Culture, Content, and Language in the K-8 Classroom Carol Ann Dahlberg

Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum University of Iowa November 6, 2005 Dr. Carol Ann Dahlberg Professor emerita in Education Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

Insights about Immersion (ca. 1983) Immersion classes are “just class” Immersion classes are “just class!”

Content Emphasis at K-6/8 Immersion research and program success Rationale for including foreign languages in the crowded K-6 day Pressure of other cross-curriculum emphases: HOTS, global education, multicultural education…

Challenges to Culture Teaching Content focus soaks up time and effort Many teachers lack experience with the culture Lack of age-appropriate materials in the target language

Popular “Culture-Free” Strategies TPR--Total Physical Response James Asher TPRS--TPR Storytelling (now Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) Blaine Ray

A Framework for Curriculum Development for FLES Programs (Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools)

a aa Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level

a aa Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Thematic Center Theme

a aa Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Thematic Center Theme Standards Outcomes Final Assessment

a aa Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Thematic Center Theme Standards Outcomes Final Assessment

a aa Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Language in Use Subject Content Culture Thematic Center

Language in Use Subject Content Culture

Perspectives Practices Products

Language in Use Subject Content Culture

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Activities Instructional Materials Classroom Setting Grammatical Structures Vocabulary Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Culture Subject Content Language in Use Thematic Center Assessments

Culture Subject Content Language in Use Thematic Center Grammatical Structures Activities Vocabulary Classroom Setting Instructional Materials Grammatical Structures Vocabulary Classroom Setting Instructional Materials Activities Assessments

Grammatical Structures Activities Vocabulary Classroom Setting Instructional Materials Culture Subject Content Language in Use Thematic Center Assessments

Grammatical Structures Activities Vocabulary Classroom Setting Instructional Materials Thematic Center Culture Subject Content Language in Use Assessments

Grammatical Structures Assessments Activities Vocabulary Classroom Setting Instructional Materials Thematic Center Culture Subject Content Language in Use

Assessments Activities Instructional Materials Classroom Setting Grammatical Structures Vocabulary Developmental Level Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Teacher Characteristics Learner Characteristics Learning Style Experiential Background Developmental Level Culture Subject Content Language in Use Thematic Center Thematic Center Theme Standards Outcomes Final Assessment

Language in Use Subject Content Culture Connections Cultures Communication Comparisons

Connections Communication Cultures Communities

Connections Communities Comparisons Cultures Communication Thematic Center Theme Standards Outcomes Final Assessment

Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century

Connections Comparisons Communities Cultures Communication

NAEP Assessment Framework for 2004

Wisconsin DPI, 2002

Cultural Symbols flags, insignia related to children’s interests significant national or geographic monuments good and bad luck symbols symbolic meanings of animals heroes of history or myth

Cultural Symbols symbols (and products) associated with holidays

Cultural Products traditional children’s songs, rhymes, and games currency, coins, stamps, and other realia traditional stories and legends examples of folk arts

Cultural Products significant examples of the musical arts (artists, composers) traditional and holiday foods significant examples of the visual arts (and artists) important characters, events, and themes from folk literature

Cultural Practices forms of greeting celebration of holidays use of gestures meals and eating practices patterns of politeness children’s games “sightseeing” trips in the country

Cultural Practices proximity types of and attitudes toward pets how children and families move from place to place shopping favorite playtime, recreation activities home and school life

Throughlearninglanguage we learn about culture. Throughlearning about culture we learn tolerance for others. appreciation for others