Engaging StudentsIn the Target Culture

Ryan C. KingKalamazoo Public Schools – Loy Norrix High School

ryanckingpkt@gmail.com

Objectives

Engage their students in the target culture relating to…PastimesCurrent eventsCultural traditionsCultural figures

Attendees will be able to…

Using a discussion forum

Standard Addressed– 1.1.M.RW.a Use the target language in email messages, text

messages, blogs, webpages, letters, and notes to greet one another and write about everyday topics such as school and community events and activities

Using a discussion forum

Using a discussion forum

Soccer fansStudents using authentic mediums to get results

of soccer gamesPosting game results about specific teams &

players in the target languagePosting comments on classmates’ forums in the

target language

Using a discussion forum

Soccer fansStudents select a team and post in the target language

Using a discussion forum

Soccer fansPosting game results about specific teams & players in the target

language

Using a discussion forum

Soccer fansPosting comments on classmates’ forums in the target language

Using a discussion forum

How can we expand this?Other sportsFantasy sportsPoliticsPop culture reviewsHistory

Cultural Student Teams Achievement Divisions

Cultural Student Teams Achievement Divisions

Standard Addressed– 2.2.N.C.b: Identify historic culture icons (arts, music, literature, film

and the creators of these products as well as natural sites).– 3.1.N.a: Reinforce previously learned content knowledge through the

target language.– 4.2.A.b: Describe the institutions, values, beliefs and perspectives that

serve as the foundation of the target culture products and compare them to one’s own

Cultural Student Teams Achievement Divisions

Motorcycle Diaries– Students follow the route of

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara on an adventure of self-exploration through South America

– Movement– Events– Cultural Inquiry– Glimpse of influential figures

as people, not history

Cultural Student Teams Achievement Divisions

Cultural Student Teams Achievement Divisions

How can we expand this– What’s in your coffee? Isn’t this big enough?– Less steroids,… …err, I mean get rid of the event work– No movement points just event work– Make it a web quest– Other cultural figures

Student Selected Research

Student Selected Research

Standard Addressed– 2.1.N.H.d Identify and describe significant current events in a country

in which the language is spoken– 2.2.N.G.a Identify countries, their capital and major cities in which the

language is spoken– 2.2.N.C.a Identify current cultural icons – 3.1.N.a Reinforce previously learned content knowledge through the

target language

Student Selected Research

News SummariesStudents research a current event in a Spanish

speaking country.Students provide a summary of their source,

accompanied with a properly formatted bibliographic citation.

Students provide their opinion of the news, not the writing.

Student Selected Research

Student Selected Research

How can we expand this?Make the summary in the target languageIncorporate a debateAllow students to post in a discussion forum Encourage commenting on the forum

Cultural Simulation

Cultural Simulation

Standard Addressed– 1.3.N.W.a Illustrate and present materials in the target language such

as an advertisement, poster, or menu– 2.2.N.F.c Describe the products needed for leisure activities commonly

practiced within a community, region, or culture in which the language is spoken

– 2.2.N.F.d Describe and explain the significance of the products associated with an important civil or religious holiday or celebration

– 3.1.N.a Reinforce previously learned content knowledge through the target language

Cultural Simulation

Fair SimulationStudents select (choice), projects to contribute to

the fairHigh probability of student engagementValuable presentational possibilitiesExcellent public relations possibilitiesCan you say cross-curricular?

Cultural Simulation

How can we expand this?CompetitionsPrizesParent session/tourAdministrator participation

Cultural Simulation

In closing

Thank you for coming