6th grade Intro to World Language is an opportunity for students to become familiar with basic vocabulary and structures of both French and Spanish (students will take six weeks of each language). Emphasis in these classes is on listening and speaking so that students may become familiar and comfortable with the sounds of a new language and with frequently-used words and phrases in French and Spanish. Class activities include songs, stories, games, skits, and other activities that allow students to communicate simple ideas.
At the end of the 6th grade year, students may request placement in French or Spanish for the following year.
How does a person learn a language?
What are the behaviors and habits of a language-learner?
What sounds do we need to learn, practice, and recognize to communicate in another language?
How are French and Spanish similar to English? How are they different?
Essential Questions:
What words or expressions can we learn from this song?
How does singing help us learn in a different way?
How can we use the words we know from a song in other situations?
What songs do children in other parts of the world grow up learning and singing?
Major Concepts:
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Idiomatic Expressions
Major Content:
Children's songs
Unit Assessments:
Class participation (practicing the song as a group, with accompanying gestures)
Oral assessment (speaking/singing/reciting the song)
Major Texts:
Written lyrics, videos and recordings of songs
Essential Questions:
How can we express likes and dislikes in French and Spanish?
How can you use formulaic expressions to expand communication?
Major Concepts:
Singular and plural nouns and articles
Verbs
Major Content:
Vocabulary
Sentence structure
Unit Assessments:
Communicating likes and dislikes in brief oral and written tasks
Major Texts:
Class-generated stories