The Influential Country

A WebQuest for Spanish II High School Students

Camellia L. Harris & Erin Gilreath

Introduction | Task | Process | Step 1 |Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 |

Step 5 |Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

Hispanic culture permeates the life of the majority of people living in America everyday.  We eat foods, we listen to music, we read literature that all have their origins from this culture.  Spain influenced much of the early history for both Latin America and the United States.  Today American foreign policy is intertwined with the many countries of Latin America.  But which country has the most influence?  Of Mexico, Cuba, or Spain, which of the three has been the most influential on American culture? 

Task

First, students will research individually their particular assigned aspect of Hispanic Culture (History/Politics, Food/Celebrations, Entertainment/Pop Culture, and Architecture/Fine Arts) discovering on their own which of the three countries has the most influence.  (Steps 1-4)  Then, four students, one from each aspect, form groups to discuss and formulate which country has the most influence using all four categories.  The group will then use evidence from all members to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to convince the rest of the class their opinion.  (Step 5)

Process

Step 1

Go to Louisville, Kentucky's Courier Journal's article on Hispanic Culture.  Answer the following questions:

1. Name five words from the Spanish language that have become words used in everyday English.

2. Where do Americans see evidence of Hispanic culture in our everyday lives?

3. If you can, name a famous Hispanic American and his or her contribution.

Step 2

Go to Mike Segar's Essay "La Vida Not So Loca" and answer the following questions:

1. What is the difference between Hispanic and Spanish peoples?

2. What does the proverb "El que lee mucho y anda mucho sabe mucho y ve mucho" mean to you? 

3. Do you agree with the Mike that being fluent in both Spanish and English will improve your future career plans?

Step 3

Go to West Ashley's High School Homepage

Click on "Media Center" then to the Online Databases and choose "World Geography Database."  Use the username and password provided to you in class in order to access this database from home or school.

Once there you will investigate the aspect of Hispanic culture that has been assigned to you.  Remember you must look at each of the countries to know some of the differences between these ethnic places. To quickly choose Mexico, Cuba, and Spain, use the "Select a Country Profile" dropdown box at the top of the screen. Once a country has been chosen, you will want to skim the overview for any pertinent information on your topic.  Then choose from the boxes from the top the headings relating to your topic. Everyone will want to look through the "Biographies," "News," and "Images" headings.

For the persons investigating "Pop Culture"  there are three websites to use.

1. Mexico--On the San Antonio Public Library's Hispanic Heritage page, look at the "Music" and "Biography" sections.

2. Cuba--On the Cubacuban culture page, click on two links--"Arts, Entertainment and Music" and "Sports in Cuba

3. Spain--Take a Virtual Journey through the “Sport” and “Music and Dance” and “Daily Life” links

Go to the following selected Websites to investigate Hispanic culture found in the United States:

• For Cuban, Mexican, and Spanish Famous Persons, use the following links:  Gale Resource Biographies & InfoPlease's Notable Hispanic Americans & Hispanic America USA

• Hispanic Heritage National Parks Choose any one of the links except Chamizal National Monument to see history and architecture from Spain.

• Latino Hispanic Resources Investigate links for art, etc.

• Arte Latino:  Treasures from the Smithsonian American Art Museum

• Hispanic Designers Exhibit Look at just the Spanish and Cuban designers

• Hispanic Heritage Plaza Peruse articles on your particular area

Use whatever print materials you can find in the school's media center on all  cultures concerned including that of the United States.

Step 4

Rank each country (1, 2, 3) according to what you find out about your assigned category.

Step 5

1. When everyone in the group has completed Step 4, it is time to get together to pool your rankings. Use the provided worksheet and add up the country's totals for all areas.  Your chosen country will be whichever country has the least amount for the grand total.  If two countries are close, then you must compare the categories to see where your strongest evidence is.

2. Investigate what evidence you have for that country in all four categories.  Lead your presentation with your best and strongest graphics and other proofs.

3. Prepare a Powerpoint presentation with your evidence. 

Evaluation

Conclusion

This WebQuest has allowed you to investigate three cultures that have influenced American culture.  The next time you hear, see, touch, smell or taste anything you've studied you will know which culture gave us that gift. 

Credits & References

Thanks to Jeff Jones for hosting this WebQuest as well as helping with his expertise.

This Spanish WebQuest is based on the Persuasive Design included in the Design Patterns page on The WebQuest Page.

The orange borders were created by Ever Eden Design.

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

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