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Third Rock From the Sun

Thematic Unit Title:  

Third Rock From The Sun
Subject: Nature/Outdoor Activities
Goals: 1. Communicate in Languages Other than English
3. Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
5. Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World
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.
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 engage in conversations, convey information, acquire information and perspectives through authentic materials, and apply language skills and cultural knowledge experiencing nature and outdoor activities in the target language and culture.
Progress Indicators Goal 1:
Progress Indicators Goal 2:  

1.1D Express likes and dislikes.
Qualify likes and dislikes.
1.2B Make an identification based on simple oral and/or written descriptors.
Respond appropriately to complex oral and/or written descriptors.
1.3B Give a description orally and in writing using simple phrases.
Give a description orally and in writing using complex sentences.
Progress Indicators Goal 3:  

3.1B Identify, through foreign language resources, information for use in other disciplines.
Analyze the information gathered through foreign language resources for use in other disciplines.
3.2A Extract information from sources intended for native speakers of the language.
Analyze and apply information from sources intended for native speakers of the language.
3.2B Use authentic sources to identify the perspectives of the target cultures.
Use authentic sources to analyze the perspectives of the target cultures.
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.
Establish connections with the target culture through the use of technology, media, and authentic sources.
Essential Skills\Knowledge:  

Topic specific vocabulary
Verbs needed to express likes/dislikes and outdoor activities
Cultural background information
Geographical background information
Knowledge of Internet research techniques
Assessments: Vocabulary Quiz
Individual Projects:
Students keep an outdoor activity journal.
Students create an Interest Inventory Graph.
Students make a personal Nature/Outdoor Activities Likes/Dislikes Collage meeting specified rubric criteria.
Oral Presentation:
Each student orally presents their Likes/Dislikes Collage to the class (using their collage as a visual) meeting specified rubric criteria.
Instructional Strategies:  

Graphic Organizer:
Student groups use a webbing or mapping graphic organizer (example: NE Frameworks p. 290) to identify nature/outdoor activities vocabulary needed to complete the unit.
Internet Research/Pair Activities:
Students work in pairs to use the Internet to research nature and outdoor activities from the target culture.
Students work in pairs to use the Internet to interview people from the target culture about nature/outdoor activities.
Individual Activities:
Students keep an outdoor activity journal.
Students create an Interest Inventory Graph.
Students make a personal Nature/Outdoor Activities Likes/Dislikes Collage.
Resources: Textbook
Internet
Library resources
Realia
Videotapes
Other Resources: Materials needed to create collage.
Updated December 27, 2019 7:58am