In this many months long project, we explored themes such as legends, magic, culture, geography, history, and more. We learned about a variety of myths and legends from Latin America, read a full “mini-novel” titled: El Ekeko: Un misterio boliviano, watched a full-length film titled También la Lluvia, investigated the historical references in the lyrics of the Calle 13 song Latinóamerica, and wrote our own unique stories in Spanish. Throughout the project, we worked to both increase our fluency in the Spanish language and to answer essential questions such as “How do stories shape our beliefs and understandings of the world?” and “What “truths” can we learn about the places and cultures around the world by seeking to understand their stories?”
Reflection:
What I liked most about this project was reading the book, El Ekeko, and through it, learning about Bolivian culture as well. I truly felt as though reading this book helped me improve my Spanish comprehension because I often came across phrases that I was unsure of the meaning of, so I had to figure it out the best I could based on the words and grammar that I already knew. Another thing I really liked about this book was learning about big parts of Bolivian culture such as the market of the witches, the miners, and how native Bolivians were affected by the spaniards’ arrival in the Americas. Through this book, I was able to learn about an entirely different culture that I never would have had an interest in otherwise.
The biggest thing I learned in this project was about Spanish influence in the Latin American world. Although I did learn about it when reading El Ekeko, Most of my knowledge about it was gained from watching the movie, También la Lluvia. Which was part of what the movie was about. I feel that I learned not only about Spanish colonization in this movie, but also about the Water Wars in Bolivia, along with how indigenous people are treated in Latin America today. Not only did the movie inform me about all these important topics, but I also believe that it is very relevant in our world today, since there are many events occurring all over the world that are similar to those in Bolivia.
I believe that I grew most during this project in understanding the importance of bringing up the dark events that have occurred in any and all countries around the world. After learning about the suffering that the natives of Latin America experienced when the Spanish took over their land, I realized just how many similar events in many other countries happen frequently, but because not many people know about them, no one does anything about it, and such things just keep happening. That is why I feel lucky to have learned about such a big event, because it gives me perspective on my life, how I see the world, and everything else around me.
What I liked most about this project was reading the book, El Ekeko, and through it, learning about Bolivian culture as well. I truly felt as though reading this book helped me improve my Spanish comprehension because I often came across phrases that I was unsure of the meaning of, so I had to figure it out the best I could based on the words and grammar that I already knew. Another thing I really liked about this book was learning about big parts of Bolivian culture such as the market of the witches, the miners, and how native Bolivians were affected by the spaniards’ arrival in the Americas. Through this book, I was able to learn about an entirely different culture that I never would have had an interest in otherwise.
The biggest thing I learned in this project was about Spanish influence in the Latin American world. Although I did learn about it when reading El Ekeko, Most of my knowledge about it was gained from watching the movie, También la Lluvia. Which was part of what the movie was about. I feel that I learned not only about Spanish colonization in this movie, but also about the Water Wars in Bolivia, along with how indigenous people are treated in Latin America today. Not only did the movie inform me about all these important topics, but I also believe that it is very relevant in our world today, since there are many events occurring all over the world that are similar to those in Bolivia.
I believe that I grew most during this project in understanding the importance of bringing up the dark events that have occurred in any and all countries around the world. After learning about the suffering that the natives of Latin America experienced when the Spanish took over their land, I realized just how many similar events in many other countries happen frequently, but because not many people know about them, no one does anything about it, and such things just keep happening. That is why I feel lucky to have learned about such a big event, because it gives me perspective on my life, how I see the world, and everything else around me.
Writing Project:
For this writing project, I decided to retell an old Japanese legend called, The Old Man and the Crow, and change it to take place on a mountain by the ocean of Mexico. I chose to write this because I have always loved this legend, but I also love the climate of Mexico, and I felt that the setting fit the legend better. I was very happy with the final product, and I feel that I was able to express my version of the legend well enough that it would make readers want to read it.
For this writing project, I decided to retell an old Japanese legend called, The Old Man and the Crow, and change it to take place on a mountain by the ocean of Mexico. I chose to write this because I have always loved this legend, but I also love the climate of Mexico, and I felt that the setting fit the legend better. I was very happy with the final product, and I feel that I was able to express my version of the legend well enough that it would make readers want to read it.