Theme 1: Home Life

Daily Routine

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about daily routines in the home.
• Exchange information about family routines in the home.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify daily routines based on spoken and written description.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe daily routines.
• Describe family members in relation to daily routines.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss daily routines in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss the importance of family in daily routines in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Explore differences in health and fitness in Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare daily routines of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Chinese-speaking countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Comprehend information about daily routines of individuals in Chinese-speaking countries from print and Internet sources (journal entries, magazine articles, etc.).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to personal care
• Vocabulary for parts of the body
• Sequencing vocabulary
• Adverbs of frequency
• Review of time and time expressions

 

Rooms of the House and Household Chores

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about rooms of the house, furnishings and chores.
• Discuss the home including its rooms, furniture, and household objects.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify the rooms of the house and/or furniture based on spoken and written description.
• Comprehend comments and commands about daily chores and the house, including rooms and furnishings.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe the home including its rooms, furniture and household objects.
• Describe family members in relation to daily chores.
• Describe household responsibilities for self and/or family members.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss different styles of houses and living arrangements in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons, and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Make connections between styles of houses and geographic locations.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare household responsibilities of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Chinese-speaking countries.
• Compare and contrast space allocation in homes in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify differences in architecture of homes in Chinese-speaking countries and in the U.S.

Communication Across Communities

• Explore information about homes in Chinese-speaking countries in print and Internet resources.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to furniture and furnishings
• Affirmative and negative command
• Vocabulary related to rooms
• Vocabulary related to chores

Food

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions relating to food.
• Ask and answer questions about food at a celebration.
• Order or take an order for a meal in a variety of dining situations.
• Exchange opinions about food.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify foods based on spoken and written description.
• Understand comments and commands about foods and/or celebrations.
• Identify foods based on visual aids.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe foods and/or shopping for food.
• Describe foods and menus in relation to celebrations.
• Describe a menu or recipe from a Chinese-speaking country or region.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the different eating customs for formal and informal meals in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss the different food shopping patterns in Chinese-speaking countries (frequency, specialty shops, etc.).
• Discuss typical mealtime schedules in Chinese-speaking countries.

Communication Across Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss the influence of Chinese foods and cooking styles in the United States.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare the differences between Americans and Chinese cuisines.
• Compare the role of food in celebrations in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Contrast the eating habits and food preparation in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss the influence of American fast food on Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss the increasing popularity within the American diet of food items from Chinese-speaking countries and the effect on vocabulary.

Communication Across Communities

• Describe recipes and menus for celebrations in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify typical food products from Chinese-speaking countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to table settings
• Vocabulary related to opinions about food
• Vocabulary related to fast-food
• Courtesy expressions

Theme 2: Student Life

Classes and School Routines

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about classes and school routines.
• Give and understand basic instructions on class and school procedures.
• Exchange information about past, present and future school plans.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand announcements related to the school day and schedule.
• Understand procedures for using the computer.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
• Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and songs.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Identify some aspects of school systems of Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify educational and vocational options for students in Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast school routines in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify cognates and false cognates related to classes.

Communication Across Communities

• Describe school routines of teenagers in Chinese-speaking countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Course offerings in Chinese-speaking countries
• Educational systems of Chinese-speaking countries
• Grading procedures in Chinese-speaking countries

 

School-Related Activities

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about school-related activities.
• Exchange information about past school-related activities compared to current school-related activities.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Interpret spoken and written presentations about school-related activities.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
• Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material in Chinese about school-related activities, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and/or songs.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Describe school-related activities in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify after-school activities and extracurricular sports available in Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast the popularity of school-related activities such as yearbook, band, and theater in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify activities offered through community clubs in Chinese-speaking countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Completed action markers
• Vocabulary related to extracurricular activities

 

Health and Fitness

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about fitness and exercise.
• Ask and answer questions about a nutritional diet.
• Exchange information about maintaining good health.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understanding directions of a fitness or diet plan.
• Comprehend information advocating a healthy lifestyle.
• Identify body parts based on oral or written information.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations about health and fitness.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Discuss the importance of health and fitness in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss health and fitness issues as presented in P. E. class.
• Express height and weight using the metric system.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast what is perceived as a healthy lifestyle in Chinese-speaking countries and in the U.S.
• Compare fitness activities and sports complexes (such as gyms) in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.
• Compare structures used to express pain and injury in Chinese and English.

Communication Across Communities

• Interpret authentic Chinese language material related to health and fitness.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for giving advice for good health

Theme 3: Leisure Time

Indoor and Outdoor Activities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about indoor and outdoor activities.
• Share opinions about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend spoken or written narratives about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Understand announcements and advertisements about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Present information about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Describe when, where, and how often one participates in indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Tell about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities that took place in the past.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss how and where young people spend leisure time in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss popular sports and sporting events in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss famous Chinese-speaking individuals studied in other classes (sports figures, musicians, artists, etc.).

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.
• Compare the amount of time and money spent on indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.

Communication Across Communities

• Explore information about indoor and outdoor activities in Chinese-speaking countries in print and Internet sources.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for locations for leisure time activities
• Vocabulary for expressing opinions
• Sequencing vocabulary
• Formal and informal questions
• Adjectives of description

 

Shopping

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to shopping.
• Ask for and give a detailed description of an item being purchased.
• Ask and answer questions regarding where items can be purchased and for how much.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify and comprehend descriptions of items in an advertisement.
• Comprehend oral and written information about where specific items can be purchased.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Tell about the purchase and/or sale of an item.
• Relate a shopping experience.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Identify currencies of Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify shopping customs in Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Compare merchandise prices in the U.S. to prices in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify currencies in various Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify famous people studied in other classes who are portrayed on currency from Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare the custom of bargaining in Chinese-speaking countries and in the U.S.
• Discuss the American influence on stores and products in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss unique crafts and specialties in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Compare shopping venues in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify merchandise available on the Internet, through catalogs and/or in advertisements from Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify international job opportunities related to retail and marketing.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Expressions of quantity
• Expressions of politeness
• Descriptive adjectives
• Expressions of comparison

 

Special Events

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to special events (e.g. holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.).
• Ask for and give a detailed description of a special event.
• Ask and answer questions regarding plans for a special event.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend descriptions of items needed for a special event.
• Comprehend invitations and announcements for special events.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Invite others to attend a special event.
• Describe a past, present or future celebration.
• Present rehearsed and nonrehearsed material related to a special event, such as a skit, poem, play or song.
• Respond to an invitation orally or in writing.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Identify holidays and typical celebrations of Chinese-speaking countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss traditional foods served at special events in Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare and contrast holidays and celebrations in Chinese-speaking countries and the United States.
• Identify cognates and false cognates related to holidays.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify opportunities to attend special events or celebrations of Chinese-speaking countries in the metropolitan area.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to celebrations (food, activities)
• Extending, accepting, and refusing invitations
• Extending good wishes

Theme 4: Vacation and Travel

Travel Plans and Activities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Discuss and make travel plans.
• Ask and answer questions about travel and vacations, to include transportation schedules, modes of transportation, destinations and activities.
• Discuss past travel experience.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Interpret materials providing travel information.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe past travel experiences and future travel plans.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss common modes of transportation in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss typical vacation spots and resorts in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss what teens in Chinese-speaking countries enjoy doing while on vacation.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss temperature and weather in Chinese-speaking countries.
• Discuss the use of the  24-hour clock Chinese-speaking countries.
• Identify the geographical locations of Chinese-speaking countries and their neighboring countries.
• Do mathematical computations to figure travel costs.
• Discuss the impact of current events on foreign travel.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare travel and vacations in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking countries.
• Compare the importance of public transportation in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Utilize authentic materials to make travel plans to go to or travel within Chinese-speaking countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Modes of transportation
• Prepositions with places and transportation
• Vocabulary for places of interest

 

Countries and Nationalities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about nationality and country of origin.
• Ask and answer questions about countries.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify various countries and nationalities.
• Interpret maps of Chinese-speaking regions.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Discuss countries, cities, and languages spoken in Chinese-speaking regions.
• Give geographical locations for countries, cities, and geographical features.
• Present information about nationalities and/or origins.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the impact of geography of daily life.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss or write about news events related to the geography of Chinese-speaking countries.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Increase the awareness of various socioeconomic groups in Chinese-speaking countries and in the United States.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and use resources with information about Chinese-speaking countries (Internet, brochures, etc.).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for geographic locations
• Prepositions of location with cities and countries

 

Asking for and Giving Directions

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask for and give directions.
• Discuss where various places are located within a Chinese-speaking country.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand written and spoken directions.
• Interpret directions with the assistance of a map.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Tell about going to specific places using various time frames (past, present and future).
• Give directions to a destination.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss typical modes of transportation and places found in Chinese-speaking cities and countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Use map-reading skills to interpret a map of a Chinese-speaking city or region.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Identify similarities and differences between American cities and cities in Chinese-speaking countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Access and interpret maps from Chinese-speaking countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Places of interest in Chinese-speaking cities
• Modes of transportation in Chinese-speaking cities and countries
• Places to go for directions in Chinese-speaking countries