An instructional unit for Spanish second language instruction, based on an original story "El Ano Neuvo en Costa Rica" (New Year's in Costa Rica) written by Maritza Sloan, is presented. An introductory section outlines briefly the process of planning a thematic unit and its outcomes, and suggests categories of activities to support instruction. Five related activities are then described, on the following topics: geography and directions; community; family; food; and action verbs. Each contains a list of relevant Spanish vocabulary and expressions, cultural information related to the topic, and a series of class activities. The text of the short story (in Spanish) on which the unit is based follows. Notes on student and program assessment are then offered. Appended materials include a drawing of the Costa Rican flag and crest, traditional poems, directions to be used in class, brief descriptions of games, recipes, the English translation of the source story, a story sequence outline, and student progress assessment criteria. Contains a brief list of resources. (MSE)