Centroamérica y el aire que respiramos
A free four-lesson unit for Spanish levels 2 and up
Explore the beauty and culture of Central America, learn about the millions of people living in poverty, and see where hope lies for a brighter future. The lessons focus on the worldwide problem of open-fire cooking, which kills four million people each year, and the work of StoveTeam International, an organization that has changed the lives of over half a million people through the donation of safe, fuel-efficient cookstoves.
Each of the four 45-minute lessons are linked below in Google Slides format. Contact us for alternative formats or for a version that you can edit.
Students can learn on their own or with a teacher, in person or remotely.
Lessons contain a mix of beautiful photos, interactive exercises, videos, quizzes and more.
Students have the opportunity to video chat with someone in Central America during Lesson 2, see a video here! To set this up for your class, please contact us!
Students can even host a fundraiser to provide cookstoves in Central America.
We created a handy Teacher’s Guide to help each lesson go smoothly.
Contact us with questions or comments, or to set up a video chat to learn more.
Lesson 1: Centroamérica Y el aire que respiramos
Explore the geography of Central America, meet people and learn more about their ways of life. This lesson looks at issues of poverty and what organizations like StoveTeam are doing to help.
Lesson 2: ¿Cómo se está ayudando?
This lesson illuminates the lives of people in Central America while focusing on the worldwide problem of open-fire cooking and the ways StoveTeam is helping.
Lesson 3: Historias reales
True stories from people whose lives were changed by StoveTeam’s work. Stories include someone who started a partner factory, a worker from a factory, and someone who received a stove.
Lesson 4: Tomar Acción
Students are empowered to become a part of the movement for clean and safe cooking! This lesson explores what others have done to help, and gives students a chance to get involved.
Let other teachers know about this unit!
Taylor’s 8th grade class raised over $1,000 for StoveTeam!
Create a fundraiser!
Your class can hold a fundraiser to provide cookstoves for families in Central America!
Click here to create your class fundraiser through our online system. This will create an online page for your fundraiser, and a link you can send out.
Create an email message and/or social media post that students can send to parents and friends, with a link to your class fundraiser.
Click here for an example email and inspiring photos.
Lesson 4 of our Spanish Unit also includes stories from other fundraisers, and (optional) creative ideas to promote your fundraiser like a bake sale or a “walk for wood”.
If you have any questions, contact us anytime at info@stoveteam.org or (541) 554-4638
What teachers are saying
“Students were very motivated to become part of the solution once they learned more about the issue of cooking with an open fire and they decided to create a fundraiser to help provide stoves in Central America. They used social media, email and asked for donations from students in the school to achieve their goal of raising $1,000.
Students were so proud that they met their objective and were able to truly make a difference in the lives of families in Central America.
My goal is to help my students become world citizens who will make a positive impact in the world. The unit about StoveTeam International helped me achieve this objective. It is my hope that my students continue to demonstrate these skills and become leaders for change in the future!”
“I am always looking for real world connections and authentic materials for my Spanish class, so we dove into the website. While our initial goal was to raise $500, we raised over $1200 between bake sales and private donations. This was a perfect example of 21st century learning, where the students could apply their language skills to making a real difference in the world.”
“During my frequent trips to Nicaragua over the course of several years, I saw the damage caused by open cooking fires. I believe these Spanish lessons about Central America from StoveTeam International could be an effective way to learn more about the region, both its tremendous strengths and the challenges it faces.”
“I personally love the topic of your lessons. Teaching any language should involve contextualizing the language and using it to teach something else besides the language itself. Thank you so much for creating inspiring lessons based on real-world experiences. ”
“I am using these lessons as part of an AP unit called “Desafios Mundiales,” which is about the environment, poverty, etc. so it fits perfect.”