Agenda for Spanish Immersion Retreat

DRAFT AGENDA

8:00 a.m.

Early Bird Arrival + Breakfast – EGARC Meeting Room [Theme: Diversión y Comidas]

Arrive early to learn about CLACS resources and meet fellow teachers.

9:00 a.m.

Welcome + Opening Session – EGARC Meeting Room

Opening remarks by Marta Caminero-Santangelo, Director of CLACS, and Aron Muci, Assistant Director of CLACS.

Icebreaker Activity: Group Conversations

9:45 a.m.

Session 1: A Panel on Spanish Regionalisms and Cultural Differences (Cuba, Mexico, and Dominican Republic)

In this session, you will learn about some regional dialectical and cultural differences in Spanish speaking nations.

Marta Caminero-Santangelo, Director of CLACS, Professor of English at the University of Kansas

Gibette Encarnación, PhD student in the Department of English at the University of Kansas

Luis Felipe Gómez Lomeí, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

Marcela Risso, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

11:00 a.m.

Session 2: Cuentacuentos: Integrating Bilingual Literature and Improving Spanish Literacy for All Ages

Developed by KU Libraries and the Lawrence Public Library, in this session, you will learn about bilingual literature that focuses on historically underrepresented characters and lived experiences.

Betsaida Reyes, Assistant Librarian of Spanish and Latin American Collections for the Libraries at the University of Kansas

12:00 p.m.

Lunch [Theme: Familia y Fiestas]

1:15 p.m.

Session 3: Five Major Fiestas in Latin America and the Caribbean

In this session, you will learn about five major celebrations in Latin America and how to appropriately incorporate them in your classroom.

Santa Arias, Professor of Spanish at the University of Kansas

Iris Hauser, Assistant Director of the Spanish Language Program at the University of Kansas

2:30 p.m.

Session 4: Approaches to Teaching About Immigration and the U.S.-Mexico Border

In this session, you will learn how to teach about immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border, using authentic materials and appropriate methods. Generally, this session will prepare you to teach about controversial issues in the classroom that incorporate grammar instruction and are adjustable for different language levels.

Hipatia Medina-Ágreda, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

Marcela Risso, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

3:45 p.m.

Session 5: Responding to the Needs of Spanish Heritage Speakers / Learners

In this session, you will learn about significant, and often unseen, factors that impact language usage in Spanish heritage speakers / learners at home and in the classroom. In addition, you will learn how to be sensitive and responsive to student needs in order to transform these factors into an advantage for language learning.

Luis Felipe Gómez Lomeí, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

5:00 p.m.

A World Music Odyssey by Amado Espinoza & Karen Lisondra

In this final session, Amado Espinoza teams up with his wife, theatre-artist Karen Lisondra, for a didactic workshop and assemblies meant to inspire curiosity and respect for world cultures, stimulate creativity, and promote a sense of togetherness through music in the classroom and beyond. At this hybrid performance / workshop, learn how to use different modes in language teaching.

6:00 p.m.

Wrap-up

7:00 p.m.

Dinner – Cielito Lindo

Dine with retreat attendees and KU faculty, staff and students at a popular Mexican restaurant.