Spanish 102:   End of Semester Plans

Mala suerte :  

We have been reading the short novel Mala suerte, and you have been answering questions over the reading in order to assure comprehension and facilitate analysis.   We will continue with this process, with this difference:   For chapters 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 + epílogo, I want you to write summaries (resúmenes) based on the questionnaires which I will continue to put online.   The resúmenes should be typed and double-spaced.   Include at the end of your resúmenes a list of three words from each summarized chapter, with their definitions in Spanish.   These should be words that are important to the understanding of the chapter and should be different from those included in the glossary at the back of the book.  

The resúmenes will be due on the class day after we have discussed the material, so read the chapters carefully using the cuestionario, participate in class discussion, and ask questions to make sure you understand everything well before you write.

Final exam :  

Written exam:   We will have a few short-answer questions on Mala suerte, and:

Presentations :   Please prepare a short skit (about 3 minutes long) with one or two other students to be presented during the final exam period, before the written questions.   Be creative and use your imagination!   Try to incorporate as many grammar and vocabulary elements from this semester as you can.   You can include props, costumes, and music if you'd like.   Each member of the group should have an equal length of speaking time.   Accuracy and pronunciation are important, so practice!

Step one :   group members decide on a topic and write their script.   This is due on Monday, April 28.

Step two :   Students make any necessary changes to script and turn in the revised version on the last day of class.   Final version due the day of the final exam (Wednesday, May 7).

Step three :   Practice, and presentation on Wednesday, May 7.

Topics  

Option 1 :   prepare a skit based on Mala suerte.   You can revise a scene from one of the chapters, invent the pre-quel or sequel to the book, or create a scene based on what you imagine happens during the transition from one chapter to the next.

Option 2 :   Prepare a skit based on topics from Chapters 5 - 9 of Puntos.   Here are some suggestions, but feel free to revise them or come up with something different.  

·   A well-known expert explains weather -related changes due to global warming.   A reporter asks skeptical questions.

·   You make travel arrangements to go to Cancún or other tropical resort.   The trip turns out to be a disaster.

·   A person complains about his/her childhood to a bartender who is/is not sympathetic.

·   You see an old boyfriend/girlfriend at a restaurant and introduce him/her to your new romantic interest.

·   You present a cooking demonstration of a typical Hispanic or American dish (using commands).

·   You present a TV advertisement for several modern household appliances which are guaranteed to save many hours of labor.

·   You plan a party to celebrate a special occasion:   you need to clean, cook, invite the guests, make small talk, etc.

·   All your friend (or boyfriend/girlfriend) talks about is sports--you try to change the subject while in the middle of a football game.

·   Your roommate refuses to clean his/her room, or wash clothes, or do anything but party, listen to music you hate, and talk on the phone.   You are angry.