4th Grade STANDARDS: Our region

The students gain knowledge of their natural surroundings through the study of geographical regions (political and geographic) of the host nation.  In addition, they learn the history of people of the host nation through their original traditions, customs, and legends related to geographic regions.  The student will use the host nation language in familiar situations to enhance oral communication skills and vocabulary development. 

Standard 1:  Communication Competency

1. 1. 1. Interpersonal Communication

• Use non-verbal communication for the host nation appropriately.

• Recognize and use host nation words of courtesy and respect.

• Know and use host nation terminology related to money, shopping, sports, and leisure activities of the region.

• Follow directions given in the host nation language

• Ask simple questions in the host nation language (e.g. Where is the train? What time is it? Where is the restroom?).

• Participate in simple dialogues in host nation language.

• Practice the host nation language with native speaker(s) including the host nation teacher.

1. 1. 2. Interpretive and Presentational Communication

• Printed Materials

  • Recognize the letters or symbols of an alphabetic or syllabic writing system or a limited number of characters in a character-based language. 

  • Identify a number of highly contextualized words and phrases including cognates and borrowed words. 

  • Recognize the words for common items on a menu when dining in the local community.

• Writing

  • Reproduce what he/she can say in the form of lists or other short communications.

• Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

  • Create a presentation incorporating key phrases in the in the host language and visual aids demonstrating knowledge of the host nation country.

  • Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience about the host nation in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace utilizing terms and phrases from the host nation language in context (placing the host nation words or phrases appropriately in context).

  • Perform simple plays, songs, dance and shows in the host nation language.

Standard 2:  Intercultural Competency 

• Inquiry, Research, and Informed Action

  • Develop questions about the different geographic regions (political (e.g. states) and/or geographic (e.g. The Great Plains)) of the host nation (the host nation teacher may limit the number of geographic regions to those which include DoDEA schools).

  • Use multimedia (books, films, magazines, Internet, etc.) to find the answers.

  • Create a brochure or web-based solution to share information about the regions of the host nation with school families.

• Learn the history of a host nation tradition and recreate in the classroom, including an arts or crafts project associated with tradition.

• Research the history of host nation food and participate in its preparation.

• Practice table manners important in the host nation.

• Participate in regional host nation customs and traditions.

• Identify all coins and paper money of the host nation.

• Research a typical day of a 4th grader from the host nation (weekend, after school, during school) and compare to own.

• Identify the people who support safety in the region (who are they, what do they wear, different/similar to base and/or US).

• Describe how the host nation region and the base support each other.

• Research a historical host nation sites. 

• Select a historical site to visit, participate in the planning and visit the site (virtual or real).

• Establish pen pals or email pals with a partner class in a host nation school. 

• Plan and participate in an activity (virtual or real) with the partner class in a host nation school.

• Demonstrate age-appropriate social norms for the host nation.

• Demonstrate respect for the people of the host nation.

• Demonstrate positive relationships with people of the host nation.

• Demonstrate individual responsibility for success of an intercultural encounter.

• Participate in a cultural project involving the base community, parents, and local nationals (class, grade level or whole school).