Description

Here she is! Your friend Jane is coming to visit you next week. She is now wondering what the weather is like in your city these days, and what clothing to pack. Will short sleeves and jeans be enough? Will it be better to bring sweaters and long sleeves?
Could you check out this month’s typical weather for her?

Task

You will give her a short description of typical weather in your (visiting) city at this time of the year. You will give her a general description, average temperature, amount of rainfall, and your suggestion for clothing for her 2-week stay.

Resources

A. Basic vocabulary on weather

Learn Spanish
http://www.lingolex.com/weather.htm

Quia.com
http://www.quia.com/jg/65501.html (Weather vocabulary flash cards)

Spanish-Teacher.org
http://www.spanish-teacher.org/class/Ch7-2vocab.html (Weather and clothing)

Kokone.com
http://www.kokone.com.mx/tareas/mono/estaciones.html (Four seasons and weather)

B. Sample search engines for weather information

World Weather.org
http://www.worldweather.org/s_america.htm

Third World Traveler
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Weather/weather_page.html

Yahoo!
http://mx.weather.yahoo.com/
http://ar.weather.yahoo.com/

Process

1. First, visit the suggested sites (A) on basic Spanish vocabulary on weather and refresh your knowledge of the vocabulary.

2. Second, find out the weather information of your (visiting) city using the suggested sites (B) or any other search engine that you are most familiar with. You will need to find out general weather condition, average temperature, amount of rain (or snow) in the city at this time of the year.

3. Third, based on your findings, write in Spanish a general description of the weather in your city at this time of the year, including average statistics of temperature and rainfall. Based on your description, make a suggestion for clothing for your friend.

4. Check your description and suggestion with one of your Spanish speaking colleague teachers. You may also check with local friends or residents and ask for their opinions.

5. Keep a copy of your description and suggestion in your professional portfolio. If available, trace this week’s weather and compare with your description and suggestion.

Conclusion

Great job! Your description of the weather was exactly what the weather was like during last two weeks, and your suggestion of outfits did work! Jane was able to pack only the right stuff for her visit.

National Standards (ACTFL)

Communication
Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or reader on a variety of topics.

Connections
Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.

Communities
Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.

Sunshine State Standards – Foreign Languages (9-12)

Communication (FL.A.2.4) (FL.A.3.4)
The student understands and interprets written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
The student presents information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

Connections (FL.C.1.4)
The student reinforces and furthers knowledge of other disciplines thorough foreign language.

Experiences (FL.E.1.4)
The student uses the language within and beyond the school setting.

Evaluation

Your description of the weather and suggestion for clothing can be evaluated with following criteria.

Printable PDF Table