Feelings and emotions in Spanish is another one of those concepts that our students need to know. Besides the fact that it shows up in every textbook, it also has obvious real-world applications for our students! Small talk, anyone? If you are trying to shift to CI while following a mandated scope and sequence, this topic is definitely one you’ll need to cover!
In previous years, I have done an entire unit on emotions. Oh, there was some sort of thematic focus according to the textbook, sure, but the end goal was really, “I can say how I am feeling in Spanish.” We spent weeks on it! Over the past few years I have been trying to be more methodical about how I have introduced feelings in my classes and they have been using it without issues at all! I wanted to share some of the ways I have included emotions in Spanish class.
Start of Spanish Class Routine
First and foremost, I credit the beginning of class routine with my kids learning family vocabulary throughout the year. You can read my post on it here, but the gist is that each day we begin class with a check in, a little chat about the weather, and if anyone has anything going on that day.
I usually project these Slides on my screen in front of students and talk to them as a whole class, but every now and then we just need something different. That’s why I made a Google Form version! When it’s time for a change up, I post this Google Form in Google Classroom to let the students work individually – or even talk through while each student is answering away.
With both routines I start very gradually. At the beginning of the year with my level ones it’s like what you see above. How are you feeling today? I’m good.//I’m bad. We eventually work our way into what you see below! How are you feeling today and why?
While we are using these routines, I love to have a visual reference for students! A simple option is to create a word wall with posters for my students to look at while we are speaking. When we move beyond the check in and are doing a timed writing, students reference the posters as they are creating stories of their own!
Review Games for Feelings in Spanish
Grid puzzle games are another great way, to get students to do more reading and practice! Print the completed puzzle for your students, or give them the blank version for vocabulary practice prior to cutting the puzzle apart!
Other matching games and dice games are a great option to mix up your review games! Students can play with the puzzles individually or in small groups, and the dice game is always a hit for groups of 3-4 students to play!
Boom Cards
Boom Cards are a great way to get your students more practice with a set of vocabulary. These digital, interactive task cards are self-checking and give instant feedback to your students! This set includes practice for forms of estar, as well as feelings vocabulary! Click here to try them out.
More Practice Activities for Feelings in Spanish
Grab the resources mentioned in the post in this bundle of activities for feelings vocabulary!