FLEX = Foreign Language EXploratory
This course will be unlike any that you have taken before, perhaps even different from what you expected. This exploratory class will be an enjoyable and exciting experience! In this class we will be studying the origin of languages as well as the cultures associated with the Latin, Spanish and French languages. We will also be studying Deaf culture and American Sign Language.
My goal is to get the students excited about learning a new language and to give them a preview of what they will experience when taking a full language course in the future. Our class meets every other day for one semester. FLEX is available for students in the 7th and 8th grades.
The class structure is as follows (time frames are approximate and the order of chapters may change):
My goal is to get the students excited about learning a new language and to give them a preview of what they will experience when taking a full language course in the future. Our class meets every other day for one semester. FLEX is available for students in the 7th and 8th grades.
The class structure is as follows (time frames are approximate and the order of chapters may change):
Introduction to Languages - 5 days
We will discuss the origins of different languages and identify where those languages are spoken on a map. We will define a cognate and look at examples of cognates from other languages that students use every day.
Ethnologue: Want to see the most common languages in the world? Who speaks what where? This site has up to date world language information.
Latin - 10 days
We will study the culture of Ancient Rome. Students will get to explore the ancient Roman activities of chariot racing & gladiator battles. We will have a mini-conversation in Latin and learn to count from 1 - 20. We will discuss the importance of cognates and identify words that the English language "borrowed" from Latin. Students will be able to write a movie critique on a scene from the movie Ben Hur to analyze how accurate Hollywood is compared to the facts.
Extra activities:
~ Gladiators: Dressed to Kill Game - Play a game where you must dress the gladiators in the correct equipment before sending them into battle. Their life depends on it!
~ Roman Colosseum Virtual Tour - Take a virtual tour of the Roman Colosseum and see the different parts of the arena.
~ Roman Colosseum Today - Take a look at what the Roman Colosseum looks like today. Another virtual tour with 360 degree pictures.
~ Circus Maximus Today - Take a look at what the venue that the chariot racers raced in 2000 years ago looks like today.
~ Romans: A lot of information about the ancient Romans including details on the Roman Empire, their beliefs, way of life, Gladiators, and Pompeii.
Extra activities:
~ Gladiators: Dressed to Kill Game - Play a game where you must dress the gladiators in the correct equipment before sending them into battle. Their life depends on it!
~ Roman Colosseum Virtual Tour - Take a virtual tour of the Roman Colosseum and see the different parts of the arena.
~ Roman Colosseum Today - Take a look at what the Roman Colosseum looks like today. Another virtual tour with 360 degree pictures.
~ Circus Maximus Today - Take a look at what the venue that the chariot racers raced in 2000 years ago looks like today.
~ Romans: A lot of information about the ancient Romans including details on the Roman Empire, their beliefs, way of life, Gladiators, and Pompeii.
Spanish - 10 days
The Spanish unit is focused around the importance of music in the Latin American and Spanish cultures. We will study some of the more traditional and modern styles of Spanish music and dance. Students will be able to have a brief conversation in Spanish and perform a skit for the class. Students will be able to express preferences in Spanish, use colors to describe items, and count to 20. We will also identify cognates between Spanish, Latin and English.
Extra Activities:
~ Digital Dialects: A great website with games to practice what we have learned in class or to learn something new!
~ Language Guide: You can actually hear Spain and Latin American pronunciation of various Spanish words (alphabet, numbers, vocabulary and more!) Wonderful website!! Also has a French section for when we get there...
Extra Activities:
~ Digital Dialects: A great website with games to practice what we have learned in class or to learn something new!
~ Language Guide: You can actually hear Spain and Latin American pronunciation of various Spanish words (alphabet, numbers, vocabulary and more!) Wonderful website!! Also has a French section for when we get there...
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French - 10 days
The French unit will focus around the world of fine French food and will use clips and lessons based around the movie Ratatouille. Students will learn about the food Ratatouille and will learn if it is really made with rats! We will have a brief French conversation, use colors and numbers to 20. Students will learn about the Michelin star restaurant review system and be able to write their own restaurant critique. Students will use their personal preferences to design their own restaurant.
American Sign Language (ASL) - 10 days
The American Sign Language (ASL) unit will focus on the differences between the hearing culture and the Deaf culture right here in America. We will discuss the challenges faced by deaf students as well as modern technologies available to assist them. Students will learn to sign the ASL alphabet as well as learn some other signs.
100 first signs: http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm
A lot of ASL/Deaf culture links and resources: http://www.wiseoldsayings.com/asl-resource-guide.php
A lot of ASL/Deaf culture links and resources: http://www.wiseoldsayings.com/asl-resource-guide.php
Links:
SMS - http://www.wcboe.org/schools/sms
The History of the English Language (in 10 minutes) - http://www.visualnews.com/2011/07/07/the-history-of-english-in-10-minutes/ a satirical set of 10, 1 minute video clips showing the history of the English Language.
Family Portal/X2: http://x2.wcboe.org (*Parents please remember since I only see your children every other day, grades will only be updated every 2 weeks. If you have an immediate concern about your child's performance in class - please contact me!)
Language Guide - www.languageguide.org - Has great examples of French and Spanish vocabulary with native pronunciation for practice!
American Sign Language practice - http://www.lifeprint.com/ - Common phrases and words used in modern ASL.
The History of the English Language (in 10 minutes) - http://www.visualnews.com/2011/07/07/the-history-of-english-in-10-minutes/ a satirical set of 10, 1 minute video clips showing the history of the English Language.
Family Portal/X2: http://x2.wcboe.org (*Parents please remember since I only see your children every other day, grades will only be updated every 2 weeks. If you have an immediate concern about your child's performance in class - please contact me!)
Language Guide - www.languageguide.org - Has great examples of French and Spanish vocabulary with native pronunciation for practice!
American Sign Language practice - http://www.lifeprint.com/ - Common phrases and words used in modern ASL.