Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Family and Home
In this course, students learn and review vocabulary that refers to family members, rooms of the house, and activities in the home. They cut out pictures from French magazines and use them to create an imaginary family tree. Then they work in pairs to match pictures of families with written descriptions. The class also practices reading comprehension by putting together sentence strips.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Holidays and Seasons
In this course, students review the months, seasons, and German holidays. They practice vocabulary and develop oral and written comprehension while singing songs, solving riddles, and participating in other activities. They also use a Venn diagram to compare the German holiday Fasching with Halloween.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Sports Stats
In this course, students talk about their sports likes and dislikes. They begin by reading their personal journal entries to review the previous day's vocabulary. Then students share their sports preferences in groups and put the information on a class graph. Next, they interpret an article about the sports interests of young Germans; they scan the article for familiar words and then listen as Ms. Garcia reads the text. Finally, students work in groups to describe the contents of a sports photograph.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Daily Routines
In this course, students practice vocabulary related to daily routines in Japan and in the U.S. First, Ms. Dyer uses Total Physical Response and authentic materials to introduce the vocabulary. Next, the class places pictures of daily activities in sequential order, and continues reviewing the vocabulary and reflecting on Japanese culture depicted in large photo panels. Then, in pairs, students use props and drawings to talk about their personal routines. Finally, students compare the daily routines of students living in Japan and in the U.S., using a Venn diagram and a game of charades.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Fruits of the Americas
In this course, students learn vocabulary for fruits grown in Latin America. Using iMovie and PowerPoint technologies to illustrate the fruits, Ms. Rodriguez introduces the vocabulary, then has students practice the new words in full-class and pairs activities. Next, the students taste the fruits and discuss whether they are sweet or sour and whether they like them. In a culminating activity, the students make and eat a big fruit salad.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Communicating About Sports
In this course, students talk about sports. While their classmates learn the names and characters for eight sports, two native speakers learn more difficult Chinese vocabulary about the Olympics. Then students practice the new vocabulary and express their likes and dislikes about sports through a series of activities, including pair discussions and group skits.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: A Cajun Folktale and Zydeco
In this course, students learn about music and storytelling in the Cajun culture. They begin by comparing Louisiana and California life. Ms. Granville then introduces new vocabulary about agriculture while retelling a traditional Cajun folktale. Next, the students re-enact the story in groups, then use a story map to review elements of the folktale. Ms. Granville concludes the lesson with an introduction to zydeco music, including an opportunity for students to play authentic instruments.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Touring a French City
In this course, students practice how to give and follow directions. Students begin by describing several buildings in a classroom-sized model they built of a French city. Then they assume the roles of tour guides and tourists and take turns giving and following directions. At the end of the lesson, students randomly select a building name from a bag and describe the building to the class.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Hearing Authentic Voices
In this course, students talk about what they like to do when they are not in school. They begin by using new leisure-time vocabulary to make plans with a partner. In groups, they brainstorm a list of what young Americans like to do in their free time, and then prepare questions to ask native speakers about how they spend their time. Next, two young native speakers visit the class and describe typical out-of-school activities in Mexico. The class concludes with a comparison of Mexican and American activities, using a Venn diagram.
Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: Food Facts and Stories
In this course, students make connections to science, health, and math during a nutrition discussion. They talk about the effects of a fast-food diet, using a variety of authentic materials including the Food Guide Pyramid and a fast-food restaurant menu. Later in the lesson, they use Total Physical Response Storytelling (TPRS) to learn and practice new vocabulary.