Lesson Plan #: AELP-SPN0201
Spanish Mathematics
An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Submitted by:
Nancy J. Cable
Email:
Peachteach260@aol.com
School/University/Affiliation:
Crawford Long Middle School, GA
Date:
March 31, 2002
Grade Level:
7, 8
Subject(s):
-
Foreign Language/Spanish
-
Mathematics/Applied Math
Duration:
Two 45-minute sessions
Description:
This activity provides a way to integrate foreign language instruction and mathematics. The teacher prepares math word problems in Spanish (using vocabulary already taught) to teach concepts such as tax, discounts, and percentage.
Goals:
-
For students to work creatively with a foreign language.
-
To enhance comprehension of language mechanics.
Objective:
-
Students will be able to read math word problems written in Spanish.
-
Students will be able to construct math word problems written in Spanish.
Materials:
-
flashcards or pictures of clothing (to review Spanish vocabulary)
-
pencils
-
paper
-
Clothing Vocabulary List
Clothing Vocabulary List in .pdf format; requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click the icon to obtain the free Reader.
Vocabulary:
-
por ciento
- percentage
-
comprar
- to buy
-
gastar
- to spend
-
descuento
- discount
-
impuestos
- taxes
-
cuanto
- how much
Procedure:
Prerequisites:
Students must already be familiar with the clothing vocabulary as well as number vocabulary. If too many concepts are new, the lesson will not be successful.
Lesson Focus:
Begin the lesson by reviewing Spanish clothing vocabulary, along with any other terms that students will be working with. If available, have pictures of the clothing on flashcards to assist in reviewing the vocabulary.
Inform students that they will be creating math word problems by using the Spanish vocabulary they have been learning about. Explain that they will be combining numbers, clothing, color, and math vocabulary to make up word problems about percentage, tax, and discounts (or other math topic as applicable). Share examples on the board, such as:
-
Una camisa cuesta ochenta dolares. El impuesto es el 6%. Cual es el precio total?
-
Payless tiene descuento de veinte por ciento. Los zapatos Nike cuestan cien dolares. Cual es el precio de los zapatos con descuento?
-
Maria va a comprar un vestido verde, doscientos dolares; zapatos negros, cincuenta dolares; y abrigo, trescientos dolares. El impuesto es el ocho porciento. Cuanto paga Maria?
Divide students into small groups. Students will create math word problems similar to the examples given on the board (students can change items, numbers, and adjectives). The word problems must be completely written in Spanish using clothing words, adjectives, and math vocabulary.
Optional:
Students can illustrate their math problems with pictures from magazines.
[
Author's Note:
The numbers I had been teaching were from zero to one million. Use really simple vocabulary, but encourage use of adjectives, large numbers, etc. The more ridiculously priced the item, the better. My students liked to make a pair of shoes cost 1000 dollars.]
Closure:
Ask students to share their word problems with the rest of the class.
Assessment:
Students' word problems can be graded on the following criteria:
-
Students earn an A if they construct a Spanish math problem that is grammatically and mathematically correct.
-
Students earn a B if they construct a Spanish math problem that makes sense but has a few mistakes in grammar.
-
Students earn a C if they construct a Spanish math problem, even if it has a lot of grammatical errors.
Special Comments:
This lesson will work with any vocabulary. I thought the students accomplished a lot by putting together the word problems and working cooperatively in groups.