Past Progressive Tense and Writing a Respectful Commitment

While we ______ (explore) the Afro-Mexican community, we discovered many fascinating traditions.

1. El sujeto es we, que en pasado del verbo be es were.
2. El verbo explore pasa a gerundio: exploring.
3. Estructura: was/were + verbo-ing → were exploring.

The musicians ______ (play) traditional African instruments during the three days that the festival lasted.

1. El sujeto es The musicians (plural), por lo que se usa were.
2. play → playing.
3. Estructura: were + playing.

She ______ (dance) to the rhythm of the drums at the cultural celebration.

1. El sujeto es She (singular), por lo que se usa was.
2. dance pierde la e final y agrega -ing: dancing.
3. Estructura: was + dancing.

As we ______ (learn) about Afro-Mexican history, we realized the richness of their culture.

1. El sujeto es we, que en pasado del verbo be es were.
2. learn → learning.
3. Estructura: were + learning.

While the older adults ______ (share) their stories, we gained a deeper understanding of their experiences.

1. El sujeto es the older adults (plural), por lo que se usa were.
2. share pierde la e final y agrega -ing: sharing.
3. Estructura: were + sharing.

Writing

In community, on a sheet of paper, write a commitment with your classmates where you agree to always refer to other people respectfully.

Writing.a

State at least five examples of words that are derogatory and that you will no longer use, as well as the ethically correct term. Whenever possible, use the simple past tense, the past progressive tense, or used to.

1. Identifico términos derogatorios y su equivalente ético.
2. Redacto cada ejemplo con used to, was/were + -ing o pasado simple.
3. Firmo el compromiso con mi grupo.

Respuesta orientativa:

1. In the past, people used to call Afro-Mexican people negros. I will respect them by calling them Afro-Mexican.
2. People used to say indio to refer to Indigenous people. I will respect them by calling them Indigenous or by their specific people's name.
3. Classmates were saying gordo to describe a person's body. I will respect them by calling them by their name.
4. People used to call someone loco when they had a mental health condition. I will respect them by saying person with a mental health condition.
5. Students were using naco to mock someone's way of speaking. I will respect them by describing their language as variety of Spanish.

Writing.b

Once written, sign the commitment along with all your classroom community.

Respuesta orientativa: Después de escribir los cinco ejemplos, cada estudiante firma el compromiso y el docente lo coloca en un lugar visible del aula para recordar el acuerdo de usar un lenguaje respetuoso.