ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Country Research Project

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 Country Research Project

URL:

 https://www.spanish411.net/resources/CountryResearch.pdf

Content Source:

 Other
Spanish 411
Type: Learning Activity

Overview:

This ready-to-use printable is a guide for a novice level country research project. Students are each assigned a Spanish speaking country and then asked to use the printout as a guide to investigate their specific country. Students look up demographic and cultural information including capital, population, currency, national symbols, traditional foods, and current events. The printable includes a location to draw the country's flag and another to draw out a map of the country including key geographical features such as rivers, mountain ranges, lakes, and neighboring countries.

Content Standard(s):
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: K-8
Novice Low Proficiency Range
3) Present material in oral and written form.

a. Present information about selves with one word or simple learned phrases.

Examples: I'm tired. I have a headache. I'm thirsty, hungry, and sleepy.

b. Sing songs in the target language.

c. Label familiar people, places and objects.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • present information in oral and written form using simple words and memorized phrases.
  • present personal information using simple words and memorized phrases.
  • sing songs in the target language.
  • label familiar people, places, and objects.

3-5
Students:
  • present information in oral and written form using simple words and memorized phrases.
  • present personal information using simple words and memorized phrases.
  • sing songs in the target language.
  • label familiar people, places, and objects.
  • say/write name and age.
  • say/write activities they do.

6-8
Students:
  • introduce themselves orally or in writing using simple words and phrases.
  • say/write name, age, phone number, email address.
  • say/write some activities they do every day.
  • say/write what they do on the weekend.
  • state verbally or in writing physical personnality traits.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • the alphabet and numbers.
  • how to present information about themselves.
  • target language songs.
  • how to label familiar people, places, and objects in the target language.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.

3-5
Students know:
  • the alphabet and numbers.
  • how to present information about themselves.
  • target language songs.
  • how to label familiar people, places, and objects in the target language.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.

6-8
Students know:
  • the alphabet and numbers.
  • how to present information about themselves.
  • target language songs.
  • how to label familiar people, places, and objects in the target language.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.
  • vocabulary related to every day activities.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • learn and apply pronunciation rules.
  • use vocabulary to express meaning.
  • use language appropriate to audience (formal-informal speech).
  • reproduce the symbols of the language .
  • apply writing process.
  • use resources to enhance writing.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • reproduce the symbols of the language.
  • use vocabulary to convey meaning.
  • apply grammatical forms and structures.
  • apply writing process.
  • use resources to enhance writing.
  • learn and apply pronunciation rules.
  • apply intonation patterns.
  • use vocabulary to express meaning.
  • use language appropriate to audience (formal-informal speech).

6-8
Students are able to:
  • apply grammatical forms and structures.
  • apply the writing process.
  • use a variety of styles appropriate to level (i.e., narrative, descriptive).
  • use resources to enhance writing.
  • learn and apply pronunciation rules.
  • apply intonation patterns.
  • use vocabulary to express meaning.
  • apply grammatical structures to convey meaning.
  • use language appropriate to audience (formal-informal speech).
Understanding:
K-2
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.

3-5
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.

6-8
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: K-8
Novice Low Proficiency Range
5) Link target language and other subject areas to acquire information and develop diverse cultural perspectives.

a. Listen to and acquire vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

Examples: Modes of transportation, the planets, and time-telling.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Presentational
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • connect target language vocabulary with other subject areas.
  • learn vocabulary related to school content (Example: time, planets, etc.).

3-5
Students:
  • connect target language vocabulary with other subject areas.
  • learn vocabulary related to school content (Example: math, science).

6-8
Students:
  • use the target language to learn (about) other school topics (Example: nutrition, history).
  • connect the target language with other subject areas.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • target language vocabulary as related to age appropriate school content.
  • information related to the school content being taught.

3-5
Students know:
  • target language vocabulary as related to age appropriate school content.
  • information related to the school content being taught.

6-8
Students know:
  • target language vocabulary as related to age appropriate school content.
  • information related to the school content being taught.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • transfer and apply information and skills learned in the target language.
  • transfer and apply information and skills learned from other subject areas.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • transfer and apply information and skills learned in the target language.
  • transfer and apply information and skills from other subject areas.
  • understand markets and varied influences.

6-8
Students are able to:
  • transfer and apply information and skills from other subject areas.
  • synthesize information from resources in the target language to support study in other disciplines.
  • analyze and evaluate points of view found in information in the target language and compare them with their own perspective.
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.
  • a foreign language can be used to learn other school subjects.

3-5
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • a foreign language can be used to learn other school subjects.

6-8
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • a foreign language can be used to learn other school subjects.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: K-8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
3) Present material in oral and written form.

a. Present information about selves using a variety of words and phrases.

b. Write about daily activities.

c. Create posters on familiar topics.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
K-2
Students:
  • present information about themselves orally using simple words and phrases.
  • talk about their interest and daily activities using simple words or phrases.
  • copy target language words.

3-5
Students:
  • present information about themselves orally using simple words or phrases.
  • talk about their interests and daily activities using simple words or phrases.
  • write simple words/phrases in the target language.

6-8
Students:
  • present information about themselves orally or in writing using simple words or phrases.
  • present information about their interest orally or in writing using simple words or phrases.
  • present information about their activities orally or in writing using simple words or phrases.
  • express their likes and dislikes on very familiar topics using simple words or phrases.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
K-2
Students know:
  • basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • how to ask questions.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.

3-5
Students know:
  • basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • how to ask questions.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.

6-8
Students know:
  • basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • how to ask questions.
  • the target language vocabulary related to theme taught.
Skills:
K-2
Students are able to:
  • use basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • ask simple and rehearsed questions.
  • use vocabulary learned in thematic units.

3-5
Students are able to:
  • use basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • ask simple and rehearsed questions.
  • use vocabulary learned in thematic units.

6-8
Students are able to:
  • use basic sentence structures and vocabulary.
  • ask simple and rehearsed questions.
  • use vocabulary learned in thematic units.
Understanding:
K-2
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.

3-5
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.

6-8
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: 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: 7-12
Level I
3) Present information on familiar topics with a variety of words, phrases, and simple sentences in the present time frame.

a. Present basic information orally and in writing.

b. Give simple instructions.

c. Tell about familiar objects, experiences, and daily routines.

d. Recite short memorized phrases, poems, and/or rhymes.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Novice Mid Level
Students:
  • list information and fill out forms about themselves and others using words and phrases.
  • express his/her likes and dislikes using words, phrases, and memorized expressions (in writing and orally).
  • list information about familiar items in his/her immediate environment.
  • describe and list his/her daily activities using words, phrases, and memorized expressions.
  • present simple information about something learned using words, phrases, and memorized expressions (in writing an orally).

Novice High Level
Students:
  • recite and write information about his/her daily life using phrases and simple sentences.
  • describe a familiar experience or event and write short notes using phrases and simple sentences.
  • list basic information about a familiar person, place, or thing using phrases and simple sentences.
  • list information about others using phrases and simple sentences.
  • repeat basic instructions on how to make or do something using phrases and simple sentences.
  • retell basic information about things he/she has learned using simple sentences.
  • ask for information in writing.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to appropriately describe themselves using correct noun/adjective agreements.
  • how to organize thoughts into simple sentences.
  • how to differentiate between describing themselve and others.
    • (first person and third person).
  • how to gather information using various traditional and electronic research tools.
Skills:
Students are able to:
Novice Mid Level
  • recall vocabulary from themes taught.
  • correctly pronounce vowels and key phonetic sounds when presenting orally.
  • correctly write sentences using correct punctuation and diacrytical markings.
  • correctly type special characters, accent marks, or other markings necessary to the target language.
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • recall vocabulary from themes taught.
  • correctly pronounce vowels and key phonetic sounds when presenting orally.
  • correctly write sentences using correct punctuation and diacrytical markings.
  • correctly type special characters, accent marks, or other markings necessary to the target language.
  • differentiate between questions and statements.
  • gather basic information from graphs, charts and pictures.
  • rely on background knowledge to aid in comprehension of difficult or new words.
  • recognize characters and punctuation marks that are unique to the target language.
  • sing songs in the target language.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Novice 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.
Students understand that:
Novice 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 I
6) Connect with other disciplines while using the target language.

a. Use math skills to convert English measurements to metric system and to convert currencies.

b. Locate cities, states, and countries where the target language is spoken.

c. Describe weather in different locations around the world.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • identify the target language speaking countries and capitals on a map.
    • use exchange rates to calculate prices within the target language culture.
  • identify geographical influences on weather patterns in the target language countries.
  • use the metric system to identify measurements within tht the target language culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the importance the metric system plays in measurements throughout the world.
  • that weather patterns are dependant on geographical locations.
  • currency changes from country to country and exchange rates are variable
  • where the target language is spoken.
Skills:
Students are able to:
Novice Mid Level
  • use map skills to identify countries and geographical features around the world.
  • identify resources needed to calculate exchange rates and measurments.
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • use map skills to identify countries and geographical features around the world.
  • identify resources needed to calculate exchange rates and measurments.
  • investigate other disciplines using the target language language.
Understanding:
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.
Tags: Connections, Demographics, Flag, Geography, Map, Novice Low, Population, Spanish, Spanish Countries
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Author: Chrissy Roe
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