ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

URL:

 https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans/where-mountain-meets-moon

Content Source:

 Edsitement
Type: Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

This Chinese lesson revolves around the novel Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, an English language novel that children learning Chinese will find exciting and culturally relevant to their language studies. While the posted age maybe elementary school, this unit is especially useful for intermediate high Chinese language learners, even in high school. After reading the children's novel in Chinese (available for purchase at online retail sites), students can identify how the book illustrates the themes of courage and generosity. Following the activities (using Chinese in class rather than English) students will create their own personal narrative in the target language.

Content Standard(s):
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: K-8
Novice Low Proficiency Range
4) Investigate, explain, and reflect on the relationship among the products, practices, and perspectives of the target cultures.

a. Use appropriate gestures and oral expressions.

b. Identify typical activities, events, and celebrations of the target cultures.

Examples: Christmas, Carnival

c. Identify children's songs, poetry and rhymes from the target culture.

d. Observe and imitate simple patterns of behavior.

Examples: Table manners, greetings

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Cultures
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive, Presentational
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • investigate and explain the practices and perspectives of the target culture.
  • identify activities and celebrations of the target culture.
  • observe and compare behavior patterns.
  • use gestures appropriately.
    • recognize songs/poetry in the target language.
    3-5
    Students:
    • investigate and explain the practices and perspectives of the target culture.
    • identify activities and celebrations of the target culture.
    • identify songs and poetry in the target language.
    • recognize key words and phrases in the target language.
    • observe and compare behavior patterns.
    • use appropriate gestures.

    6-8
    Students:
    • identify some products and practices of the target culture.
    • identify some basic cultural beliefs and values of the target culture.
    • identify familiar landmarks.
    • recognize some similarities and differences between cultures.
    • greet people with culturally appropriate customs.
    • use appropriate gestures.
    • identify songs/poetry in the target language.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • typical activities and events of the target culture.
  • children's songs, poetry, and rhymes from the target culture.

3-5
Students know:
  • typical activities and events of the target culture.
  • children's songs, poetry, and rhymes from the target culture.

6-8
Students know:
  • landmarks from target language.
  • information from target language.
  • cultural information linked to themes taught.
  • songs, poetry and rhymes from the target culture.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • identify cultural products such as music, art, sports, games, and entertainment.
  • identify cultural practices of the target culture.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • identify cultural products such as music, art, sports, games, and entertainment.
  • identify cultural practices of the targte culture.
  • identify common beliefs and attitudes within the target culture.

6-8
Students are able to:
  • identify patterns of social behavior and interactions typical of the culture.
  • identify cultural products such as music, art, sports, games, and entertainment.
  • identify cultural practices of the target culture.
  • analyze cultural perspectives.
  • identify common beliefs and attitudes within the target culture.
Understanding:
K-2
Students understand that:
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.

3-5
Students understand that:
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.

6-8
Students understand that:
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better understanding of my own language and culture.
  • the study of a foreign language develops insights into the nature of language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: K-8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
5) Link target language and other subject areas to acquire information and begin to develop diverse cultural perspectives.

a. Acquire vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.

3-5
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.

6-8
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • information specific to theme taught.

3-5
Students know:
  • information specific to theme taught.

6-8
Students know:
  • information specific to theme taught.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.

6-8
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.
Understanding:
K-2
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.

3-5
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.

6-8
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: K-8
Novice High Proficiency Range
5) Link target language and other subject areas to acquire information and develop diverse cultural perspectives.

a. Acquire and expand vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.

3-5
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.

6-8
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics.
  • use the target language to connect to other disciplines.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • information about other school subjects can be learned in the target language.
  • how to apply material learned in the target language to other classes.

3-5
Students know:
  • information about other school subjects can be learned in the target language.
  • how to apply material learned in the target language to other classes.

6-8
Students know:
  • information about other school subjects can be learned in the target language.
  • how to apply material learned in the target language to other classes.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.

6-8
Students are able to:
  • use information taught in the target language in other aspects of their lives.
  • use the target language to learn information about other subject areas.
Understanding:
K-2
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.

3-5
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.

      • 6-8
      Students understand that:
    • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
    • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
    • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
    • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
2) Interpret, restate, and react to what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar and new topics.

a. Give main ideas, supporting details, and justify inferences in selected texts.

b. Identify themes, settings, characters, and plot lines found in literary texts.

c. Use background knowledge from other disciplines to understand spoken and written information in the target language.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students:
  • understand basic information in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • understand the main idea of what they listen to for personal enjoyment.
  • understand messages related to everyday life.
  • understand simple personal questions.
  • understand basic information in ads, announcements, and other simple texts.
  • understand the main idea of what they read for personal enjoyment.
  • read simple exchanges between other people.

At the intermediate high level,
Students:
  • easily understand straightforward information or interactions.
  • understand a few details in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • sometimes understand situations with complicating factors.
  • understand accounts of personal events or experiences.
  • sometimes follow short, written instructions when supported by visuals.
  • understand the main idea and a few supporting facts about famous people and historic events.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • understand basic information from advertisments and announcements, audio or print.
  • understand the main idea(s) of voice messages and videos
  • understand basic statements and questions in an interview.
  • understand questions in a survey or questionnaire.
  • understand information in a variety of print formats (ex: brochures, magazines, labels, etc.).
  • understand information in interpersonal communication.
  • understand main ideas, supporting details, themes, settings, characters and plot lines in literary texts.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • understand basic information from advertisments and announcements, audio or print.
  • understand interpersonal exchanges, spoken or in print.
  • understand information in a variety of print formats (ex: brochures, magazines, labels, etc.).
  • understand main ideas, supporting details, themes, settings, characters and plot lines in literary texts.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Intermediate Mid Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Intermediate High:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
3) Present information on familiar and new topics in various time frames and aspects using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

a. Express needs, wants and preferences with supporting reasons.

b. Present information on academic and work-related topics.

c. Present information about common age-appropriate issues.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students:
  • write messages and announcements.
  • write short reports and make presentations about something they have learned or researched.
  • compose communication for public distribution.
  • make presentations about personal and social experiences
  • make presentations about common issues and state their viewpoint.

    • Intermediate High Level
    Students:
    • write or present about school and academic topics.
    • write about work and career topics.
    • write about community topics and events.
    • write about entertainment or social events.
    • present their point of view and give supporting reasons.
    • present about events, activities or topics of interest.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • describe past experiences and events.
  • create announcements for upcoming events.
  • present or write about academic topics.
  • describe steps needed to complete a task.
  • write emails, letters, blog posts, etc. on a variety of topics.
  • present or write about current or past events/issues.
  • present or write about entertainment topics.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • write emails, letters, blog posts, etc. on a variety of topics.
  • describe past experiences and events.
  • summarize information from academic topics.
  • describe steps needed to complete a task.
  • explain point of view on a topic or issue.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Intermediate Mid Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Intermediate High Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
2) Understand the main idea and a few details in texts on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests in various time frames and moods using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

a. Relate main themes and significant details in ads, reports, or announcements presented on TV, radio, video, or in live presentations.

b. Describe the main themes and significant details on topics found in print media.

c. Follow short instructions to complete a task.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • easily understand straightforward information or interactions.
  • understand a few details in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • understand situations with complicating factors.
  • understand accounts of personal events or experiences.
  • sometimes follow short, written instructions when supported by visuals.
  • understand the main idea and a few supporting facts about famous people and historic events.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • variety of time frames.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • the target language vocabulary for various types of documents (written or audio/video) (i.e., literary texts, newspapers, magazines, websites, radio/tv ads, announcements, or live presentations).
Skills:
Intermediate Mid & High Level
Students are able to:
  • relate the main themes and significant details on topics from other subjects and products of the cultures as presented on TV, radio, video, or live presentations.
  • describe the main themes and significant details on topics from other subjects and products of the cultures as found in printed sources for target language audiences.
  • identify the principal characters and discuss the main ideas and themes in selected literary texts.
  • comprehend spoken and written messages in the target language.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
3) Present information on a wide variety of both familiar and new topics using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure in various time frames and moods.

a. Present information about personal and social events, experiences, and activities.

b. Present information on a topic studied or researched.

c. Present points of view and provide reasons to support them.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • write or present about school and academic topics.
  • write about work and career topics.
  • write about community topics and events.
  • write about entertainment or social events .
  • present their point of view and give supporting reasons.
  • present about events, activities or topics of interest.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid & High Level
Students are able to:
  • create materials about their community for visitors from the target culture.
  • prepare stories or brief written reports about personal experiences, events, or other school subjects to share with others.
  • create and narrate a presentation on a current global concern.
  • prepare an oral or written summary of the plot and characters in selected pieces of literature.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Tags: Chinese, Connections, Culture, Grace Li, Intermediate High, Interpretive Reading, Language Arts, Novel, Novice, Presentational Writing, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
License Type: Attribution
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Author: Chrissy Roe
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