Purposeful Collaborators | Effective Communicators
Every August, tens of thousands gather in the streets of Buñol, Spain, to throw tomatoes during the world-famous festival La Tomatina. While Milford Middle School did not import truckloads of produce, Spanish students in Ms. Updyke’s class brought the tradition to life, albeit in a much easier way to clean… and to learn!
Students began by selecting a Spanish name to go by. While a simple activity, this new name allowed them to step into another cultural identity, making the language more personal and meaningful. This practice mirrors a common tradition in language classrooms where learners adopt names that connect them more closely to the culture they are studying. For students, it was the first step in thinking of themselves not just as learners of Spanish, but as participants in the language and culture.
They then watched a video showcasing the La Tomatina festivities, discussing the history of the event and how they might participate if given the chance. From there, students wrote their new Spanish names on slips of red paper. After crumpling them into “tomatoes,” the class met with Mrs. Veatch’s Spanish class and launched into a playful tomato fight outdoors in the courtyard.
Once the red papers landed, the real challenge began. Students picked up a “tomato” and had to discover which classmate it belonged to, but they could only do so by asking and answering questions in 
Spanish.The activity encouraged students to collaborate across groups and communicate effectively with one another while also practicing conversation entirely in Spanish.
The lesson did not stop with language. By tying in La Tomatina, a festival deeply rooted in Spanish culture and tradition, students also strengthened their cultural awareness. They learned that speaking a language is not just about memorizing words but about engaging with the experiences, people, and celebrations behind them.
In these Spanish classrooms, creativity and culture thrive in a relaxed atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions, holding free conversations in Spanish, and making mistakes along the way. What began as a fun activity also planted the seeds of a deeper, lifelong connection with a culture thousands of miles away.
