lesson plan – Project-Based Italian

La Festa della Donna

Suggestions for how to teach about Women’s Day to American students in Grades 7-12, including a lesson plan and student project guide. Do you celebrate Women’s Day? If so, how? Please share in the comments! What Is La festa della donna? Every year on March 8th, a unique celebration unfolds across Italy. Streets, workplaces, andContinue reading “La Festa della Donna”

Quick Onomatopoeia Lesson Plan for Kids

red barn with two haystacks peeking out from left and right side behind the barn with two horses' heads hanging out of an open Dutch door. Under the door are a white goat, a grey rabbit, a white goose, and a peach pig.

Learn Italian Animal Sounds: Fun Onomatopoeia Guide

This post all about onomatopoeia in Italian; the sounds animals make, for example, are not the same in Italian and English, though sometimes the sound is the same but the spelling uses Italian phonetics. Be prepared, though, for students to make these sounds in class – loudly! Cani e gatti (Cats and Dogs) While dogsContinue reading “Learn Italian Animal Sounds: Fun Onomatopoeia Guide”

Navigating the Potential Pitfalls of Teaching Units on Family: Inclusive Alternatives to the Family Tree Project

Two brown kid hands stamped on white paper surrounding a red heart

Educators aim for a trauma-sensitive teaching approach to avoid harming students, particularly concerning family topics. Traditional family projects can stigmatize, prompting the need for reimagined activities focusing on self-identification and inclusive representations of family. Various creative alternatives highlight diverse family structures while fostering essential language learning and providing a supportive environment.

Unit Plan (not PBL): Exploring Identity through Italian Language and Culture

In this learning unit, students will explore the concept of identity through the lens of Italian language and culture. Through a series of engaging activities and projects, students will deepen their understanding of personal and cultural identities, while improving their Italian language skills. They will engage in research, collaborative discussions, creative expression, and presentations to showcase their learning. Note though that this unit plan is not a true Gold-Standard project-based learning unit, but it does have the elements of research and projects embedded in them, as well as ideas for sharing beyond the classroom and extensions for learning.