Author Description

EntreCulturas 1: Communicate, Explore, and Connect Across Cultures is the first book in a ground-breaking Spanish language and culture textbook series. EntreCulturas 1 is designed for novice Spanish learners in middle or high school. In this level, students build the language skills, the personal attitudes, and the cultural insights necessary to experience life entre culturas, using Spanish to connect with people. There are seven units in EntreCulturas 1, an introductory unit and six additional units. The units in level one may be divided for use over two years of middle school instruction. EntreCulturas 1, novice-low to novice-high, provides: Proficiency-Driven Pedagogy The EntreCulturas series both vertically and horizontally articulates with target proficiency levels. Unit performance goals and essential questions align with the World Readiness Standards; and, formative and integrated performance assessments align with unit goals and essential questions. Activities and learning experiences support each unit s IPA. The sequence of activities and learning experiences move students to the next proficiency level. Students learn grammar and vocabulary through the dialogic and co-constructive strategies. Activities have communicative and intercultural reflections and can-do statements. Authentic, Cultural Understanding Authentic resources are included in each unit, including texts created by Spanish speakers for Spanish speakers. Each unit opens with a cultural comparison between a Spanish-speaking country and a state in the U.S. Students will even investigate the dialects, accents, and differences between Chile, Paraguay, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries. Culturally relevant and linguistically authentic activities strengthen the student's confidence, enthusiasm, and interest in the Spanish language and culture, encouraging them to continue to pursue the study of this valuable language and culture. From the beginn