Introducing the novel Tumba

Inside: Lesson plans to introduce the book Tumba in Spanish class. Introducing the novel Tumba in Spanish class.

The last quarter of Spanish I this year will be centered around the novel Tumba by Mira Canion. I had the chance to meet Mira at #CSCTFL15 where I botched her name (in case you were wondering it is is pronounced M-eye-ra not M-ear-a).

My students think it is pretty cool that I met the author of the book they are reading and that she went to high school in Iowa less than 15 minutes away!

The novel Tumba in Spanish Class

Tumba is centered around the holiday the Day of the Dead in Mexico and is a perfect easy reader for a level one class. So far we have read the first two chapters and the students are loving it! I plan to share throughout our journey.

Last fall we did a mini unit on the Day of the Dead and some of the resources I used can be found here. Once we got back from Spring break this year we spent a couple of days preparing to read the novel.

Here are a couple of the activities we completed before reading Tumba

Día de Muertos Video

1. We watched a about Día de los Muertos en Michoacán and completed activities by Elena Lopez. The video is a great way to introduce some of the typical elements and vocabulary associated with the holiday. *I can’t find that original video, but this video works well too.

Tumba Embedded Reading

2. We used this embedded reading for Tumba to introduce structures and characters in the novel. I projected the readings one at a time and read, circled, and discussed them as a class. The next day the plan was to start the novel, but since my son was sick I used these three readings to create an activity for the students to complete individually. For reading one they roughly translated it and answered a comprehension question in Spanish. For reading two they read it and answered comprehension questions in English. Finally, for the last reading, they read it with a partner and then drew what they understood. A particularly great drawing is shown below.

Mexico & Day of the Dead Comprehensible Reading

I created this comprehensible novice Spanish reading and activities to introduce the novel Tumba.

I look forward to sharing more soon!

All Tumba Blog Posts

You can find more resources for the Day of the Dead Here.

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Movies to pair with Tumba

The Book of Life
Coco + Coco Movie Guide
+ Coco Free Bonuses below

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Read more about: Day of the Dead, novels, Tumba

Allison Wienhold

Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas has a decade of experience as a #deptof1 secondary Spanish teacher in Iowa. She enjoys creating curricula using novels, films, and music. Allison provides professional development to World Language teachers, including being the keynote speaker at MALT and Comprehensible Iowa, and workshop presenter at dozens of state & regional organizations, school districts, AEAs, and virtual conferences.