Italiano per la settimana 8 fino alla fine delle vacanze

Italian for Week 8 through to the end of the holidays.

Ciao a tutti

Molto importante! Before accessing any online content, it is very important you ask your parents, first, and then show them what it is you are doing.

Please access the Wattle Grove Primary School Italian Blog for all the vocabulary you have been focusing on this term. Revise vocabulary from previous years from the tabs at the top.

Movies in Italian

If you have access to Netflix, Stan or other movie streaming channels, choose a favourite movie, one you are very familiar with, (Disney movies are great) and change the audio so you listen to it in Italian and add English subtitles. Then watch the same movie again but this time listen to it in English and change the subtitles to Italian.

Games you can play with your brothers and sisters.
Simone dice (Simon says).

One person is Simone. Your brothers and/or sisters stand in a straight line. Simone then calls out in Italian the part of the body which your siblings much touch. Everyone must follow this instruction. If someone doesn’t do it, or they touch the wrong body part, they are out and must sit down. If Simon calls out an instruction without saying "Simone dice", anyone who obeys this instruction are out and must sit down. The last person standing wins, and becomes the next Simone.  Per esempio:

Years 4 to 6 Challenge

Create a *KAHOOT for each of Years 1, 2 and 3 students, that adhere to the following themes:

·         Year 1: Animal domestici (domestic animals/pets) colori (colours), buon maniere (good manners), numeri da 1 a 20 (numbers 1 to 20) and saluti (greetings).

·         Year 2: Giorni della settimana (days of the week), mese dell anno (months of the year), cibo (food) - think of what the Little Hungry Caterpillar eats, or else every day foods including fruits and vegetables, parti di corpo (parts of the body).

·         Year 3: La mia famiglia e mia casa (My family and my house).

*If you are unable to use Kahoot, design a set of quiz questions that have multiple choice or true/false answers. For example:

Q1. How do you say ‘my sister’?

A.      Mio sorello	B.      Mia sorello
C.      Mia sorella	D.      Mio fratello

Create a game of Tombola (Bingo)

Choose a theme that you are interested in. It can be one you have studied before or something else that interests you. Research the Italian vocabulary for your theme and create a Tombola card (see the template idea below). Make up some flashcards...find an image and write the Italian word. Practice your game with your brothers and/or sisters. Some examples of themes may include:

                  Sport

                  Transport  

                  Pets

                  Wild animals

                  Clothing

                  Family

                  Food (Fruits and vegetables)

                  Nature

                  At the beach

      Example of a Tombola Card and Flashcard

                

Per favore, pensa all'Italia

Ciao a tutti.

As Australia begins its fight to overcome the Coronavirus, please think of the beautiful Italian people of Italy and all our friends and family from every country around the world that have been showing such incredible courage and resilience as they face, and continue to face, perhaps the biggest test any of us will experience in our life time.

I feel so blessed to be a teacher at Wattle Grove Primary School, for I know that we will all support each other and work together to get through the next few weeks of uncertainty. We have THE most amazing students and when school does return to what we all know and love, I am certain everyone will continue to demonstrate just how our resilient we are and how much we care about our school.

To all my wonderful students, please keep your bright and creative minds alive through learning every day. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting suggestions for activities, games and projects you can do at home, to help you with your Italian learning. In fact, this will be a wonderful opportunity to do a little bit of learning every day - for we know, to learn a language well, we need to practice every day.

To start with, please be sure to go through your vocabulary warm-ups at least twice a week - you can access them under your year level tab. Why not challenge yourself and try the warm-ups for another year group? Perhaps you could create your own! Also, check out some of the educational games and other suggestions on the Online Links tab. Lastly, please check this Blog at least twice a week for updates.

Fine alla prossima volta.

Signora Isaia

Benvenuti genitori, famiglie e amici

Welcome parents, family and friends 

to the Italian Program at Wattle Grove Primary School.

Dear Parents and Guardians

My name is Kylie Isaia (or as I am known to the students, Signora Isaia). This is my fifth year teaching Italian at Wattle Grove, after a tremendously exciting four years getting to know your children. I feel truly blessed teaching at a school with such cultural diversity and high expectations of student learning. Just as I am confident your children have engaged and learned a lot about the Italian language and culture, I too have learned from your children, their culture, their thirst for knowledge, their unique talents and personalities. 

In 2020 all students from years 2 to 6 will revise and extend their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of the Italian culture. For families with students in year 1, commencing their Italian learning journey, I wish to take this opportunity to introduce myself and provide you a summary of my approach to teaching and learning, as well as a bit about the Italian program for this year.

A little about myself….

I married into an Italian family over 20 years ago and quickly resurrected my love for the Italian language and culture having studied it for several years at school. Over the last 10 years my family have derived immense reward from hosting Italian exchange students, building lifelong relationships with them and their families. I have been fortunate to travel to Italy to absorb myself in the language and the culture and have witnessed firsthand the profound benefits my daughters have gained from their own independent exchange experiences. 

Benefits of learning an additional language

In 2018 the Australian Government recognised the benefits of children learning an additional language, reintroducing a compulsory language curriculum for primary and early secondary students, supporting six languages, including Italian. “Research shows learning languages develops children’s overall literacy, strengthening literacy-related capabilities that are transferable across learning areas” (Australian Government Early Learning Languages Initiative, 2015).  As well as teaching values of acceptance, tolerance and understanding of other cultures, learning an additional language has far reaching advantages including enhanced communication, academic and critical thinking skills and significantly, personal skills including increased self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience (Department of Education, NSW).

Why Italian?

The Italian language is considered to be one of the closest languages to English with a large percentage of both languages derived from Latin origins. For the many students at Wattle Grove that have English as their second language, Italian will assist in enriching their English vocabulary due to many similar and familiar language roots. Phonetically, Italian is one of the easiest foreign languages to read, write and pronounce. Competence in the Italian language may provide future career opportunities particularly in the areas of the arts, music, sciences, film, fashion, cuisine and hospitality.  Knowledge of Italian may be particularly  beneficial for students studying music and is often necessary for tertiary academic, business and social research students (Italian Language Centre).  Of course for families hoping to travel to Italy and the many parts of Europe where Italian is spoken, being able to speak a little of the local language can add immense satisfaction to the travel experience.

Italian at Wattle Grove Primary School

The Italian program for 2020 will incorporate study of both the language and culture. It is designed in accordance with the outcome requirements of the Western Australian Curriculum. Students will be taught in line with a whole school explicit instruction approach, including weekly vocabulary warm-ups designed to aid retention. With my personal background in music and the theatre arts, lessons will be designed to engage students and delivered to meet different learning styles, for example, through the use of technology, drama, music and play-based activities in conjunction with more formal delivery styles.

Homework and how you can help

Learning a new language requires commitment and regular practice.  As the timetable is only able to accommodate a 50 minute period, once per week, parents can assist their children by prompting them to share new words they have learned each week.  Homework will only ever consist of a few words, a phrase, or a sentence that I will encourage and challenge children to find ways of incorporating into daily conversations.

For families and children wanting to extend their knowledge, I recommend the program Duolingo, available free both online at www.duolingo.com and also as an iPad/phone application. The program provides mini lessons that can be completed in as little as 5 minutes, and enables children to set their own learning goals.

If you would like to learn more about the Italian program for 2020, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you. I am available by appointment by phoning the school. 

Apprendimento felice! Happy learning!

Buon Natale e Buon Anno a Tutti

After another busy year for the Italian program, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my wonderful students and their families, a very safe and happy holiday period.

For those students who would like to continue their Italian learning throughout the holidays, I would recommend watching a favourite movie and changing the subtitles or the audio into Italian. Both are very effective means of exposing children to new vocabulary, whilst helping them to cement existing knowledge. For families with Netflix or Stan, the option to change the language is available through the settings menu. Most movies on DVD will also have the option of changing the language. Whilst not all movies or television series offer the Italian language, most will. It is helpful to choose a movie that is very familiar to the children, as this will provide context and assist in their understanding.

2020 will see the introduction of the compulsory Year 5 Language Curriculum, and the use of more technology across all year groups. Don't forget there will be an Italian assembly, the first Friday back in Term 3. I would ask you put it in your diaries and please attend if you possibly can. The children work so hard at developing their language skills, and they love the opportunity to show them off to an audience.

Have a wonderful holiday break everyone.

Buon Natale e Buon Anno

Signora Isaia 

Assemblea Italiana

In the first assembly of Term 3 in Week 1, children from Years 1 to 6 showcased a little of what they have been learning in Italian through music.

Learning a language through music assists immensely with acquisition and retention of vocabulary and grammar patterns. Language and music have been described as ‘kindred spirits’. Both have rhythm, tone, melody, pitch, volume and pauses. Both can be learned through repeated exposure. Learning the lyrics of a particular language presents vocabulary in specific context. Children demonstrated this notion as they sang of concepts familiar and relevant to their world. All the children performed with energy and passion.

The assembly opened with a rousing chorus of the Wattle Grove Primary School Song in Italian by Year 3 to Year 6 children. Year 1s stole hearts with their bright singing and adorable actions to Buongiorno [a song of greetings] and Se Sei Felice Tu Lo Sai (If You're Happy and You Know it). Year 2s and 3s bopped along enthusiastically to Il Leone Si Addormentato (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and Year 4s tackled the most complicated lyrics of the morning with a high energy version of Due Liocorni (Two Unicorns - The Italian version of The Unicorn Song).

I was particularly proud when all children from Years 1 to 6 sang and performed the actions to the very catchy tune Grande e Piccolo. It was great to see even some of the more reluctant seniors joining in and obviously having some fun.

The assembly was brought to a close with a heart-warming rendition of Mi Rialzerai [You Raise Me Up], a Pop Opera song selected for the theme of resilience, a value all teachers at Wattle Grove have been working toward instilling in their students. I was overwhelmed with how beautifully and powerfully the senior students sang this particularly poignant ballad and from what I have heard, a few tears were shed. Our goal was to touch our audience's hearts, and we believe we achieved this. Of note, were the words spoken by Shirlina (Room 8) over the top of the instrumental. Shirlina impressed me with her outstanding articulation of some difficult Italian prose. She spoke confidently and with perfect expression.

Signora Q and I were so very proud of all the students whom all gave 120%, as is the Wattle Grove Way. Special mention also goes to Aadidev (Room 18) and Jessica (Room 8) who were selected as the presenters. They took on the challenge with courage and enthusiasm and were brilliant!

It was a joyous assembly that could not have been achieved without the support and dedication of Signora Q. I felt both humbled and privileged to be a part of bringing the school together through music and the beauty of the Italian language.

Please note: Photographs and video footage to follow.
Signora Isaia

Aggiornamento Trimestre Due (Term Two Update)

Ciao a tutti

As can be expected, Term 2 has been extremely busy with all year levels continuing assessment in preparation for the reporting period. As well, each year level has taken on the challenge of learning a new song in Italian which will be presented at the first assembly back in Term 3.

 Earlier in the term, children in years 1 to 3 learned some new vocabulary and created a small piece of art to share with their beautiful mums and grandmothers in honour of the Festa Della Mamma (Mother's Day). In Italy, Mother's Day is celebrated on the same date as in Australia, that is, the second Sunday in May. Italian mothers and grandmothers are honoured by their children in similar ways to how many families celebrate their mums in Australia. Very often children will create small gifts in school and join with family to celebrate over a feast. Many families will take their mums out for lunch or dinner and others may spend the day playing games, engaging in sporting activities, or simply spoiling mum with a restful day at home watching a movie.

Year 4 students are coming to the end of a unit of work on sport and hobbies. This week they were introduced to a popular Italian children's game, Il Lupo Mangia Frutta (The wolf eats fruit) which I adapted to Il Lupo Gioca Sport (the wolf plays sport). It has been lovely to be able to take children out of the classroom setting and enjoy some time in the fresh air to play whilst learning new vocabulary and building understanding of the Italian culture.

Students in Years 5 and 6 have been steadily consolidating their skills in translating to and from the Italian language. I have been particularly impressed with the perseverance of many students who have been required to resit assessments in order to achieve competency. Learning a language is difficult and requires practice every day. Understandably this is not possible with students at these year levels having so many competing priorities. Every student at Wattle Grove Primary School can be proud of their Italian learning achievements, particularly for the fact they have such a short period of 50 minutes per week to learn.

Tanti auguri a tutti.
Signora Isaia

Benvenuti genitori, famiglie e amici

Welcome parents, families and friends 

to the Italian Program at Wattle Grove Primary School.

My name is Kylie Isaia (or as I am known to the students, Signora Isaia). This is my fourth year teaching Italian at Wattle Grove, after a tremendously exciting three years getting to know your children. I feel truly blessed teaching at a school with such cultural diversity and high expectations of student learning. Just as I am confident your children have engaged and learned a lot about the Italian language and culture, I too have learned from your children, their culture, their thirst for knowledge, their unique talents and personalities. 

In 2019 all students from years 2 to 6 will revise and extend their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of the Italian culture. For families with students in year 1, commencing their Italian learning journey, I wish to take this opportunity to introduce myself and provide you a summary of my approach to teaching and learning, as well as a bit about the Italian program for this year.

A little about myself….

I married into an Italian family 20 years ago and quickly resurrected my love for the Italian language and culture having studied it for several years at school. Over the last 10 years my family have derived immense reward from hosting Italian exchange students, building lifelong relationships with them and their families. I have been fortunate to travel to Italy to absorb myself in the language and the culture and I have witnessed firsthand the profound benefits my daughters have gained from their own independent exchange experiences. 

Benefits of learning an additional language

The Australian Government have recognised the benefits of children learning an additional language, reintroducing a compulsory language curriculum for primary and early secondary students commencing this year and supporting six languages, including Italian. “Research shows learning languages develops children’s overall literacy, strengthening literacy-related capabilities that are transferable across learning areas” (Australian Government Early Learning Languages Initiative, 2015).  As well as teaching values of acceptance, tolerance and understanding of other cultures, learning an additional language has far reaching advantages including enhanced communication, academic and critical thinking skills and significantly, personal skills including increased self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience (Department of Education, NSW).

Why Italian?

The Italian language is considered to be one of the closest languages to English with a large percentage of both languages derived from Latin origins. For the many students at Wattle Grove that have English as their second language, Italian will assist in enriching their English vocabulary due to many similar and familiar language roots. Phonetically, Italian is one of the easiest foreign languages to read, write and pronounce. Competence in the Italian language may provide future career opportunities particularly in the areas of the arts, music, sciences, film, fashion, cuisine and hospitality.  Knowledge of Italian may be particularly  beneficial for students studying music and is often necessary for tertiary academic, business and social research students (Italian Language Centre).  Of course for families hoping to travel to Italy and the many parts of Europe where Italian is spoken, being able to speak a little of the local language can add immense satisfaction to the travel experience.

Italian at Wattle Grove Primary School

The Italian program for 2019 will incorporate study of both the language and culture. It is designed in accordance with the outcome requirements of the Western Australian Curriculum. Students will be taught in line with a whole school explicit instruction approach, including weekly vocabulary warm-ups designed to aid retention. With my personal background in music and the theatre arts, lessons will be designed to engage students and delivered to meet different learning styles, for example, through the use of technology, drama, music and play-based activities in conjunction with more formal delivery styles.

Homework and how you can help

Learning a new language requires commitment and regular practice.  As the timetable is only able to accommodate a 50 minute period, once per week, parents can assist their children by prompting them to share new words they have learned each week.  Homework will only ever consist of a few words, a phrase, or a sentence that I will encourage and challenge children to find ways of incorporating into daily conversations.

For families and children wanting to extend their knowledge, I recommend the program Duolingo, available free both online at www.duolingo.com and also as an iPad/phone application. The program provides mini lessons that can be completed in as little as 5 minutes, and enables children to set their own learning goals.

If you would like to learn more about the Italian program for 2019, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you. I am available by appointment by phoning the school on 9453 6722.