Description: Now that you understand the rationale behind content-based
instruction it is time for you to develop a content-based activity
in Spanish for your students.
Task: You are to design a content-based activity for your students,
which will require them to use Spanish to do the activity. It can
be anything from a craft project to a skit but they must use Spanish
and
you must complete every step of the process described below.
Process: First, visit the websites listed
which explain content-based activities for foreign language. Decide
on an activity that will be
age-appropriate and interesting for your students. Follow the model
of the SEEDS activities for content-based instruction. (Template
link)
When you write the introduction, bullets, materials, website
descriptions and vocabulary have a Spanish-speaking colleague check
the Spanish
for you.
Use the evaluation included to make sure that you have included
all the necessary components.
Resources:
http://www.onestopenglish.com/News/Magazine/Archive/contentbased.htm
Explains why content-based learning is effective
http://www.cal.org/ericcll/digest/int-for-k8.html
Curtain, H (1996) Integrating foreign-language and content instruction
in grades K-8.
http://www.cal.org/ericcll/digest/cranda01.html
Crandall, J. Content-centered language learning.
Conclusion: How did your students do? Were you able
to incorporate Spanish in the directions and in the activity? Did
they enjoy the activity and
learn something new?
Evaluation: Fill out the checklist. Score yourself!
What needs more work?
Checklist for Content-based Activity
ACTFL Program Standards For The Preparation Of Foreign Language Teachers
Standard 1.c. Identifying Language Comparisons. Candidates know the
similarities and differences between the target language and other languages,
identify the key differences in varieties of the target language, and
seek opportunities to learn about the varieties of the target language
on their own.
Standard 2.c. Integrating Other Disciplines In Instruction. Candidates
integrate knowledge of other disciplines into foreign language instruction
and identify distinctive viewpoint accessible only through the target
language.
Standard 4.a. Understanding and Integrating Standards In Planning. Candidates demonstrate an understanding of the goal areas and standards
of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning (http://www.actfl.org/)
and their state standards (http://sunshinestatestandards.net/standards.asp)
, and they integrate these frameworks into curricular planning.
Standard 4.b. Integrating Standards in Instructions. Candidates integrate
the Standards for Foreign Language Learning (http://www.actfl.org/) and their state standards (http://sunshinestatestandards.net/standards.asp)
, and they integrate these frameworks into language instruction.
Standard 4.c. Selecting and Designing Instructional Materials. Candidates
use standards and curricular goals to evaluate, select, design, and
adapt instructional resources.
Standard 6.a. Engaging in Professional Development. Candidates engage
in professional development opportunities that strengthen their own
linguistic and cultural competence and promote reflection on practice.
