Coco in Spanish Class

Spanish teachers have been talking about Coco since the first trailer was released years ago. It has replaced The Book of Life as the movie many teachers use. Once it was in theaters the rave reviews started. Now that it is out on DVD and is Academy Award-winning, it is everywhere. Spanish teachers can not wait to use the beautiful stories, themes, images, and music that is a part of this wonderful movie. I watched the movie Friday night for family movie night, and by Sunday I had a Movie Guide for Coco. When I first created it, I had novice Spanish in mind, but then later added questions in Spanish as well.

The Coco guide I made is for actually watching the movie, with some additional character description, identification, and a post-viewing discussion and character matching, which could be used as an assessment. I created it with the intention that I could use variations for every level I teach. As a #deptof1 I created differentiated activities that work for all levels. UPDATE – there are two places to get this guide Coco guide from MCL Shop or Coco Guide on TPT.

What audio, subtitles & guide should I use when watching Coco in Spanish class? 

I bought the DVD from Target and it has options for both English and Spanish audio, as well as English and Spanish subtitles. (Be careful that many digital versions just have English). Here is how I typically used the movie in my Spanish classes. Please do whatever works best for you and your students to meet them where they are at. *Update it is on Disney+ right now as well. 

• 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 the day of the Dead in Spanish). 

A whole Coco in Spanish class Unit

Before Watching Coco Ideas for Spanish class

• **Coco Character Introductions – Use my Free Slideshow below to introduce the characters of Coco in novice Spanish (for SURE do this activity)
• Trailer activities (Arianne Dowd) Intro the movie with many activities focusing on the trailer and the cultural components.
• la cena de Dante (Aprendemos Juntos) – Movie Talk this animated short
• Coco Family Tree (Arianne Dowd) – Work on describing family, while connecting to the movie.
• Infographic – This would be a great authentic resource to describe facts relating to the books, as well as characters.

While Watching Coco – Coco Movie Guide

• My movie Guide for Coco – Then we would finally enjoy the movie and use my movie guide questions as a guide keeping students on track. Coco guide from MCL Shop or Coco Guide on TPT.

Post Watching Coco in Spanish class

• Infographic – This would be a great authentic resource to describe facts relating to the books, as well as characters.
• Finally, I added a novice full-day post-movie extension of #authres interpretive reading, interpersonal speaking, and writing prompts. We actually did it as an “Everyday IPA” set up and did each activity for about 15 minutes as a post-movie review. I created this activity for an observation I had on a Monday, after being gone on a Thursday/Friday where my Spanish 1 watched Coco with my guide and the sub. The observation went well and the admin loved the day of plans! Get the post viewing activity for FREE at the bottom of this post.

Coco bulletin board in the classroom of Mis Clases Locas. Letters from SraDavilaMadwid