Spanish Cities - Customs and Traditions

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 Las Fiestas de Sevilla (The Festivals of Seville)

Standards Addressed:

  • Communication Standard 1.2: Learner understands, interprets, and analyzes what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.

  • Culture Standard 2.1: Learner uses the language to investigate, explain, and reflect on the relationship between cultural practices and perspectives.

  • Connections Standard 3.1: Learner builds, reinforces, and expands knowledge of cultural traditions while using Spanish.

  • Comparisons Standard 4.2: Learner uses Spanish to investigate and reflect on customs and traditions across cultures.


Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

  • Identify major festivals and traditions in Seville

  • Understand basic customs of daily life in southern Spain

  • Use Spanish vocabulary related to celebrations and traditions

  • Create a digital presentation about Spanish festivals

Article

Life and Celebrations in Seville

Seville, a city in southern Spain, is famous for its vibrant festivals and rich traditions. Two of the biggest celebrations are Semana Santa (Holy Week) in spring and the Feria de Abril (April Fair) two weeks later.

During Semana Santa, the city celebrates with:

  • Beautiful religious processions through the streets

  • Traditional music and singing

  • Special foods like torrijas (similar to French toast)

  • Colorful decorations on balconies and in squares

The Feria de Abril is completely different:

  • People wear traditional flamenco dresses and suits

  • Families and friends meet in casetas (special tents)

  • There's lots of dancing, especially sevillanas

  • Traditional food like pescaíto frito (fried fish) and rebujito (a special drink)

Daily life in Seville also has its own customs:

  • Late lunch (around 2:00-3:00 PM)

  • Siesta during the hot afternoon

  • Evening paseo (walk) with family and friends

  • Tapas with friends in outdoor cafés

  • Streets are cleaned with water every morning

These traditions make Seville unique and show how the city combines old customs with modern life.

Comprehension Questions (Answer in Spanish)

  1. ¿Cuáles son las dos fiestas importantes en Sevilla? (What are the two important festivals in Seville?)

  2. ¿Qué se come durante Semana Santa? (What do people eat during Holy Week?)

  3. ¿Qué llevan las personas en la Feria? (What do people wear at the Fair?)

  4. ¿A qué hora es el almuerzo en Sevilla? (What time is lunch in Seville?)




Short Essay Question (Choose one to answer in Spanish, minimum 3 sentences)

  1. ¿Qué festival te gustaría visitar en Sevilla? ¿Por qué? (Which festival would you like to visit in Seville? Why?)

  2. Compara las tradiciones de tu ciudad con las de Sevilla. (Compare the traditions of your city with those of Seville.)




Optional Technology Activity (DOK 3)

Create a Digital Festival Guide

Using Google Slides:

  1. Create a new presentation titled "Guía de Fiestas de Sevilla"

  2. Create these slides:

    • Title slide with a festival image

    • Introduction to Seville's festivals

    • Semana Santa details and traditions

    • Feria de Abril activities and customs

    • Food and drinks at festivals

    • Your own festival design inspired by Seville

  3. For each slide include:

    • Images representing the traditions

    • Spanish descriptions of activities

    • Times and dates of events

    • Traditional foods and customs

  4. Share your festival guide through Google Classroom

Go Beyond

Learn more about Seville's traditions:

Glossary

  • fiesta = festival

  • tradición = tradition

  • celebración = celebration

  • baile = dance

  • comida = food

  • música = music

  • vestido = dress

  • procesión = procession

  • caseta = tent

  • costumbre = custom

  • almuerzo = lunch

  • paseo = walk


Grading Rubric

4 (Exceeds Expectations)

  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of Sevillian traditions

  • Uses rich Spanish vocabulary related to customs and celebrations

  • Creates detailed responses about festival activities and daily life

  • Essay shows deep cultural appreciation and thoughtful comparisons

  • Festival guide (if chosen) demonstrates extensive research and creativity

  • Work reflects understanding of both traditional and modern customs

3 (Meets Expectations)

  • Shows good understanding of Seville's main festivals

  • Uses appropriate Spanish vocabulary for traditions

  • Provides accurate information about customs

  • Essay includes clear cultural comparisons

  • Festival guide (if chosen) contains all required elements

  • Work demonstrates good grasp of cultural practices

2 (Approaching Expectations)

  • Shows basic understanding of festivals

  • Uses simple Spanish vocabulary with some errors

  • Includes basic information about traditions

  • Essay attempts comparisons but lacks detail

  • Festival guide (if chosen) includes basic information

  • Work shows partial understanding of customs

1 (Below Expectations)

  • Shows minimal understanding of traditions

  • Uses very limited Spanish vocabulary with major errors

  • Information about festivals is incomplete

  • Essay is brief and lacks cultural understanding

  • Festival guide (if chosen) is missing key elements

  • Shows limited comprehension of material

0 (No Evidence)

  • No work submitted

  • Responses are in English rather than Spanish

  • Shows no understanding of customs

  • Festival guide not attempted

  • No evidence of engagement with material

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