When you order Conexiones be sure to download this free book Conexiones Teacher Resources. It will help you with activities to use articles in Conexiones as whole class reading.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CONEXIONES:

“The readings in Bryce´s  book excite a different kind of reader: the child who spends hours curled up with a magazine like Ranger Rick, Popular Science or National Geographic. This book rounds out a classroom library by focusing on interesting non-fiction that is comprehensible to novice learners of Spanish. Whether offered as an independent reading selection, read in small groups or part of a whole-class reading activity, these readings are a necessary complement to the fiction that is central to my classes.”

—Mike Peto, teacher and author
My Generation of Polyglots Blog, mrpeto.wordpress.com, North Carolina

“Conexiones is a treasure trove of short, easy, amply-illustrated readings in Spanish about real things, places, animals, customs and history in the Spanish-speaking world, including even some general science. The book is divided into three sections: (1) readings for first-year students, (2) readings for second-year students and (3) the Diccionario cultural y geográfico de Latinoamérica, a concise eclectic encyclopedia of things, places, animals, customs and history in Latin America. To my knowledge there is nothing else available at these levels of Spanish that is comparable to either the readings or the dictionary.

Every Spanish teacher should welcome these short readings and the dictionary, which can be used in a variety of ways. Particular readings can be taught or assigned. The whole book can be available to students to pick and choose what they are interested in reading. The dictionary can be a source of useful information at any time. We are fortunate that Conexiones exists. It should be an essential part of every Spanish teacher’s repertoire. Ideally, every Spanish student should have a copy.”

—Contee Seely, Publisher
Co-author of Fluency Thru TPR Storytelling, with Blaine Ray, Berkeley, California

“Wow! Conexiones provides an essential resource of interesting and accessible Spanish articles for both teachers and language learners! Teachers have the option of including the reader in our FVR libraries, using specific readings as a complementary part of the year’s curriculum, or … both!”

—Diane Chamberlain
Spanish teacher and professor, Laramie, Wyoming

Here is what Allison Weinhold, from the Mis Clases Locas blog says about Conexiones: http://misclaseslocas.blogspot.com/2018/11/libro-lunes-conexiones-making.html?m=1

The post CONEXIONES-Making Connections with the Spanish-Speaking World appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 200
• Total Word Count: 5,130

The post Como salir de la zona de amigos (by A.C. Quintero) Unique Word Count 200 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 200
• Total Word Count: 5,600

The post El mensaje (by A.C. Quintero) Unique Word Count 200 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Details:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 223
• Total Word Count: 5,144

The post Listos o no (by Adam Giedd ) Unique Word Count 223 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Alondra lives in an animal sanctuary up in the mountains of El Avila National Park in Venezuela. She grew up without a mother and after the sudden death of her grandmother in a forest fire, Alondra is left alone without a female figure in her life. Alondra is isolated, lost in her sadness and her fears.

Fears? Just the one. Alondra has a terrible phobia of snakes. But she lives surrounded by them… When Alondra is outside, she is in constant fear of the unseen animals sliding silently through the mountains. When she is at home, she tries to stay away from the snake house where they care for the most dangerous snakes in Venezuela, like the tiger butterfly or Tigra mariposa (a very venomous and aggressive snake with a butterfly-shaped pattern on its back).  When Alondra is asleep, she is chased by fire snake and relives the death of her grandmother again and again. Her life is a nightmare.

One day, while helping her father at the snake house, Alondra makes a mistake. She lets loose the Tigra Mariposa. Her worst nightmare becomes true! Then with the help of an unimaginable ally, Alondra sets out on an extraordinary journey to bring the snake back despite her phobias. It will be a journey of self-discovery. But who is she, and why does tragedy haunt her family? What is her destiny?

⚠ CONTENT GUIDANCE: grief, death of a character, snakes, supernatural elements: spiritual connection with nature and animals: evil spirit sets fire to a house causing the death of a character, transformation of a human character into an animal.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 225
• Total Word Count: 5,700

The post El brazalete mágico (by Margarita Pérez García) Unique Word Count 225***ONLY 12 COPIES LEFT*** appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

After experiencing the Day of the Dead in Mexico, Aleja, a Mexican-American teen, plans to throw a big Día de los Muertos party at her home in California. The tricky thing is that her best friend plans to throw a big Halloween party on the same day.

Aleja narrates this light-hearted story mostly in the present tense and with some past tense. It is an easy reader for high beginners and low-intermediate students. Ideal for level two Spanish Learners. Halloween vs Día de los Muertos can be used to start a conversation about Day of the Dead and the similarities and differences with Halloween.

With about 270 unique words and plenty of repetition, it tells a 3,400-word story. A full glossary for each of the seven chapters is included, plus illustrations for every chapter and photos of the Day of the Dead celebration.

Other Resources

• Inside this book there is a list of short videos and documentaries available online that can show how colorful, meaningful, and heart-felt the Day of the Dead celebration is in Mexico.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 270
• Total Word Count: 3,400

The post Halloween vs Día de los Muertos (by Verónica Moscoso) Unique Word Count 270 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Unfortunately, that discovery has become a life-or-death situation. Óliver is trapped in the caves of Aztlán after trying to solve an ancient Aztec riddle.

Now, with dwindling oxygen, mysterious puzzles, and other hidden dangers, Clementine and the others must find a way to rescue Óliver before the secrets of the Aztecs take him to the grave.

La isla más peligrosa is the first novel, and La decisión más peligrosa is the second in a series of suspense-filled stories focused on delivering comprehensible Spanish while not leaving out a compelling plot.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 280
• Total Word Count: 4,780

The post La decisión más peligrosa (by John Sifert) Unique Word Count 280 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

Summary
Albeiro is only six when he starts playing and taking care of his ill grandfather. After his death, Albeiro befriends some elderly neighbors in Ciudad Norte, an impoverished area of Bucaramanga, Colombia, where he lives. Albeiro soon finds out that many of his elderly friends are in desperate need for help. He recruits a group of children to help with the care of the continually growing group of seniors in need. His dedication to protect vulnerable elders grows over the years. This novella tells the story of Albeiro’s compassionate work, and each chapter of this book shows a different stage of his childhood and achievements. When Albeiro comes of age, he has fulfilled his dreams. His life is a lesson in humanity and perseverance.

This book is an easy reader Spanish novella for second level students. It’s almost entirely in the past tense. A special feature of this novella is that usted is used a lot. This is the way everyone speaks in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where this story takes place. A full glossary for each of the nine chapters is included, and photos document this inspiring true story in each chapter.

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique word count: 290
• Total word count: 3,000

The post El pequeño ángel de Colombia (by Verónica Moscoso) Unique Word Count 290 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

A trip to Hawaii could provide a chance for him to get away and reset, but trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. He meets a girl on their shared flight, and he’s immediately intrigued by her mysterious nature; a mystery that will deepen as they land on paradise. How will this chance encounter alter his life? What obstacles and opportunities lie ahead? The adventure awaits you in “La pasajera misteriosa.”

Targeted Level:

• Level 2
• Unique Word Count: 300
• Total Word Count: 12,300

The post La pasajera misteriosa (by A.C. Quintero) Unique Word Count 300 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.

*** Includes teachers guide for this book in written and electronic form, including cultural enrichment, word clouds and more! Novice High-Intermediate low. Ideal for Spanish 3 students to read alone, Spanish 2 with guidance. Full glossary and footnotes of selected vocabulary on each page.

Targeted Level:

• Level: 2 & 3
• Unique Word Count: 300
• Total Word Count: 7,300

The post La ciudad de la gran diosa (by Theresa Jensen) Unique Word Count 300 appeared first on Bryce Hedstrom - Comprehensible Input Materials & Training.