Inside: Must-Watch Movies for Earth Day in Spanish Class. Good Earth Day Movies in Spanish, list of Disney Earth Day movies, películas de medio ambiente.
Are you looking for impactful movies to engage your students during Earth in Spanish class? Look no further! I have compiled a list of appropriate movies for Earth Day in Spanish class
From dazzling documentaries to cute animated films these films will take you on a visual and emotional adventure. They remind us of the beauty and fragility of our Earth.
If you are looking for films to pair with your Spanish medio ambiente unit you are in the right place. You can use these Spanish environment-themed films for Earth Day in Spanish class or all year to teach about el medio ambiente.
Movies in Spanish Class
If you are a long-time Mis Clases Locas reader, you know I love sharing culture-rich movies for Spanish class. In particular, I enjoy posting about appropriate films that can be used in all levels of Spanish class Read more >> 15 Appropriate Movies for Spanish class
I know it can be a lot to wade through long lists, so in this post, I will keep it to 6 movies to watch for Earth Day in Spanish class. If you need something shorter, check out the Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+.
Spanish Class Movies for other popular themes
- Hispanic Heritage Month Movies for Spanish Class
- Best Movies for Black History Month in Spanish Class
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Spanish Class Documentaries
6 movies for Earth Day in Spanish class
Pachamama (2018)
The beautiful animated movie Pachamama is the perfect Spanish Earth Day movie since Pachamama means Mother Earth. Pachamama is found on Netflix. It is one of the shorter films on the list at only 72 minutes.
The PG animated film Pachamama is very appropriate, with positive messages for all ages. The film Pachamama is originally in English, but you can change the language if you prefer to use it in Spanish.
Pachamama goes great with the themes of indigenous cultures of South America and the environment. While the movie is animated, it is a little slower-paced and with a couple of scary elements, it would work best with middle school up
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Pachamama blog post with lots of authentic resources & free character intro slides
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Pachamama Movie Questions in my shop
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The same Pachamana guide on TPT.
El camino de Xico (Xico’s Journey) (2020)
El camino de Xico was created in Spanish in Mexico. It came out in Mexico a couple of years ago but was more recently added to Netflix.
El camino de Xico is rated TV-Y7 and is appropriate for ages 7 and up. El camino de Xico is animated and very rated G. At the same time, there are themes of the environment, including fracking, which would make for great high school or college level discussion with units on El Medio ambiente, global challenges, and climate change.
Xico’s Journey is an authentic Spanish movie from Mexico, that is very appropriate, yet could go as deep as you want with relevant themes. I think this movie would work in upper elementary, all the way to high school. I showed El camino de Xico to my combined Spanish 3/4 class as a part of our environment unit
Dora y la ciudad perdida (Dora & the Lost City) (2019)
Dora y la ciudad perdida is the real-people adaptation of the classic Dora cartoon. The newer Dora & the Lost City is a family-friendly adventure and rated PG.
Dora y la ciudad perdida goes great for students who were fans of classic Dora. Plus it has the added themes of family, the environment, and the indigenous cultures of South America.
While this film is not specifically about the environment it shows the jungles of South America and opens up the doors for a lot of conservation about it. I wanted a non-animated option that was not a documentary, so Dora is the best bet to fill that gap.
Mexico Untamed (2018)
Mexico Untamed is a National Geographic nature documentary series you can watch on Disney Plus. The 3 45-minute episodes explore the country’s diverse ecosystems and the animals that call them home.
You could just pick one episode as a sub-plan. From the deserts of the north to the jungles of the south, viewers will be treated to breathtaking footage of jaguars, whales, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. I have a freebie at the end of this post you can use for the film.
The series also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems, which would work well for Earth day or El medio ambiente unit. The focus on Mexico could also be used for Cinco de mayo or with the book Tumba.
Wild Chile (2018)
Wild Chile is a visually stunning documentary series that explores the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Chile. Similar to above it is a National Geographic series with 3 45-minute episodes found on Disney Plus.
From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia there is breathtaking footage of animals like pumas, condors, and sea lions in their natural habitats. The series also delves into the cultural and historical significance of these landscapes. It shows the indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with the land for centuries. You can use it with the documentary freebie worksheets at the bottom of this post.
Earth Day Movies – What audio, subtitles & guide should I use?
Most films on Netflix or Disney Plus have both Spanish and English audio & subtitle options. Always double-check audio and subtitle availability before purchasing films online.
Here is how I typically used the movies above in my Spanish classes. Please do whatever works best for you and your students to meet them where they are
- Upper-level Spanish – Spanish audio with Spanish subtitles. Spanish version of the guide.
- (pre-teaching and pausing to discuss and check for comprehension)
- Spanish 2 – Spanish audio. English version of the guide to check for comprehension.
- (English subtitles if with a sub or very early in the year, Spanish subtitles if watching with me pre-teaching and pausing to discuss)
- Spanish 1 – Spanish audio with English subtitles. English version of the guide.
- Exploratory – English audio with English subtitles. English version of the guide.
- (Using as a tool to discuss culture and Black History Month in Spanish).
Earth Day Movie Alternatives
If you need an alternative to the films above.
- Maya y los 3 – an animated show set in pre-colonial Mexico with diverse characters – shorter each about 30 minutes
- Spanish Class Documentaries
- 15 Appropriate movies for Spanish class – all my top appropriate suggestions
- Editable Movie Guide Bundle for Spanish Class Culture Authentic Listening
- My Movie Guide Bundle on TPT
More Earth Day Resources for Spanish Class
To expand this movie into a deeper exploration of Earth Day & el medio ambiente check out the resources below.
- Earth day in Spanish Class – El medio ambiente
- Medio Ambiente Spanish Class Stations Activity (TPT)
- El Medio Ambiente y Costa Rica Spanish Earth Day Stations (my site)
- Teaching Robo en la noche
- Planning for teaching Noche de Oro
Get a movie guide you can use with any documentary below
I know that most Spanish documentaries do not have ready-to-go activities (except Pelotero for me). So, to help you out, I put together a few activities designed to use with any one class period documentary or episode of a show of your choice.
- Pick 1 or 2 of the activities for any episode as any easy no prep class period or sub plan.
- For example, copy double-sided the vocab & either the events or 1 of the graphic organizers.
- Or pick 1 page to give students to keep them on track while watching.
- As an extension, you could always have them flip the paper over or use a free write paper and write how this film or episode relates to what they have been studying in Spanish class & what they learned.
Enter a non-school email below & get the free activities sent to your email!
These are just a few of my favorite movies for Spanish class to teach about the environment for Earth Day in Spanish class and beyond Do you have any other recommendations? Share them with us in the comments below!
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