Unit of Inquiry
Throughout this unit, we will inquire into How We Express Ourselves. Student will explore the pronunciation and writing rules of Pinyin initials, finals and whole recognition syllables by play-based learning that will enrich the learning content of Pinyin and enhance students’ interest in learning Chinese. They will use Pinyin as a language tool to identify Chinese characters, autonomous literacy, and independent reading.
Central Idea: The sounds of language are a symbolic way of representing ideas and objects.
Key Concepts:
1. Form – What is it like?
2. Perspective – What are the points of view?
3. Connection – How is it linked to other things?
Related Concepts: Rules, Ideas, Sounds
Lines of Inquiry:
1. The sounds of language
2. The grammatical rules of the language
3. Sounds of language can represent ideas and objects
Learner Profile Attributes: Risk-taker, Thinker & Reflective
Approaches to Learning:
Communication Skills: Symbolic Exploration & Expression – Reading, Writing & Mathematics
C4.1.3 Access a variety of sources for information and pleasure.
Thinking Skills: Creative Thinking – Considering New Perspectives
T2.2.1 Seek information.
Summative Assessment:
For our summative assessment, each student’s role is a publisher and work in a famous Chinese publishing house. They are responsible for selecting resources suitable for children to learn Chinese, including nursery rhymes, tongue twisters and Tang poetry. By editing Chinese Pinyin and Chinese Characters, illustrating, and dubbing, they will make e-books so that children all over the world can hear the sound of Chinese language and learn Chinese.
What can you do for your child at home:
Pinyin is closely connected to pronunciation. You can use interesting songs and Chinese nursery rhymes to reinforce the individual sounds and basic building blocks of Pinyin. You can also read Chinese stories to provide meaningful context that will help your child make sense of Pinyin. In addition, Physical Response (TPR)is one of the most established and effective methods in language teaching, by using physical movement to react to verbal input. You can use movements with rhyme for child to understand the pronunciation of the four different tones.
Key Vocabulary:
Sounds 声音, Pinyin 拼音, Rules 规则,Syllables 音节, Pronunciation 发音, Initials 声母, Finals 韵母, Chinese characters 汉字, Reading 阅读, Ideas 想法,Objects 事物