Introduction

The experience of visiting Kansas, specially the “Oz Museum” and the “Totos Around town” in Wamego was my inspiration to create this five-lesson sequence. It was designed for 8th-grade students with a beginning level of English proficiency (A1–A2), following a communicative and student-centered approach. The unit uses the classic story The Wizard of Oz as a thematic foundation to develop students’ skills in vocabulary, listening, speaking, and writing. Through a combination of film viewing, reading, group discussions, and hands-on activities, students are encouraged to engage with the language in meaningful and creative ways.

Throughout the sequence, students explore key elements of the story, including characters, settings, themes, and famous quotes, while also learning descriptive language, particularly adjectives and their correct order in English. The lessons gradually build on each other, beginning with an introduction to Kansas and tornadoes, moving into guided reading and film comprehension, and culminating in a collaborative final project.

The final lesson features a choice board in which students work in groups to select three creative tasks to include on a poster. The unit closes with a gallery walk, allowing students to present their work, reflect on their learning, and give feedback to peers. This structure not only promotes language development, but also encourages collaboration and creativity.