Why is the Cat not in the

Zodiac?

project-based learning and world

language and culture

Students show through projects what they can Students show through projects what they can do with what they knowdo with what they know

Start with open-ended question that require Start with open-ended question that require critical thinking and researchcritical thinking and research

Let students decide what they want to Let students decide what they want to communicate in Chinesecommunicate in Chinese

What is project-based learning?

What they know:

Lesson 7 Animals in Far East Chinese for Youth ILesson 7 Animals in Far East Chinese for Youth I

Most animals in the zodiac: Most animals in the zodiac: 鼠，牛，虎，兔，鼠，牛，虎，兔， ？？ 蛇，蛇， 马，羊，猴，鸡，马，羊，猴，鸡， 狗，猪狗，猪

Animals not in the zodiac: Animals not in the zodiac: 鸟，熊猫鸟，熊猫 , , 鱼鱼

Different verbs: Different verbs: 飞，跑，飞，跑， 叫，叫， 爬爬

Sentence Structure: Sentence Structure: 会。。。吗？会。。。吗？ 会不会。。。？会不会。。。？

What they learned from research

Chinese culture through folkloresChinese culture through folklores

The way of keeping time and Chinese The way of keeping time and Chinese astrologyastrology

Different traits of animals: cultural symbols Different traits of animals: cultural symbols

What they do

Puppet skit to present to the school Puppet skit to present to the school community on what they know about the community on what they know about the Chinese zodiacChinese zodiac

Show creativity when they want to add Bird to Show creativity when they want to add Bird to the storythe story

Connect with other subjects such as art when Connect with other subjects such as art when making the props and design costumemaking the props and design costume

R.E.A.L principle and the project

Main aspects of the project fit the principles Main aspects of the project fit the principles used in the classroomused in the classroom

R: RelevantR: Relevant

E: EngagingE: Engaging

A: AutonomousA: Autonomous

L: LiveL: Live

R: Relevant

The project was done during Chinese New Year The project was done during Chinese New Year of 2010-relevant and appropriate contentof 2010-relevant and appropriate content

Students reported that it is much easier to Students reported that it is much easier to understand and remember the order of the understand and remember the order of the zodiac after the skit projectzodiac after the skit project

E: Engaging

Students love the story and the stuffed animals, so Students love the story and the stuffed animals, so they are naturally engaged and motivated.they are naturally engaged and motivated.

Researches show different parts of the brain:Researches show different parts of the brain:

Left Side of BrainLeft Side of Brain Right side of BrainRight side of Brain

-Facts and rules-Facts and rules -Emotions-Emotions

(vocabulary, grammar)(vocabulary, grammar) (expression, fun )(expression, fun )

A: Autonomous

-project-based learning does not require a right or -project-based learning does not require a right or wrong answerwrong answer

-Give student the autonomy of choosing the most -Give student the autonomy of choosing the most enticing story and ownership in writing, acting and enticing story and ownership in writing, acting and editing.editing.

-Teamwork: Class needs to agree on one story-Teamwork: Class needs to agree on one story

-Controlled Autonomy: Required contents (previously -Controlled Autonomy: Required contents (previously learned vocabulary and structures) to uselearned vocabulary and structures) to use

L: Live

Presentation in School’s Chinese New Year Presentation in School’s Chinese New Year AssemblyAssembly

Keep Chinese live within the community Keep Chinese live within the community outside the schooloutside the school

I-movie uploaded on school website for I-movie uploaded on school website for parentsparents

Vocabulary and structures used

Textbook content comes alive through skitTextbook content comes alive through skit