Language Settings

Concepts

Related concepts Key concepts

Communication Form, change, causation

Language Perspective, responsibility

Transdisciplinary theme

“How we express ourselves”An inquiry into the ways in which we discover

and express ideas, feelings, and values.

Central idea: People change their language depending on their purpose.

Lines of inquiry•The function of different types of communication.

•The different purposes of language.

What teacher questions will drive these inquiries?What are the differences between talking to adults and talking to people your own age? How has technology affected the ways in which people communicate? What should we be careful of when communicating with others?

Summative assessment taskStudents will be able to choose one of three possible situations. Each situation will require two short dialogues. They will write the script for these dialogues and perform them for the teacher:

Rubric: Vocabulary 2pts, Intonation 2pts, Body Language 2pts, Volume 2pts, Eye Contact 2pts

ASKING SOMEONE FOR HELP

GETTING ADVICE DISCUSSING A PROBLEM AT SCHOOL

-to a classmate-to a teacher

-from an older brother or sister-from a parent

-with a fellow student-with your director

Summative assessment students’ expectations

•When speaking to people of their same age or in informal situations, students are expected to speak using friendly, colloquial language.

•When speaking to adults or in formal situations, students are expected to speak using a respectful tone of voice, and academic language with more advanced vocabulary.

• Students will create two different invitations.

• Students will create an invitation for a classmate to their birthday party.

• Students will create an invitation for a teacher to their primary graduation ceremony.

Diagnostic assessment

Transdisciplinary skills & attributes 

Explanation: Students will make two lists on their page. One column is entitled formal, and the other informal. For each column students will come up with 5 people or situations in which they would use this type of language. For differentiated instruction the advanced students will say why. Communicators, Respect

Transdisciplinary skills & attributesInterpretation:

Students will listen to different recorded conversations and decipher which is formal and which is informal. They will jot down words or phrases which helped them decide. Thinkers, Communication skills: listeningApplication: Students will respond appropriately in writing to 2 different emails, one formal and one informal. Communicators, Respect

Transdisciplinary skills & attributesPerspective:

Students will conduct a class survey asking, “Do you address your teachers formally or informally, and why?” Inquirers, Research skills: collecting data.Empathy: Put yourself in the position of the director of the school. How would you feel if a student spoke to you disrespectfully? Thinkers, Empathy

Transdisciplinary skills & attributes

Self-knowledge: Go back and re-evaluate the explanation activity. Make a plan of action for one formal situation and one informal situation, and a list of possible successes this will help you achieve. Reflective, commitment