla el viento. Aquí también.
Page 5: Acá crecen las flores. Aquí también.
Page 6: Acá corre el agua. Aquí también.
Page 7: Acá todos somos familias. Aquí también.
Page 8: Acá hay amor. Aquí también.
Page 9: Pero señor, es imposible. Usted vive al otro lado del mundo. Usted también.

Here is the video with MORE TIPS:


NOTE: for heritage speakers, this book is obviously to be read without alteration in the text. If you have a mixed class of heritage and non heritage speakers, finding opportunities for heritage speakers to hear and/or read the original is definitely a goal- you might even consider having them listen to this version of the book shared as a song-click here!

DON’T FORGET TO SHARE A PHOTO OF PAULA when introducing the book! I believe it's so important for our students to see the faces of authors & illustrators when we are reading books, especially if they are #ownvoices. You can read more on my post here

FOR THE SET OF VISUALS TO AID IN TEACHING THIS BOOK mentioned in the video, click here!

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMk0RMH8MFmOB_yJMuvVMH7xBx_qfLl8oqOQXbA