Vamos a Volar!!!
(We are going to fly!)
October-December
¿A dónde vamos?
(Where are we going?)
La Prehistoria
Fosiles
Argentina
Argentinosaurus
Level: Novice Spanish
Length: 1–2 weeks (can be adjusted)
Theme: Science in Spanish – Fossils and the past
¿Qué son los fósiles y qué nos dicen del pasado?
(What are fossils and what do they tell us about the past?)
By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
Identify and describe basic types of fossils in Spanish.
Say where fossils are found (e.g., en la tierra, en las rocas).
Express simple facts about fossils using short sentences.
Compare past and present life (e.g., dinosaurios vs. animales hoy).
Create a simple project about fossils (drawing, labeling, or mini-report).
el fósil / los fósiles
el dinosaurio
el hueso (bone)
la roca (rock)
el diente (tooth)
el pez (fish)
la planta (plant)
el insecto (insect)
el pasado (the past)
hoy (today)
encontrar (to find)
descubrir (to discover)
Structures for novices:
“Es un/una…”
“Hay…”
“Yo veo…”
“El fósil es de…”
“En el pasado había…”
Fossils in Latin America: dinosaur sites in México (Coahuila, Chiapas) and Argentina (Patagonia).
Indigenous perspectives: fossils often seen as sacred or mysterious objects.
Famous dinosaur: Argentinosaurus, discovered in Argentina.
Hook / Intro
Show pictures of fossils (dinosaur bones, plants, insects in amber).
Ask: “¿Qué ves?” (Students respond with “un hueso, un dinosaurio, una roca”).
Vocabulary Exploration
Use realia or images. Students practice with flashcards, memory games, and labeling.
Listening & Reading
Read a short text: “Un fósil es muy viejo. Es un hueso en una roca. Los fósiles nos dicen: había dinosaurios en el pasado.”
Students circle words they understand and draw a quick sketch.
Speaking Practice
Pair work: Students look at fossil pictures and say: “Es un fósil de planta” or “Es un diente de dinosaurio.”
Practice asking/answering: “¿Qué es?” – “Es un fósil de pez.”
Compare Past and Present
Sentence frames: “En el pasado había dinosaurios. Hoy hay elefantes.”
Students make simple comparisons using animals they know.
Mini Project (Assessment)
Option A: Draw a fossil (real or imaginary) and label it in Spanish.
Option B: Create a simple mini-poster: “Mi fósil favorito” with 3 short sentences (e.g., Es un hueso. Es de dinosaurio. El dinosaurio vivía en el pasado.).
Formative: Vocabulary games, oral Q&A, matching pictures with words.
Summative: Final mini-project (drawing + sentences) OR oral presentation of a fossil picture.
Science connection: Link to fossil formation and paleontology.
Art: Make “fossils” using clay, leaves, or shells and label in Spanish.
Music: Learn a fun song about dinosaurs in Spanish
What do paleontologists do?
Paleontologists are people who look for, unearth, and study fossils.
How do characters respond to major events?
Characters respond in different ways to major events and challenges in books.
What can we learn from studying fossils?
Fossils can help us understand what plants and animals lived long ago and how the earth has changed.
How do readers learn more about a topic from informational texts?
Readers use different strategies to learn about a topic from informational text.
How do authors write compelling narratives?
Writers use various writing techniques to tell compelling stories.
Unit Theme: Ciencia en español – Los fósiles y el pasado
Level: Novice Spanish
Length: Oct 13–Dec 12, 2025 (M–F, except Nov 4, 26–28)
Essential Focus: What are fossils?
Mon 10/13: Hook – pictures of fossils. Phrases: “¿Qué ves?” – “Yo veo…”
Tue 10/14: Vocabulary intro (el fósil, el hueso, la roca, el dinosaurio). Matching & memory game.
Wed 10/15: Reading short text about fossils. Draw to show comprehension.
Thu 10/16: Speaking: “Es un/una…” with fossil images. Pair practice.
Fri 10/17: Review game (Bingo / Kahoot). Quick oral check: “¿Qué es?”
Essential Focus: Where are fossils found?
Mon 10/20: Add vocab: la planta, el insecto, el pez. Label diagrams.
Tue 10/21: Listening practice – teacher reads short descriptions, students match to picture.
Wed 10/22: Cultural connection – fossils in México & Argentina. Map activity.
Thu 10/23: Speaking practice: “Es un fósil de…” Students classify fossils.
Fri 10/24: Review & mini-quiz (ID & label 5 fossils).
Essential Focus: Fossil discovery.
Mon 10/27: New verbs: encontrar, descubrir. Role play “paleontologists.”
Tue 10/28: Listening/reading – “Los científicos descubren un fósil en la roca.” Circle words.
Wed 10/29: Speaking Q&A: “¿Qué es?” – “Es un fósil de diente.”
Thu 10/30: Art activity – create fossil impressions with clay/leaves. Label in Spanish.
Fri 10/31: Game day – “Fossil Hunt” (students find hidden fossil cards, describe in Spanish).
Essential Focus: From fossils to history.
Mon 11/3: Intro to past tense frame: “En el pasado había dinosaurios.”
Wed 11/5: Compare animals: “En el pasado había dinosaurios. Hoy hay…”
Thu 11/6: Reading: dinosaurs vs. modern animals. Sketch comparison.
Fri 11/7: Speaking activity – partner interview: “¿Qué había en el pasado?” “Había dinosaurios.”
Essential Focus: Comparing past and present.
Mon 11/10: Vocab review. Add hoy (today), el pasado.
Tue 11/11: Chart activity – Past vs. Present animals.
Wed 11/12: Cultural – Argentinosaurus in Argentina. Short video or reading.
Thu 11/13: Writing practice: 3 sentences using frames.
Fri 11/14: Review game + exit slip writing (“Hoy hay… En el pasado había…”).
Essential Focus: Putting it together.
Mon 11/17: Mini project intro – “Mi fósil favorito.” Draw + brainstorm sentences.
Tue 11/18: Work day: write 3 simple sentences.
Wed 11/19: Speaking support – practice reading sentences aloud.
Thu 11/20: Cultural review – fossils & indigenous perspectives.
Fri 11/21: Share drafts with partner. Peer feedback.
Mon 11/24: Catch-up & review.
Tue 11/25: Game-based review (Jeopardy / Quizlet Live).
Essential Focus: Final project prep.
Mon 12/1: Review fossil vocabulary.
Tue 12/2: Project work day – finish drawings/posters.
Wed 12/3: Practice oral presentations in pairs.
Thu 12/4: Cultural connection wrap-up – Latin America fossil sites.
Fri 12/5: Informal sharing day (gallery walk).
Essential Focus: Final assessment & reflection.
Mon 12/8: Presentations begin (half the class).
Tue 12/9: Presentations continue.
Wed 12/10: Class discussion – What did we learn about fossils?
Thu 12/11: Review vocabulary through games.
Fri 12/12: Reflection – Students write 3 things they can now say about fossils in Spanish. End-of-unit celebration.
Assessments:
Formative: Games, exit slips, oral checks, drawings.
Summative: Mini project (“Mi fósil favorito”) + short presentation.