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Katie Vater- Teaching with Technology

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Course Description
Microteaching
Pedagogical Innovations
Spanish Resources


Text: El sapo verde

de Carmen Gil

Ese sapo verde
se esconde y se pierde;
así no lo besa
ninguna princesa.

Porque con un beso
él se hará princeso
o príncipe guapo;
¡y quiere ser sapo!

No quiere reinado,
ni trono dorado,
ni enorme castillo,
ni manto amarillo.

Tampoco lacayos
ni tres mil vasallos.
Quiere ver la luna
desde la laguna.

Una madrugada
lo encantó alguna hada;
y así se ha quedado:
sapo y encantado.

Disfruta de todo:
se mete en el lodo
saltándose, solo,
todo el protocolo.

Y le importa un pito
si no está bonito
cazar un insecto;
¡que nadie es perfecto!

¿Su regio dosel?
No se acuerda de él.
¿Su sábana roja?
Prefiere una hoja.

¿Su yelmo y su escudo?
Le gusta ir desnudo.
¿La princesa Eliana?
Él ama a una rana.

A una rana verde
que salta y se pierde
y mira la luna
desde la laguna.

 

sapo

Reading Comprehension Activity

El sapo verde de Carmen Gil

Activity 1: Brainstorming

  1. In groups of three, think of things you think a prince or princess might have in a fairy tale. Try to think of at least five different things.  Share your list with the class.
    1.  
    2.  
    3.  
    4.  
    5.  

Activity 2:  Scan the text for key vocabulary  

Step 1: Before reading the poem, look at the text and underline the following words:

    1. la laguna
    2. la rana  
    3. [los] vasallos
    4. la madrugada

Step 2: Work with your classmates to try to define these words if you can. If you cannot determine the meaning of the word, ask the instructor or consult a dictionary.
Step 3: Share your definitions with the class. Does everyone know what these words mean?

Exploring the text
Step 1: Read and respond to the following questions:

  1. Why does the toad want to hide?
    1. So that no one kisses him.
    2. So that the frog cannot find him.
    3. So he can meet with a princess.

  2. What do you think is the main theme of this poem?
    1. A toad who is searching for his princess
    2. A princess who has a toad
    3. A toad who does not want to be turned into a prince.

Step 2: Now read the fourth and fifth stanzas and answer the following questions:
Useful Vocabulary:
1. Laguna: Depósito natural de agua más pequeño que un lago.
2. Encantar: 1. Someter a poderes mágicos. 2. Gustar en gran medida, agradar mucho.
Question 1: How did the toad become a toad?
Question 2: Whom does the toad love? What information are we given about her?

Synthesis
Now that you have read the poem about the “sapo verde,” try to summarize in 2 or 3 English sentences. 

Activity– Typical characters in fairy tales
Step 1 – The poem about the ‘sapo’ is different from typical fairy tales because in this poem the frog does NOT want to become a prince.  In groups of 2 or 3, write a few sentences about the 2 of the following traditional fairy tale characters.  Choose the two that you are most

1.  Ricitos de oro (Goldilocks)
2.  Hansel y Gretel
3.  Cenicienta (Cinderella)
4.  Blancanieves (Snow White)

Step 2 – Now that you have written sentences describing the traditional fairy tale, work with your group to change the sentences so that you create a unique fairy tale like “el sapo verde.”  Later, share your answers with the class.

 

 

 

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The Pennsylvania State University. Copyright 2008.
Last updated on: Monday, December 8, 2008