Nebraska Department of Education Homepage

Lions, Tigers, and Bears – Oh My!

Thematic Unit Title:  

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!
Subject: Animals
Goals: 2. Gain knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
3. Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
5. Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World
Standards: 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.
3.1 Students reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines through foreign languages.
3.2 Students acquire information and perspectives through authentic materials in the foreign languages and within the cultures.
5.1 Students apply language skills and cultural knowledge within and beyond the school setting.
Contexts\Outcomes: Students recognize the interdependence of the animals with the culture studied and in the world.
Progress Indicators Goal 1:
Progress Indicators Goal 2:  

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.
2.2B Identify and explain how the needs, behaviors and beliefs of the culture that are reflected in the products/contributions of the culture.
2.2D Identify objects, images and symbols of the target culture.
2.2E Recognize the contributions of the target culture.
2.2F Identify the products of the target country/countries.
Progress Indicators Goal 3:  

3.1A Identify and apply, within a familiar context, information and skills common to the foreign language classroom and other disciplines.
Progress Indicators Goal 4:
Progress Indicators Goal 5:  

5.1B Locate connections with the target culture through the use of technology, media, and authentic sources.
5.1C Locate resources in the community to research the target culture.
Essential Skills\Knowledge:  

Topic specific vocabulary
Verb tenses (level appropriate)
Question words
Needed Internet use skills
Historical background information
Geographical background information
Research techniques
Comparison techniques
Assessments: Oral Presentations:
Students create an animal mime for classmates to guess in the target language.
Students compose and perform a song about an animal.
Students plan a present a “Hunter In Pursuit” skit.
Written Project:
Students write a report in the target language about an animal.
Instructional Strategies:  

Internet:
Students search the Internet to obtain information about an animal from the target culture including characteristics, food, habitats, endangerment, etc.
Individual:
Students create an animal mime.
Students compose an animal song.
Students write a report on an animal from the target culture.
Cooperative Learning:
Students work in groups to analyze a public service ad on saving an endangered animal from the target culture.
Student groups plan a “Hunter In Pursuit” skit.
Resources: Textbook
Internet
Library resources
Realia
Other Resources: Target Culture Government Publications
Field Trips to the Zoo and/or Wild Safari
Updated December 30, 2019 1:27pm