If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium

Thematic Unit Title:  

If It’s Tuesday, This must Be Belgium

Subject: Travel
Goals: 1. Communicate in Languages Other than English
2. Gain knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
4. Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
Standards: 1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.2 Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
1.3 Students convey information, concepts, and ideas to listeners and readers for a variety of purposes.
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the perspectives and practices of cultures studied and use this knowledge to interact effectively in cultural contexts.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the perspectives and products/contributions of the cultures studied.
4.1 Students recognize that different languages use different patterns to communicate and can apply this knowledge to their own language.
4.2 Students recognize that cultures use different patterns of interaction and can apply this knowledge to their own culture.
Contexts\Outcomes: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, and recognize similarities and differences of the target culture.
Progress Indicators Goal 1:
Progress Indicators Goal 2:  

1.1A Express basic needs.
Elaborate on needs.
1.1B Express basic courtesies.
Incorporate appropriate gestures into conversations.
1.1C Express state of being.
Create simple descriptions within a context.
1.1G Ask and answer simple questions.
Provide and request clarification.
Use different ways to express the same idea (circumlocution).
1.2A Respond appropriately to directions, instructions, and commands.
Respond appropriately to a series of directions, instructions, and commands.
1.2G Identify main ideas and key words in oral and written material.
Comprehend speech on familiar topics with some repetition.
1.3B Give a description orally and in writing using simple phrases.
Give a description orally and in writing using complex sentences.
1.3E Present prepared material to an audience.
Speak or write spontaneously.
2.1A Identify and react to cultural perspectives and practices in the culture studied.
Describe and analyze cultural characteristics and behaviors of everyday life.
2.1E Identify common words, phrases, and idioms that reflect the culture.
Interpret the cultural connotations of common words, phrases, and idioms.
2.2A Identify the relationship between cultural perspectives and products/contributions as represented in expressive forms of the culture studied; such as, art, literature, music, dance, etc.
Analyze the relationship between cultural perspectives and products/contributions as represented in expressive forms of the culture studied; such as, art, literature, music, dance, etc.
2.2B Identify and explain how the needs, behaviors and beliefs of the culture that are reflected in the products/contributions of the culture.
Discuss and analyze external factors which affect products and contributions.

Progress Indicators Goal 3:
Progress Indicators Goal 4:  

4.1C Identify the idiomatic expressions of the target language.
Compare and contrast idiomatic expressions of the target language and the student’s own language.
4.2A Identify the similarities and differences between the target culture(s) and the student’s own culture using evidence from authentic sources.
Analyze the similarities and differences between the target culture(s) and the student’s own culture using evidence from authentic sources.
4.2B Identify similar and different behavioral patterns between the target culture(s) and the student’s own culture.
Compare and contrast similar and different behavioral patterns between the target culture(s) and the student’s own culture.

Progress Indicators Goal 5:
Essential Skills\Knowledge:  

Topic specific vocabulary (to survive travel in the target culture)
Verbs
Question words
Cultural background information (including currency, products, economy)

Assessments: Written Projects:
Students write essays on the target culture meeting specified rubric criteria.
Students create travel brochures illustrating travel in the target country meeting specified rubric criteria.
Students make a map to be used while traveling in the target country meeting specified criteria.
Students write a critique of a musical selection from the target culture meeting relevant criteria.
Students create a drawing or cartoon depicting a travel experience in the target country meeting relevant criteria.
Final Project:
Student groups plan and perform an experiential skit depicting travel in the target country meeting rubric criteria.
Instructional Strategies:  

Cooperative Learning:
Student groups write essays that include daily life, currency, products, economy, tourist information, etc. of the target culture.
Student groups create travel brochures illustrating travel in the target country.
Student groups make maps to be used while traveling in the target country.
Student groups write critiques of a musical selection from the target culture to encourage music appreciation.
Student groups create drawings or cartoons depicting travel experiences in the target country.
Individual Activity:
Students keep daily travel journals.
Class Activity:
Students participate in a “Sorting Game” to compare, contrast, and analyze information gathered from all groups. (Can use a graphic organizer if desired)
Culminating Activity:
Student groups plan and perform an experiential skit depicting travel in the target country that includes props and scenery, creativity, participation and citizenship, cooperation, etc.

Resources: Textbook
Internet
Library resources
Library research
Realia
Videotapes
Examples/Samples/Models
Community resources
Other Resources: Maps
Music
Updated December 26, 2019 2:22pm