Érase una vez Level 4: A Spanish Comprehension-Based Readers Program 1e ©2026
Core Code Alignment
Foreign Language
Spanish for Spanish speakers
03080000041: Spanish/Spanish High school fourth year
Spanish for Spanish speakers
03080000041: Spanish/Spanish High school fourth year
Recommendation
Reviewed, Not Recommended
Evaluation
Critiques of the Venezuela government, they should shut down the government, promoted a specific political viewpoint on that (students from Venezuela would be offended), stereotypes on Moroccan/Arab, likely violates state law, does not clearly define standards in the beginning, navigation was tricky to learn once you got it you understood it, activities were similar and the same for everything (not a lot of diversity) (it was okay), this book teaches the "base" of the language, but nothing up or down, full learning is based off of the books/stories.
Educators Using These Materials
No educators found.
Material Categories
Supplementary
Rubric : World Languages 2025
Compliance with State Law (Required)
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive Materials and Prohibited Submission 53G-10-103, R277-628 | Does Not Violate Law | NA | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| The Level 4 collection contains several instances of sensitive and violent content. El portal en busca de la verdad includes explicit political themes, references to government persecution, imprisonment, and bloodshed. Hasta la sepultura contains scenes of murder, black magic, and occult rituals. Noche de oro contains domestic violence, threats, and homicide. While Leyendas impactantes and Sostenible contain culturally relevant folktales, they also have excessive violence, death, and occult references that make it inappropriate for middle school audiences. | ||||||
| Prohibited discriminatory practices 53G-2-103-5, 53B-1-118 and 67-27-107 | Does Not Violate Law | NA | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| The Level 4 materials contain a mixture of cultures. Leyendas impactantes and Sostenible positively portray diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. However, Hasta la sepultura contains culturally insensitive references to Arab and Moroccan characters who participate in black magic and violence, which may perpetuate stereotypes. Overall, the collection only partially meets non-discriminatory standards. | ||||||
| Maintaining constitutional freedom in the public schools. 53G-10-202 | Does Not Violate Law | NA | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| While most Level 4 titles respect freedom of expression, El portal en busca de la verdad contains explicit political criticism of Venezuela’s government and references to censorship, persecution, and violence against journalists. The text promotes a specific political viewpoint, which compromises the political neutrality required under the constitutional freedom guidelines. | ||||||
| Free from advertising, e-commerce, or political interest | Does not violate law | NA | NA | May violate law | ||
| The Level 4 collection contains no commercial or e-commerce content, however, El portal en busca de la verdad contains explicit political themes and criticism of Venezuela’s government, including censorship, persecution, and violence against journalists. This content prevents the collection from meeting the requirement to be free from political interest. | ||||||
Content
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment | Material aligns with Utah World Languages Core Standards across all levels of language and intercultural competencies. Includes specific references to ACTFL-aligned performance benchmarks (e.g., IL, IR, IC, PS, PW, CPP, CP, CIA). | Material aligns with most Utah World Languages Core Standards and references several core competencies. | Material aligns with a few standards but lacks comprehensiveness or clarity in standards application. | Content does not align with the Utah World Languages Core Standards. | ||
| The Level 4 materials include a variety of reading and writing activities that support language development. Sostenible and Leyendas impactantes align well with the Utah World Languages Core Standards by promoting cultural awareness and meaningful communication. However, the presence of political and occult content, and violence depicted in some of the material in El portal en busca de la verdad, Hasta la sepultura, and Noche de oro is not age appropriate. | ||||||
| Navigation | Educators and students can navigate the material independently. Instructions are clear and understandable. The material is well organized | The material contains understandable instructions. Students may need some educator support. | The material is only usable with direct educator support. | Instructions are unclear, and navigation is difficult. | ||
| All Level 4 materials were easy to access and navigate. Audio files, reading passages, and digital activities opened correctly and functioned as intended. No technical or navigation issues were encountered. | ||||||
| Instructional Support | Material includes instruction aligned to World Language Core "I Can" statements. Uses integrated performance assessments (IPAs), learning targets, and scaffolds for intercultural and language proficiency growth. | Includes support such as lesson plans, differentiated instruction, and examples of experiential learning. | Contains limited instructional support or misaligned strategies. | Provides no instructional support. | ||
| The Level 4 materials include a wide variety of instructional activities that support reading, writing, listening, and comprehension. Although Sostenible and Leyendas impactantes support cultural and linguistic literacy, El portal en busca de la verdad, Hasta la sepultura, and Noche de Oro include sensitive content that limits their use in classroom instruction. Limited teacher guidance is provided for addressing such topics. | ||||||
| Assessments | Material includes IPAs and formative/summative assessments aligned to World Language Core. Provides culturally authentic contexts and tasks aligned to proficiency indicators. | Contains summative assessments aligned to World Language Core but lacks IPA tasks or cultural relevance. | Includes assessments with limited feedback or real-world relevance. | Does not provide any assessment material. | ||
| The Level 4 materials include multiple assessment activities for reading, writing, and listening that effectively evaluate language fluency. However, assessments in El portal en busca de la verdad, Hasta la sepultura, and Noche de Oro are based on sensitive or violent content, limiting their suitability for middle school use. Sostenible and Leyendas impactantes provide appropriate and meaningful assessments. | ||||||
Material Characteristics (Total Points:9)
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Characteristics | High-quality instructional materials for world languages incorporate culturally authentic images and multimedia resources presented in the target language. These visuals should be interactive, up-to-date, and captivating, drawing directly from genuine cultural environments. The inclusion of such resources serves to enhance student engagement and provide a more immersive and relevant learning experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the target culture alongside language acquisition. | Includes images or audio/visual examples in target language. | The material offers limited or low-quality audio-visual and tactile experiences for students, but it is reusable. | The content either has low audio-visual quality or is not intended for reuse. No visual support. | ||
| The Level 4 materials include both positive and unsuitably negative visual elements. Illustrations in Leyendas impactantes and Sostenible are colorful, culturally relevant, and age-appropriate. However, other titles include black-and-white images depicting violence, fear, and use of weapons that are not suitable for middle school students. Overall visual quality is good, but some of the content is not appropriate for middle school classrooms. | ||||||
| Technical Standards | Accessibility, Privacy, and Practicality. The instructional materials adhere to established accessibility standards, ensuring usability for individuals with diverse needs. Furthermore, the materials incorporate robust data privacy assurances, safeguarding sensitive information. Practical considerations extend to ease of access and installation, streamlining the implementation process. The materials demonstrate clear alignment with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards, reflecting best practices in language education. Finally, transparent licensing terms are provided, clarifying usage rights and permissions. | The materials meet all the requirements of federal and state laws, as well as accepted technical standards such as ISTE Standards and VPAT Compliance. Additional technical specifications and limitations, including hardware requirements, bandwidth demands, and software/web access restrictions, are clearly outlined in the description. The design of the materials allows for error-free installation or access without the need to purchase additional components. | The material is constrained by specifications that require additional materials, technical assistance, hardware, software, or infrastructure. Access to resources within the material expires after a trial period. | Student data privacy is at risk or lacks accessibility compliance. | ||
| All Level 4 materials meet technical quality standards. Digital resources, including audio files and reading activities, are functional and accessible. Texts and images display clearly, and navigation is smooth across all platforms. No technical issues were identified. | ||||||
| Adaptability | Designed with World Language proficiency pathways (Novice to Advanced) in mind. Can be customized for varied learner levels and intercultural objectives. | Educators or students can utilize the material, but it may not be customizable for the needs of diverse learners. Usable across multiple levels, with basic adaptability. | The material has limited options to address adaptability for the needs of diverse learners. | The material is not suitable for different educational settings with diverse learners. | ||
| The Level 4 materials provide a variety of reading, listening, and writing activities that allow for some instructional flexibility. Sostenible and Leyendas impactantes can be easily adapted to different proficiency levels. However, the sensitive and violent themes in El portal en busca de la verdad, Hasta la sepultura, and Noche de oro limit adaptability to diverse student populations. | ||||||
Ethnic Studies and Shared Values and Characte
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic Studies (Ethnic studies in core standards and curriculum should be a narrowly tailored incorporation of age-appropriate opportunities that naturally arise through education without pretextual effort in courses, programs, or activities where ethnic studies is not a primary focus. The material should incorporate a curriculum of people and cultures that reflect the state’s various demographics without commentary that seeks to violate the neutrality standard established in codes: 53B-1-118, 53G-2-103, 53G-2-104, 53G-2-105, 67-27-107, | Instructional materials should integrate opportunities for students to investigate global cultural products (e.g., tools, music, art), practices (e.g., social interactions, communication styles, traditions), and perspectives (e.g., values, beliefs, attitudes) in a manner that directly aligns with established intercultural standards, specifically CPP (Cultural Products and Practices), CP (Cultural Perspectives), and CIA (Culture in Comparison and Interconnection). The materials should actively foster the development of intercultural competence by encouraging students to move beyond their own cultural frame of reference and engage with diverse worldviews. Furthermore, the instructional resources must explicitly demonstrate respect for the richness and complexity of diverse cultures, ensuring that this respect is evident in both content and pedagogical approaches. This demonstration of respect should also align with Utah's demographic representation, reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of students within the state and promoting inclusivity in the learning environment. | The instructional materials reflect a global perspective by incorporating some attention to the diverse cultures represented in the target language. This includes explicit references and opportunities for students to engage in cultural comparisons between their own culture(s) and those associated with the language they are learning. | The material has limited themes of social and cultural histories within the United States and globally. The material provides limited examples of inclusive or cultural real-life experiences and does not include diverse characters. | The material does not meet the requirements within the ethnic studies core standards and curriculum requirements. (53E-4-204.1). | ||
| This Level 4 materials promote cultural awareness through diverse settings and stories. Leyendas impactantes and Sostenible highlight some positive aspects of Latin American and global cultures. However, Hasta la sepultura includes stereotypical portrayals of Arab and Moroccan characters, and El portal en busca de la verdad contains negative references to politics in Venezuela. While generally educational, the collection requires teacher discretion to ensure accurate and appropriate use. | ||||||
| Shared Values and Character Traits | This section of the rubric emphasizes the integration of intercultural competence within world language instruction. It mandates the inclusion of realistic intercultural scenarios designed to encourage students to engage in comparative cultural analysis. Through these scenarios, students not only identify similarities and differences between their own culture and the target culture(s) but also critically reflect upon fundamental character values such as respect, empathy, and the principles of global citizenship. The materials should actively foster meaningful interaction by showcasing and promoting culturally appropriate communication strategies and behaviors. Furthermore, the incorporation of authentic materials, derived from real-world cultural contexts, is crucial for providing students with genuine exposure to the target language and its associated cultures, thereby enhancing their overall intercultural understanding and communicative abilities. | The material focuses on the shared values of diverse people and communities, the common elements that unite Utahns, and displays some character traits in its imagery and content. It aims to cultivate character traits in students, such as courage, leadership, intelligence, integrity, honesty, respect, morality, civility, duty, honor, and service, along with principles found in the Constitution. Addresses character traits and civic virtues with limited application to language and culture. | The material lacks a sense of shared values or common elements that unite Utahns. Furthermore, the material has limited resources addressing civic and character education. | The material does not meet the requirements within the ethnic studies core standards and curriculum requirements (53E-4-204.1) and civic and character education. (53G-10-204) | ||
| While Sostenible and Leyendas impactantes promote positive values such as empathy, responsibility, and cultural respect, other titles in the Level 4 collection contain violence and occult themes. El portal en busca de la verdad, Hasta la sepultura, and Noche de oro contain repeated violent and dark elements that do not support the development of positive character traits. | ||||||
UTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
250 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3204
Phone: 801.538.7807