Inside: Resources for Spanish class for the Netflix movie Pachamama. Teach a cultural unit centered around Pachamama in Spanish class.
Author: Allison Wienhold
Published: June 17th 2019 & most recently updated on February 13, 2025
Pachamama in Spanish class
If you are a Spanish teacher in Facebook groups or a mom who uses the Kids account on Netflix, you have probably heard about the new film Pachamama. This cute animated movie is everything Spanish teachers want. It is culture-rich and appropriate!
Pachamama takes place in an ancient village in the Andes. The film centers around Pachamama or Mother Earth, as well as the journey of a ten-year-old boy. You can see more in the trailer Pachamama Trailer.
About the movie Pachamama
Pachamama is rated PG and is a short 72 minutes long. (This means it would be a great sub plan with this TPT guide or NEW option Pachamama Movie Guide from my website shop).
You can find more about the level of appropriateness here. But, I think it would work with 4th grade on up Spanish or even an Exploratory class. (Spoiler, Just note there is one sacrifice of a llama).
I have personally used this film all the way up to high school seniors, during an environment unit.
Spanish Class Cultural Themes in Pachamama
If you want to make a whole film unit, there are so many cultural themes for exploration including the following:
- The diverse indigenous people of South America
- The Incas
- Conquistadores & oro
- Pachamama & the environment
- Animals of the region – condor, llama, quirquincho, puma
- Food of the region- quinoa, potatoes, corn
- Legends of the Andes
- This song > Juan Antin – Somos la Nueva Tierra
Resources to save you time with Pachamama in Spanish class
Pachamama Movie Guide – Includes options for English or Spanish comprehension, character description, and post-viewing activities. The directions are in English so that it would be a great sub plan.
Update new option – Pachamama Movie Guide from my website shop
+NEW Character Pachamama Introduction Slideshow – to introduce novice students to the characters before watching.
Also, resources about Pachamama from others
- Compare & contrast to Dora y la Cuidad Perdida or NEW Paddington in Peru (which both also take place in Peru)
- Inca resources – here & here both from CCC Spanish Store
- The Inca Unit – here from Sra. Dentlinger
- Pachamama Reading – here
Also, Here are more films for Spanish Class
If you are interested in MORE movie guide activities, check out this blog post with more information about all of my appropriate favorites for Spanish class. If you want an environment film that is a real documentary instead, check out Spanish Class Documentaries.
Other movie guides for Spanish class
- El Camino de Xico + El camino de Xico blog post
- Ferdinand
- Selena
- Dora & the Lost City of Gold
- The Book of Life
- Canela
- Ferdinand
- Maya y los tres
Next, more information about my favorite appropriate movies for Spanish class
Plus, more ideas for Earth day & El medio Ambiente here
Finally, more resources for Indigenous Peoples in Spanish class
Please let me know if there are more resources for Pachamama in Spanish class I should add!
