ПУТЕШЕСТВИЯ ПО РОССИИTRAVELS AROUND RUSSIA

Russian Heritage Language Learners

Intermediate/Intermediate High

5 Class Periods (50 min/period)

ABSTRACT This unit is designed for Russian heritage language learners

who already know how to speak, read, and write Russian fairly well – at least at an Intermediate level. However, this unit can also be modified to work with any language, since it revolves around geography. Geography is universal, and language learners can take their previous knowledge of geography in one language, and expand upon it with the other language, in this case their heritage language. This unit frames learning about geography in Russia around travel; new geography and travel vocabulary is introduced, specialized texts are used, and, just as importantly, verbs of motion, which can be difficult for all learners of Russian, are focused on. These scaffolding techniques help build upon the students’ previous knowledge and help motivate them for this unit. The unit starts with a short lecture, which introduces the new vocabulary, then transitions to creating and practicing dialogues, writing short compositions, and finally doing a research project and presenting it in small groups. Group work and exclusive use of the heritage language is crucial to this unit.

Unit Created by: Isaiah White, Karina Eremetova, Nadezda Berkovich

OBJECTIVESContent Objectives: Enhance reading, writing, and speaking skills

in geography and travel-related topics

Language Objectives: Use heritage language exclusively Enrich and enlarge vocabulary relating to

geography and travel Develop proficiency in reading popular and

specialized texts Usage of transitional words and phrases Verbs of motion, appropriate cases and

prepositions

MATERIALS USEDMaterials Used: Online resources – maps, travel websites,

online ads maps, travel advertisements, travel websites

Physical media – brochures, guidebooks, texts on Russian geography

Videos about traveling

Assessment:1. Formative: group work observation, quizzes2. Summative Final Oral Presentation

OUR STUDENTSStrengths

Strong speaking, listening, and comprehension skillsAble to write complex sentencesAble to discuss abstract ideas and topics

Weaknesses:Lack of topic specific vocabulary and writing and reading fluencyBe able to carry out formal and informal conversation as appropriateHave trouble understanding technical, content-specific conversations (ie. Business, medicine, technology)

Unit PrerequisitesHave intermediate skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening (Intermediate/Intermediate High)Have already had considerable experience reading novice & intermediate texts, can write using complex sentences and higher-level knowledge, and can speak well and understand even better

DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION Differentiated Assessment: Final project is

assessed according to level of individual students

Final Project: adjusting to different skills of HL – students can choose the final form of presentation Example: flyer (easiest), brochure (hardest)

DAY 1: INTRODUCTION TO LESSON Introduction to content and language objectives Templates for oral presentation and writing

assignments Familiarize with the grading system

Students evaluated using rubric, differentiated for different levels of HLLs (based on 2012 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines)

Pre-testMultiple choice quiz about Russian geography

Students take, teacher collects, holds until end of unit

DAY 1: INTRODUCTION CONTINUED Discussion of geography of Russia

Introduce new vocabulary, transitional phrases, verbs of motion during a discussion of Russian geography (10 min)

Practice exercise (10 min) Students, in pairs, have a map with blanks, need to fill in

the blanks with city names, seas, neighboring countries Extra assignment (if time allows)

Introduce template with a sample dialogue about buying a plane or train ticket

Watch video (buying tickets, conversation w/ agent) (10 min) point out unit vocabulary, important transitional phrases,

verbs of motion used (real-life application) role-play

DAY 1(CONTUED): VOCABULARY(SPEAKING)

Practice activity for new vocabularyDivide into pairs: American visits Russian friendCreate a dialogue that includes new vocabulary

and makes connections to previously-learned vocabulary Greetings Engage in small talk (making connections) Questions about Russia – geography, holidays, climate, etc. Assign vocabulary words (flashcards) to each pair to use in their

dialogue

Homework: Read text that contains new vocabulary; practice pronunciation and spelling of new words

DAY 2:WRITING

Warm-up with new vocabularyShow English word, have students say Russian

equivalent Students will read a traveler’s blog in class about

his/her recent trip in some part of Russia – work in pairs

Will create a comment to the blogAsk at least three questionsUse vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and

transitional phrases Incorporate verbs of motion (ходить) and means

of transportation (лететь на самолете, ехать на машине)

DAY 3(READING & SPEAKING)

Introducing new travel materials: travel brochures, guides, websites, and advertisement sites (25 min) Instructor shows 2-3 examples of Russian travel websites Students go to these websites and pick a tour of Russia Discussion

Pros/cons Talk about routes and means of travel Incorporate transitional phrases (я считаю, во первых)

Travel advertising (Final Project) (15 min) Show examples of advertisements (newspapers, websites,

videos, travel magazine advertisements)Homework: Have students think about what type of

advertisement they would create if they were director of tourism for a city.

DAY 4(READING, WRITING & SPEAKING)

Advertisement Project (Final Project)Group students (3-4 per group)Students choose an advertisement project from

either a brochure, flyer, poster Students pick a city or a region to advertise Community: Advertisement targeted to students’ family,

friends (target language)Students work on project

Project needs to include: City or region name, local attractions and landmarks,

DAY 5 Presentation!

Presenters need to create list of vocabulary and questions that will be distributed to classmates

During presentation, audience needs to take notes to answer questions and prepare questions to the presenters

WRAP-UP

• Post-test: Students take the same quiz they took on the first day of unit Hand back pre-test, students compare results to see their

progress Exit-cards: Each student fills out an exit-card, listing

three things they learned to hand in to teacher

ONLINE RESOURCES USED IN CLASS Страна.ру. Все путешествия по России: http://strana.ru/

Форум о России. Путешествия по России. Маршруты выходного дня: http://forum.awd.ru/viewforum.php?f=182

Журнал “Путешествие по России”: http://www.snpg.ru/almanah.html

По России - АВТО путешествия: http://ladyauto.ru/index.php?mod=122

Планета Дорог - Путешествия по России. Туризм в России: http://www.roadplanet.ru/home/top10/

Путешествия по России: Fantasy Way: http://www.fantasyway.ru/

Лоцман Путешествий по России: Золотое кольцо, достопримечательности...: http://www.trip-guide.ru/

"По России на авто" - о путешествиях на автомобиле: http://autotravel.ru/

RussiaOutdoors - Путешествия по России: http://www.outdoors.ru/russiaoutdoors/882/index.php

Путешествия по России: http://www.riverland.ru/russia

...по России из Санкт-Петербурга | Туры по России 2012 | Путешествия...: http://akvarel.ru/category/0

Путешествия России | Туристические поездки по городам России: http://www.orfey.net/tours/index.php?level=1&SECTION_ID=24