¡Barcelona Brilliance! A Journey Through Art, Innovation, and Culture
An Eight-Week Exploration of Spain’s Most Enchanting City
This vibrant unit took students on an immersive tour through the heart of Barcelona—a city where history meets modernism, cuisine blends with community, and creativity towers as high as the Sagrada Familia. Each week, students explored a different facet of Catalonia’s cultural capital through hands-on activities, storytelling, art, and discovery.
Week 1: History of Discovery and Anthropology
Students stepped back into the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, explored the breathtaking Sagrada Familia, and studied the genius of Antoni Gaudí. They learned how Gothic architecture evolved and why Barcelona’s skyline is like no other—where faith, imagination, and form blend into living history.
Week 2: Cuisine – Tapas Time!
This week was all about flavor and fun! Students learned the art and tradition of tapas—small, shareable dishes rooted in Spanish hospitality. They explored how meals in Spain are as much about connection and culture as they are about food.
Week 3: Invention – Underwater Innovation
Students dove into Spain’s inventive spirit with the submarine, originally conceptualized by Spanish inventor Narcís Monturiol. Through model-building and experiments, they explored early engineering concepts and celebrated the nation's contributions to science and exploration.
Week 4: Pablo Picasso – The Eye of Cubism
In this bold and colorful week, students were introduced to Pablo Picasso and the revolutionary art style of Cubism. Through creative exercises, they deconstructed shapes, faces, and ideas to better understand how Picasso helped redefine modern art.
Week 5: The Arts – Mosaics and Magic in Parc Güell
Inspired by the colorful tiles and imaginative forms of Parc Güell, students learned the technique of mosaic art. They created their own vibrant masterpieces while exploring how Gaudí turned public spaces into living artworks.
Week 6: Language Arts – Don Quixote and Cervantes
Students met one of literature’s most iconic dreamers—Don Quixote—through the words of Miguel de Cervantes. They explored themes of adventure, idealism, and imagination, writing their own tales of quests and quirky heroes.
Week 7: Natural Science – Growing Near the City
Barcelona’s Parc Agrari introduced students to the concept of peri-urban farming—agriculture that thrives just outside bustling cities. They explored sustainability, local markets, and how urban and rural life intersect to feed communities.
Week 8: Celebrations – Festivals and Castellers
The unit ended on a high (literally!) with a look at Spain’s most exciting traditions. Students learned about the region’s festivals, and marveled at the tradition of Castellers—human towers built during celebrations that reflect community, courage, and cooperation.
Bringing Barcelona to Life
Throughout this unit, students didn’t just learn about Barcelona—they experienced it. From Gaudí’s playful curves to tapas in the classroom, from literature’s windmills to the balance of human towers, every lesson was packed with purpose, creativity, and cultural appreciation. ¡Olé!