Talking about the weather-German, Novice Mid
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The activities provided by the Boise State World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) serve as foundational activities which can be adapted by any language and scaled up or down on the proficiency scale. Many of these activities offer an English Version that is “language-agnostic” to provide language instructors from around the country a platform to remix these instructional materials, infusing them with their target language and culture! The activities within the Pathways Project OER Repository seek to help students solidify their interpersonal speaking and interpretive skills through task-based situations or communicative activities. These activities should be facilitated in the target language for approximately 90% (or more), per the recommendation of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
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1. Use the Activity as is:
Before you begin:
- Most activities are 30 minutes in duration, unless otherwise specified.
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- See the linked English Version at the top of the activity (English Version may not be available for all activities)
Talking about the weather - German, Novice Mid
Description:
In this lab students will create a weather report and practice talking about the weather. Then, students will work together to discuss and suggest activities that are appropriate based on the weather report that they came up with.
Proficiency Level:
Interpersonal Speaking, Novice Mid
Keywords:
German, weather, activities, hobbies, report
NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:
- I can talk about familiar hobbies (Novice Low)
- I can discuss current events such as weather (Novice Mid)
- I can advise what activities would be appropriate, based on the forecast (Novice High)
NCSSFL-ACTFL World-Readiness Standards
- Standard 1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions
- Standard 1.2 Students understand and interpret spoken and written language on a variety of topics
- Standard 1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics
- Standard 3.2 Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through German and the German-speaking world
Idaho State World Language Standards:
- COMM 1.1: Interact and negotiate meaning (spoken, signed, written conversation) to share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions
- COMM 2.1: Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
- CLTR 1.2: Explain the relationship between cultural practices/behaviors and the perspectives that represent the target culture’s view of the world.
Materials Needed:
Whiteboard (Main Activity) One per student
Whiteboard Markers (Main Activity), One per student
Weather Forecast Sheet (Warm Up), One per two students
Weather Cards (Warm Up), One set per two students
Warm-up
Begin by opening the Google Slideshow and introduce the Can Do Statements
Overview:
Today we will talk about weather. First, we will discuss types of weather with the Weather Cards, and create a forecast, using the Weather Forecast Sheet . Then, we will present our weather forecasts to the group. We will switch the forecasts, and the each pair will receive a weather forecast from another group. Working together, each pair will come up with activities for each slot on the weather forecast sheet and write these down on a whiteboard. Lastly, we will talk about some cultural aspects of talking about weather.
Heute besprechen wir das Wetter. Erstens werden wir Wetter Vokabeln lernen und dann werden wir eine Wettervorhersage machen. Wir werden die Wettervorhersagen präsentieren. Danach werden wir die Wettervorhersagen "tauschen" und jede Gruppe bekommt die Wettervorhersage einer anderen Gruppe. Mit Partnern denkt Aktivitäten aus, die mit der Wettervorhersagen passen. Schriebt diese Aktivitäten auf. Dann werden wir ein paar ein paar kulturelle Aspekten um Wetter in deutsch-sprachige Länder besprechen.
1.) Have students get into pairs.
2) Each pair will have a set of Weather cards and a Weather Forecast Sheet
2.) Have students create a weather forecast by putting a weather card on each space on the forecast sheet.
Jede Gruppe macht eine Wettervorhersage. Stellt die Wetter Karten auf einen freien Platz. Es sollte Sinn ergeben. Also, wenn es morgen schneit, sollte es wahrscheinlich nicht heiß am Abend sein.
Main Activity
1. Have students present their weather forecasts to the group
Students can say: "am Samstag ist es ...." etc.
2. Make sure students don't clear the forecast when they are done presenting. Have them give their forecast to another pair.
Wenn ihr fertig seid, lass euer Wettervorhersage wie sie sind! Dann gibt ihre Wettervorhersage einer anderen Gruppe.
3. Give each pair a whiteboard and two whiteboard markers
4. Have students develop a schedule of activities based on the weather report they have received.
Jetzt, dass ihr eine Wettervorhersage habt, könnt ihr Wochenendepläne machen! Schreibt Aktivitäten auf. Es sollte eine Aktivität für jeden freien Platz geben.
Example:
On Friday morning it is comfortable. We can go for a walk then ("Go for a walk" written on whiteboard for Friday morning )
am Freitag Morgen ist es angenehm. Wir machen einen Spaziergang.
On Friday midday it is overcast. We can play a video game at home.
am Freitag Nachmittag ist es bewölkt. Wir spielen ein Videospiel Zuhause.
On Friday evening it is rainy. We can bake a cake.
am Freitag Abend regnet es. Wir baken einen Kuchen.
Wrap-up
Wenn man in Amerika über Wetter redet, ist das Smalltalk?
Explain that many people in Germany do not talk about weather as small talk and are genuinely interested in talking about the weather...especially when the weather is nice and sunny.
Magst du Regnen? Was machst du wenn es regnet?
End of lab:
• Read Can-Do statements once more and have students evaluate their confidence.
(Use thumbs up/thumbs down or download our student cards.)
• Encourage students to be honest in their self-evaluation.
• Pay attention, and try to use feedback for future labs!
Relevant NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:
- I can talk about familiar hobbies (Novice Low)
- I can discuss current events such as weather (Novice Mid)
- I can advise what activities would be appropriate, based on the forecast (Novice High)