Spanish and French Readers by A.C. Quintero

What adventure awaits your students? Explore all titles on this Author’s Page. See bundles books here!

Carlos hates Spanish class with a passion but finds the will to survive when he lays eyes on Jessica. She is the reason he “tolerates” his boring class. However, his secret crush is compromised when his teacher decides to “shake things up a bit” in class. A simple writing assignment turns out to be a lethal injection to his social life and by extension his chances with Jessica. First, his nosy teacher tries to “set him up with Jessica,” this plan immediately backfires. Then, the unthinkable happens and Carlos is stunned. This turns into one of the most embarrassing moments in his life. But all is not lost. If Carlos plays his cards right, he could have a winning hand. Carlos invites you to come along on this adventure into “La clase de confesiones” where…”todos tienen una confesión,” even the teacher!

This cute, creative, and comprehensible story has a compelling book trailer and activities. Check out the Spanish Trailer here!

Click here to see author’s page catalog

Carlos is having a bad day, and it’s about to get worse. He leaves Spanish class utterly embarrassed. He had no idea that the teacher was going to partner him up with Jessica, the girl he actually writes about in his class essay. Adding insult to injury, the teacher reads his essay in front of the class, even the mean-spirited things he wrote about his teacher. After running into a few more problems in math class, he is faced with the big showdown in the lunchroom. Now, Carlos is between *”la espada y la pared.” However, a short story in Spanish class may hold the key to all of his problems, and may ultimately lead to his biggest confession of all. Find out in the second installment.

Feliz Cumpleaños

“El Partido”

Esteban just can’t get a break, even on his birthday!  From the forgetful teacher in class to the bully that takes his lunch, he is at his wit’s end. Although his day starts to brighten when a good friend and love interest wish him “happy birthday,” he is still subject to Roberto’s (the bully) attacks.However, a soccer match may set the record straight. Esteban has an uphill battle and must muster the courage to stand up for himself, even on his birthday. Will this be a breakthrough momento for Esteban, or will his fear hold him back? 

Adán’s life is turned upside down when he gets an unexpected and  heart-wrenching text message from a friend.  It is a text about his beloved girlfriend, and it’s not pretty. At first, Adán does not think much of the text, as he knows students love to spread rumors and gossip. He would rather focus on his upcoming test on the capitals of Spanish-speaking countries, rather than indulge in petty high school drama. But as he considers the last few days talking to Fiona, a startling picture starts to emerge. Why has she been incredibly secretive and avoiding him like the plague? Adán tries to keep his cool. So, instead of going into full panic mode, he hatches a plan. He may be risking everything to uncover the truth, but he knows that the truth will set him free. Will it be worth it? 

Nuria and her family are utterly dependent on technology. Her parents, once a tranquil and loving couple, struggle to balance the demands of their jobs while spending valuable time with their kids. The effects are obvious: Nuria’s brother is far deep into the world of virtual technology, and Nuria is addicted to social media.

However, when her grandma comes to visit, the family experiences an expected shake-up; and their secrets are slowly revealed. Grandma has a plan for the family. Before they “accept” the terms and conditions of this new approach to life, they will have to “unplug” from their social media, and put their devices in “airplane” mode. Can they do it? Can you?

We’ve all been there. We have an amazing friend, who knows everything about us. We do everything together. We even finish each other’s sentences. It’s crazy! Then one day while harmlessly hanging out and laughing at each other’s jokes, something shifts. Our eyes glisten and our heart jumps. We are helplessly swept away by the wave of attraction. Before we know it, we are head over heels in love, but hopelessly stuck in the friend zone! Lena and Tristan can definitely relate! They are best friends, video game enthusiasts, and running buddies who avidly explore the beautiful city of Bogotá, Colombia. But when their relationship starts to change, they realize that are in uncharted waters. Will their lifelong friendship help or hinder any chance of romance? Find out in “Cómo salir de la zona de amigos”.

Xavier is recovering from a major social embarrassment, and it weighs on him heavily. However, that isn’t the only battle he’s fighting. His problems are getting bigger and his enemies are multiplying. He feels trapped and is slowly losing his ability to manage it all. 

 A trip to Hawaii could provide a chance for him to get away and reset, but trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. He meets a girl on their shared flight, and he’s immediately intrigued by her mysterious nature; a mystery that will deepen as they land on paradise. How will this chance encounter his life? What obstacles and opportunities lie ahead? The adventure awaits you in “La pasajera misteriosa.”

This comprehensible language learner series is set in a fictional town in South America, the story centers on a group of teens, who discover secrets about their closest friends. A bedrock of lies is ultimately unearthed regarding a disturbing phenomenon that has haunted the town for centuries. Every turn is marked by difficult decisions and the divided group must overcome past hurts to fight for their town and their very existence. Victory may lie in an ancient book that will challenge everything they know. “Las apariencias engañan” series is truly a supernatural thriller ripe with mysterious beings, complex characters, and a steady stream of unfolding secrets, that promises to intrigue, entertain, and keep students begging for more!

Can an obsession with technology turn deadly? Well, these techy teens are about to find out. Federico and his friends have an insatiable desire to “capture” and “record” every memorable moment. However, not all memories are created equal, and these boys are about to discover this harsh reality. Against the advice of a town elder, these thrill-seeking teenagers set out to film their usual pranks; but this time why won’t get the last laugh. They stumble upon an incident that has the hashtag #danger, written all over it. Anxious to add to their video repertoire, they press record. Now they’ve become the victims of a new crime thriller. There is no turning back. Federico and his friends must outsmart the bad guys before they get permanently deleted.

Novels and Resources by A.C. Quintero

                        A.C. Quintero Literary Partners!

Brycehedsrom.com

Command Performance Language Institute

Wayside Publishing

Teacher’s Discovery

The CI Bookshop (Europe)

Teaching Spanish Made Easy (TPT) Catalog

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/a.c.quintero/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/993395751183802/ 

Website: https://acquinterobooks.com/Books & Bundles Novels and resources by A.C. Quintero 

You tube https://www.youtube.com/channel

Spanish and French Readers by A.C. Quintero

What adventure awaits your students? Explore all titles on this Author’s Page. See bundles books here! Carlos hates Spanish class with a passion but finds the will to survive when he lays eyes on Jessica. She is the reason he “tolerates” his boring class. However, his secret crush is compromised when his teacher decides to… Continue reading Spanish and French Readers by A.C. Quintero

Meet A.C. Quintero

Author. Teacher. Keynote. Presenter. Thank you for visiting acquinterobooks.com!  This is a place to share resources, activities, ideas for empowering students! In my 18 years of service, I have taught IB Middle School, High school Spanish, Dual-Credit and college level Spanish (and literature). I am passionate about language acquisition, diversifying the curriculum, and equity. In… Continue reading Meet A.C. Quintero

Take Your Class Discussions to The Next Level with These 2 Conversation Creators (2 Freebies)!

Add some PIZZAZZ to class WITH HOT TOPICS! This was supposed to be a 10-minute segment in my Spanish 5 class. However, we ended up discussing the themes associated with Taylor and Travis’s love story for 45 minutes. And because I know teachers don’t like to recreate the wheel, I have included the slide deck with all the front loading questions below.

Pégalo: High-energy Versatile Game for WL Language Class- Steps, Template & Video Included!

Earlier this week in my FB Group: Teaching From the Trenches , as well as on Instagram, I shared a video of my class playing “Pégalo” with prominent figures for Black History Month. This is my go-to game because it’s super easy to implement and assemble, not to mention, I can virtually combine it with… Continue reading Pégalo: High-energy Versatile Game for WL Language Class- Steps, Template & Video Included!

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Have Several Valentine’s Day-Themed Spanish Resources Just For You!

Valentines’ Day is right around the corner, and if you are thinking of providing your students with Spanish content to highlight the theme of love and friendship, you’ve clicked on the right post!  We have a bevy of resources to choose from to make your day as sweet as possible. Freebie: Shakira and Pique Drama… Continue reading Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Have Several Valentine’s Day-Themed Spanish Resources Just For You!

Spanish SEL Activity for Encouraging Self-Care With Students!

We are in full-swing finals at my school, and my students are stressed, and a little self-care can go a long way. This activity is short, reflective, and invites students to prioritize their needs. While I feel that I have prepared students sufficiently for their end-of-the year assessments, many of them have been stressed out… Continue reading Spanish SEL Activity for Encouraging Self-Care With Students!

Designing Lessons With Preserving Your Energy In Mind: Teaching from the Trenches 101 (Sample Routine)

Teaching is a full-on contact sport. We engage yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically. Not many jobs require this type of PREMIUM membership; so, aren’t we the lucky ones? Teaching during the pandemic made me realize that my energy reserves were consistently being depleted, with a limited amount of time for replenishment. Like most teachers,… Continue reading Designing Lessons With Preserving Your Energy In Mind: Teaching from the Trenches 101 (Sample Routine)

“La revelación”: New CI Thriller by A.C. Quintero

Check out the new book trailer added! If your students loved the drama-drenched mystery of Las apariencias engañan, the adrenaline pumping suspenseful sequel, El amario, and the thrilling plot twists of Las sombras; they’ll relish this new CI reader: “La revelación.” Three years in the making, this tale weaves a rich tapestry of characters, encompassing… Continue reading “La revelación”: New CI Thriller by A.C. Quintero

Nail Your First Day of School With This Dynamic WL Activity: It’s Student-Approved!

The first day of school is right around the corner, and I will admit; I am more nervous than usually. I was doggedly tired at the end of last year, and consequently I didn’t lift a finger this summer (only to put delicious food in my belly!). I was too caught up globetrotting, resting, and… Continue reading Nail Your First Day of School With This Dynamic WL Activity: It’s Student-Approved!

Spanish Reading with Audio (freebie), Graphic Novella & More Brand Spanking New Resources on Sale Today and Tomorrow (Aug 6&7)

It’s that time again, when teacher creators have our annual show and tell! Well, we have a few more things we’d like to show you, and maybe even some confessions to tell! There are a few new kids on the block, and I truly am excited for what’s on the horizon! Let’s start this school… Continue reading Spanish Reading with Audio (freebie), Graphic Novella & More Brand Spanking New Resources on Sale Today and Tomorrow (Aug 6&7)

Why Teaching in This Hyper-Reality Is So Exhausting… And How To Reclaim Your Energy, Dignity & Balance!

This quote, sourced from an article in the June 2023 edition of The Atlantic, deeply resonated with me on multiple levels. While originally referring to the impact of social media and our incessant need for constant entertainment, it struck me how applicable this notion is to the field of education in our current hyper-reality. Reference:… Continue reading Why Teaching in This Hyper-Reality Is So Exhausting… And How To Reclaim Your Energy, Dignity & Balance!

I shouldn’t be the hardest working person in the classroom, and neither should you!

For our Spanish 1 final writing assessment, my students had to write about themselves (which culminated in all the personal interview from the first part of the year), daily routines, and classes (we are preparing for one of my most popular novels, La clase de confesiones next semester, so I am frontloading some of the… Continue reading I shouldn’t be the hardest working person in the classroom, and neither should you!

Diego’s Comprehensible Poetry for the Win! Lesson, resources, ideas & activities

It’s no secret, I really enjoy using reading, writing and using poetry in the classroom (see my previous post here on Free Voluntary Reading) This semester, I used one of Diego Ojeda’s poems from his poemario “Poesía gramatical”. You can pick up your copy at the retailers below. Brycehedstrom.com Cpli.net Amazon.com I love the depth… Continue reading Diego’s Comprehensible Poetry for the Win! Lesson, resources, ideas & activities

When the Lesson Isn’t A Good Fit for Students

Teachers Are Full of Great Ideas Most teachers are active online because we love scoring new ideas from other teachers, especially on how to improve our practice or student experience. We become enamored with novel teaching strategies, games, ideas, to take back to our classroom to implement. We are so sure our students will be… Continue reading When the Lesson Isn’t A Good Fit for Students

Cultural Appropriation or Celebration? Mini-Unit for Spanish Class

In preparation for the film Ocho apellidos vascos, students are learning about stereotypes, cultural appropriation, Basque culture, and the culture of Southern Spain, which includes Flamenco. This brought us to discuss Rosalía, her music, and accusations against her style as appropriation. Many times, students hear terms thrown around (such as “that’s racist) and do not… Continue reading Cultural Appropriation or Celebration? Mini-Unit for Spanish Class

Day of the Dead Lesson: Student Ownership: Successful Lesson!

Sharing from The Trenches Today was my first day back to full classes, and it went better than I had expected. In fact, one student remarked, “Class was very productive, today.” I really appreciate their assessment of the class flow! After teaching today, I asked myself what was so different? Upon analyzing the components of… Continue reading Day of the Dead Lesson: Student Ownership: Successful Lesson!

Two Approaches to Special Persons in My Classroom: Always a Winner!

Good day, teachers! We are all busy, so I will make this quick! I have just revised this Special Persons resource for my students and posted it on Teachers Pay Teachers Store: Teaching Spanish Made Easy! We just finished up our mini-unit on All About Me and this resource was a true hit! Here is… Continue reading Two Approaches to Special Persons in My Classroom: Always a Winner!

20+ Biographies of Trailblazing Afro-Latinos Your Students Need to Know!

Did you know that integrating Afro-Latinx/Black-oriented content and contributions in your classroom curriculum is just a click away? Literally, click here to preview the beautiful array of people and stories that will inspire your students.  And there’s more good news; you don’t have to wait until Black History Month!

Using Affirmations in Spanish Class: Engage the Brain and the Heart!

When I saw this affirmation on the board, my heart melted! It made me so hopeful that even these unique circumstances, and with the curriculum being all over the place this year that a student felt they could triumph in my class! What started out as a novel activity, is now a vital part of… Continue reading Using Affirmations in Spanish Class: Engage the Brain and the Heart!

10 Steps to working a short story IPA style in Your Classroom!

Filomena is my new favorite short story! It was written and performed by Theresa Jensen. You can find it on her storytime Youtube channel. The story and all its activities can be found on storylabs.com See the video for the story below and use in your class right away! *Activities for the story are at… Continue reading 10 Steps to working a short story IPA style in Your Classroom!

Estate Tranquil@: Don’t teach the verb Estar; Rather Use It for Real Communicative Purposes in Your Classroom

Sometimes we fret over how to teach, or how students will learn some of those high-frequency structures in Spanish. I remember a few years ago, I just could not fit it all in. It was tiring. However, developing a more CI approach to my curriculum, has freed up a lot of bandwidth, encouraging creative twists… Continue reading Estate Tranquil@: Don’t teach the verb Estar; Rather Use It for Real Communicative Purposes in Your Classroom

Adding Student Voice and Choice To An Already Set Curriculum: ¡Sí se puede!

It’s undeniable that student voice, choice and interest must be the bread and butter of the curriculum. Just think, if your administrators or superintendent polled teachers before rolling out new systems and/or protocols… the education system would be debugged, optimized, and a potential maximizer! Student success would be at an all-time high. Okay, that is… Continue reading Adding Student Voice and Choice To An Already Set Curriculum: ¡Sí se puede!

A Jamming Success! Teaching Holiday Traditions in a Time-crunched Spanish class!

Today was a jam session two days before Winter Break! We had a full house, and I hope they enjoyed the festivities. One of the things I love about Jamboard (a new collaborate feature from Google), is that I can assign student work, and monitor it at simultaneously. It’s like having communal work time. This… Continue reading A Jamming Success! Teaching Holiday Traditions in a Time-crunched Spanish class!

Mind The Gap: An Energy-preserving Teaching Strategy for Virtual Learning & Beyond!

Mind The Gap As we go into next week, I felt compelled to share this energy-preserving teaching strategy that has saved me my sanity and preserved my energy. It’s super simple: Create a gap space between classes, especially when they are back-to-back. We get so carried away wanting to instruct to the very last minute… Continue reading Mind The Gap: An Energy-preserving Teaching Strategy for Virtual Learning & Beyond!

Quick Communicative Wins with Novice-Low Students

I am finally learning to have fun on the virtual playground. It is a mix of “Ya está” and, well, just making that good old-fashioned lemonade. Although there is no comparison (similar to real ice-cream, versus the soy variety), I am learning to leverage the right tools to get students talking, laughing, and having temporary… Continue reading Quick Communicative Wins with Novice-Low Students

Virtual Reality Survivor’s Guide To Teaching Remote!

Last week was my first week of school and I thought it was going to end up much like the picture below. I had heard the stories, seen the posts, read the vents along with the parade of retirement announcements. To quote Gloria Gaynor, at first I was afraid, I was petrified to put it… Continue reading Virtual Reality Survivor’s Guide To Teaching Remote!

Divide and Conquer: Digital Resources that Add Some Jazz to Class!

Well, we have two new resources in the Teaching Spanish Made Easy family! Check them out! And best of all, you can use for remote instruction or face to face! I love writing and even more so short stories. These are my new ones out the gate. First up we have “Mi vida es un… Continue reading Divide and Conquer: Digital Resources that Add Some Jazz to Class!

The Formation and Politics of Identity: Spanish Level 4 Unit by A.C. Quintero

In an effort to give teachers a peek inside my classroom, I will be using this space to share resources, ideas, and lessons that have shaped by Identity unit for my level 4 classroom. This unit consists of a plethora of resources, both paid and free. Some of the resources were authored by me, while… Continue reading The Formation and Politics of Identity: Spanish Level 4 Unit by A.C. Quintero

Animated Book Trailer And Movie Talk For The Spanish Level 1 Novel: La clase de confesiones.

Confesionista: Anyone who uses the novels “La clase de confesiones” or “La bella mentira” in class! Confesionistas, this animated book trailer/ Movie Talk has been in the works for a very long time, and I am so excited to be finally launching it! I actually started this project one year ago, and have been so… Continue reading Animated Book Trailer And Movie Talk For The Spanish Level 1 Novel: La clase de confesiones.

The Writing on the Wall: The Role of Word Walls in a Comprehension-based Classroom

During my last full day classes, students had an opportunity to share about their top five lessons and activities of the school year. Of course, they raved about Free Voluntary Reading (click here to read post), the Telenovela project, Conversation Circle the assortment of level 1 readers we explored, and of course, the Netflix mystery,… Continue reading The Writing on the Wall: The Role of Word Walls in a Comprehension-based Classroom

5 Reminders You Need for the Final Stretch Before Break

As we approach the last days before break, the energy in the classroom changes. Students are drained, teachers are stretched thin, and the to-do list never seems to end. That’s why intentional planning is essential for boosting teacher productivity. With a few smart systems, you can stay focused, stay sane, and actually enjoy your break instead of recovering from it.

Comprehensible, Inquiry-based project with an AI Twist (Spanish 1+)

I hope everyone has had a restorative and restful Thanksgiving Break. As I have been on my resilience tour these past few months (see previous post here), you should know that I take personal rest and societal withdrawal very seriously. In fact, and even to my surprise, I did exceptionally minimum work on our mini-vacation… Continue reading Comprehensible, Inquiry-based project with an AI Twist (Spanish 1+)

Simple, Low-Prep Activities with Gustar and Similar Verbs

I am back to teaching one section of Spanish 1 ( I teach levels IV and Dual Credit as well). Thankfully, I have been really enjoying the experience with 9th graders this time around (I have had some challenging post-COVID classes). My students this year have shown excitement with almost everything we do in class.… Continue reading Simple, Low-Prep Activities with Gustar and Similar Verbs

La vecina chismosa

Calling all Chismosos Everywhere! New Novel, Fresh Gossip!Looking to add a little extra drama to your shelves this fall? La vecina chismosa might be just the book. Perfect for Spanish Level 2, this novel blends comedy, creativity, and comprehensibility in all the right ways. It’s an especially fun pick for students who need that gentle push toward… Continue reading La vecina chismosa

Joyful and Rejuvenated: Reflections on CI Mitten

Even though it’s just a 4-hour drive away, this was my first time attending CI Mitten! Between the pandemic and chaperoning student trips, I hadn’t made it in the past—but this weekend more than made up for lost time. Not only did I get to soak in all the learning and community, but I also… Continue reading Joyful and Rejuvenated: Reflections on CI Mitten

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)