Elicit an exchange and discussion on participation in community activities.
Maintain a discussion related to topics such as education, travel, and involvement in today's society.
Discuss topics related to adulthood.
Debate what makes one a responsible citizen.
Discuss personal rights and responsibilities of young adults.
Discuss a citizen's responsibility to vote and be informed politically.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Understand written and oral materials on the role of the young adult in his or her community.
Understand spoken or written information given by community organizations, schools and the media.
Comprehend written and oral materials on young adults' involvement in politics.
Comprehend literature pertaining to one's civic responsibility to be informed and aware of issues such as politics, the environment, and social issues.
Oral and Written Presentation
Communicate oral and written information pertaining to community involvement.
Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on civic responsibilities upon reaching adulthood.
Produce and present original presentations highlighting one's community responsibility and civic rights.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Compare and contrast young adults' civic responsibilities in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare and contrast community structures and civic involvement in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects such as civics, government, and social sciences.
Examine the assimilation process that a person from a Chinese-speaking country undergoes upon arrival in his or her new environment in the U.S.
Compare and contrast civic responsibilities of a young adult in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking countries.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast the U.S. government to governments in Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare policies and practices regarding voting and civic and personal responsibilities in Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare and contrast business transactions in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare and contrast linguistic conventions in English and Chinese when discussing an individual's personal and civic responsibilities.
Communication Across Communities
Investigate voting practices and civic responsibilities in Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to community involvement and civic responsibility
Expressions of preference, agreement and disagreement
Use of the conditional
Diversity, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion related to diversity.
Discuss and/or debate prejudice and discrimination.
Express and explain reactions to prejudice and discrimination.
Express opinions and react to issues concerning human rights.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Comprehend and analyze written and oral materials on diversity and discrimination.
Read and comprehend materials on prejudice in all societies.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce oral and written reports on prejudice and discrimination throughout history.
Produce an activity showing prejudice and discrimination and discuss possible solutions.
Produce an oral or written presentation reflecting current trends and/or attitudes in society related to diversity.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore traditional attitudes when reacting to diversity and discrimination in the U.S. as well as in Chinese-speaking countries.
Explore bias in reporting human rights issues.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include humanities, social sciences, history and government.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards discrimination in the criminal justice system.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources in Chinese to broaden understanding of prejudice and discrimination.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to political and social systems
Vocabulary related to geography and contemporary issues
Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Historical and Present Conflict
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Discuss past and present conflicts including causes, resolutions, and impact on the world (e.g. World War 1, WWII, war in Iraq, etc.).
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Understand current and historical texts relating to world conflict.
Understand spoken presentations about world conflict, including news broadcasts, speeches and interviews.
Oral and Written Presentation
Express differing points of view and opinions about world conflict.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Identify the sources of conflict within Chinese-speaking cultures, such as language, religion, tradition, colonialism, etc.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Relate knowledge of world conflict from social studies classes to knowledge gained in Chinese class.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare prevailing opinions in the United States regarding world conflicts with those in Chinese-speaking countries.
Communication Across Communities
Locate information about world conflict in Chinese-language resources.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to diplomacy, geography, and nationality
Vocabulary related to opinions
Crime and Justice
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion related to a crime or mystery story.
Discuss the judicial system in Chinese-speaking countries.
Express and explain reactions to crime and the judicial system.
Debate criminal cases.
Express opinions about the effectiveness of various laws.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify relevant information or legal issues when listening to newscasts.
Identify pertinent evidence when reading mystery stories.
Oral and Written Presentation
Write and present a report on the judicial system in Chinese-speaking countries.
Produce oral and/or written book report in Chinese on a mystery.
Produce and present an original mystery.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore attitudes when reacting to today's criminal justice system in the U.S. as well as in Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include social sciences, literature, biology and government.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards the criminal justice system.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources in Chinese to broaden understanding of the criminal justice system in Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to political systems
Vocabulary related to legal systems
Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Theme 2: Globalization and Communication
Current Events
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Debate issues concerning current events.
Express and exchange reactions to current events.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify pertinent information when listening to newscasts or reading selections.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce oral and written reports and articles on current events.
Develop and explain opinions and reactions to current news events.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore traditional attitudes when reacting to current events.
Explore differences in reporting current events.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include social sciences, history, government and science.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking countries towards world events.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources in Chinese to broaden understanding of current events.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to political systems
Vocabulary related to geography and contemporary issues
Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Politics
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Participate in sustained conversation and/or debate about past and present political events.
Debate merits of political candidates.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Read newspaper and magazine articles related to political events.
Comprehend news broadcasts about political matters.
Comprehend written and oral materials on elections.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce spoken or written presentations on varied political views.
Give a detailed summary and/or critique of an article or news broadcast about politics.
Produce spoken and/or written presentations on the various political parties in Chinese-speaking countries.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Examine the influence of history on the political systems of Chinese-speaking countries to include monarchies, democracies, dictatorships, etc.
Explore the influence different political systems have had on cultural aspects of Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Relate knowledge of politics gained in government or social studies classes to information learned in Chinese class.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare the political systems in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare the world view of the U.S. to world views of Chinese-speaking countries (international law, conflicts, economic issues, etc.).
Communication Across Communities
Access information on the Internet about political issues and events in Chinese-speaking countries.
Investigate the various voting policies in Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to the legal system
Vocabulary related to rights and responsibilities
Vocabulary related to government, political parties, and elections
Vocabulary related to economic issues
Expressions used in negotiations
Technology
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Discuss the evolution of technology.
Discuss the applications of technology in contemporary society.
Describe how technology has influenced our society.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Comprehend oral and written information about the use of technology throughout history.
Explore and understand the history of evolution of technology in today's society.
Oral and Written Presentation
Describe how technology has created as well as solved problems in our society.
Give a detailed summary and/or critique of an article or news broadcast about technology.
Produce spoken or written presentations supporting the use of technology in our community.
Use various technological techniques in a presentation to examine the use of technology in our community.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Discuss attitudes towards technology in education and the workplace.
Examine and discuss how technology has changed social interactions in today's society.
Compare and contrast historical achievements without the use of modern technology.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Discuss how technology is used in other disciplines, such as math, science, the humanities and vocational studies.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Increase awareness of the use of technology in Chinese-speaking countries.
Identify cognates and other vocabulary related to technology.
Communication Across Communities
Access information on the Internet about the evolution of technology.
Use technology in the production of commercials, plays, recordings, menus, etc.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to technology
The Media
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion related to the media.
Discuss the media's influence on current events.
Discuss the impact of the media's presentation of current events.
Analyze and discuss presentational techniques of the media.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify pertinent information when listening to newscasts or reading selections from print news sources or the Internet.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce an oral or written report on the positive and/or negative influence of the media.
Develop and explain opinions and reactions to the media.
Produce spoken and/or written presentations on the variety of ways in which the media can be used to slant the news.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore authentic media sources and discuss cultural attitudes when reacting to the media.
Explore differences in media reporting.
Explore how media presentations reflect cultural attitudes.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Identify and/or demonstrate a connection to various school subjects to include psychology, history, humanities, government and biology.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast reporting techniques of the American media with those of Chinese-speaking countries.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources in Chinese to broaden understanding of the media.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to the media, past and present
Vocabulary related to contemporary issues
Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Theme 3: Culture
Visual and Performing Arts
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Express and elicit opinions pertaining to theatre, music, dance, the visual arts, and films.
Express and elicit opinions concerning Chinese-speaking artists and their work.
Analyze information pertaining to the arts.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Comprehend the basic themes and historical and cultural contexts of Chinese works of art.
Explore and understand the history and evolution of various forms of Chinese artistic expression.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce and explain opinions and reactions to visual and performing arts from various time periods.
Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on people in the arts.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Discuss how a particular work of art reflects the culture of a specific Chinese-speaking country.
Explore how music, art, theatre, dance, and films are influenced by historical and political events.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various subjects to include music, art, and the humanities.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and discuss different approaches to artistic productions observed in Chinese-speaking countries and in the U.S.
Communication Across Communities
Compare popular films, stories and actors in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.
Study and compare the value placed on the arts in Chinese-speaking countries versus the U.S.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to the visual and performing arts
Historical Events
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion pertaining to major political events in Chinese-speaking countries.
Discuss the cause and effect that wars have had on Chinese-speaking countries.
Discuss and analyze the various leaders in the history of Chinese-speaking countries.
Discuss the success and failures of a variety of past regimes in Chinese-speaking countries.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify and analyze pertinent information when reading materials pertaining to world history.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on historical events in Chinese-speaking countries.
Perform an oral or written activity related to political leaders of Chinese-speaking countries.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Examine racial and class differences within Chinese-speaking societies.
Investigate ideological differences of China, past and present.
Explore current attitudes among the youth in Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects including history, government, and political science.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast social structures, economies, and political regimes of various Chinese-speaking countries.
Identify political or economic patterns in China.
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards historical events.
Explore the effects of colonialism on Chinese vocabulary.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources in Chinese to broaden understanding of the various political systems and historical events of Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to historical events and politics
Expression of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Literature
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion pertaining to literature in Chinese-speaking countries.
Discuss and critique major authors of Chinese-speaking countries and their works.
Discuss and analyze the various literary genres in literature from Chinese-speaking countries.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify and analyze pertinent information when reading literature.
Oral and Written Presentation
Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on writers from various time periods.
Recite poetry from Chinese-speaking writers.
Perform a play written by a Chinese-speaking author.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore how literature is influenced by historical and political events.
Analyze how literature reflects cultural attitudes of Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects including the humanities and social sciences.
Analyze how literature reflects cultural attitudes of Chinese-speaking countries.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards literature.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources to deepen understanding of Chinese literature from Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Literary terminology
Vocabulary related to historical events
Theme 4: Nature and Ecology
Environmental Issues and Problems
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Brainstorm different environmental issues and discuss ecological concerns.
Identify environmental issues.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Comprehend informational materials pertaining to environmental issues.
Oral and Written Presentation
Present problems and propose solutions to environmental issues.
Produce and present well-organized spoken or written presentations on environmental issues and problems.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Compare and contrast environmental issues in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Relate environmental information gained in Chinese class to information learned in other classes such as science and the humanities.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast the ecological laws of the U.S. with those of Chinese-speaking countries.
Identify cognates that relate to environmental concerns and practices of various Chinese-speaking countries.
Communication Across Communities
Investigate environmental concerns and practices of various Chinese-speaking countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Environmental and ecological vocabulary
Subjunctive mood
Expressions related to giving opinions
Wildlife Conservation
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Participate in a sustained exchange about wildlife, its impact on the environment, and issues concerning endangered species.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Understand information on wildlife conservation from a variety of sources, such as TV, news, magazines, newspapers and the Internet.
Oral and Written Presentation
Describe situations in a Chinese-speaking country where wildlife conservation is currently being debated, giving details on specific fauna or wildlife, its habitat, and its importance to the environment.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Examine the importance of protecting endangered species as part of the traditions and culture of a particular Chinese-speaking country.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Share information learned about wildlife conservation in another class (e.g. biology).
Communication Across Communities
Locate and share information from Chinese sources on endangered species.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to wildlife conservation
Expressions used in formulating hypotheses
Terms and expressions used in oral debates or persuasive essays
Theme 5: Scientific and Creative Advancements
Health Issues and Disease Prevention
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Participate in a sustained conversation about health issues such as nutrition, exercise, and maintaining good health.
Analyze information pertaining to science and medicine.
Discuss the major health in our society.
Discuss diseases of the last two decades (e.g. AIDS, Monkey Pox, SARS).
Explain causes and prevention of a variety of diseases.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Understand spoken and written information on health issues and disease prevention from a variety of sources such as short stories, TV, newspapers, magazines and the Internet.
Understand and analyze current research on a variety of diseases.
Oral and Written Presentation
Describe problems related to substance abuse, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and poor sleeping habits.
Explain causes and prevention of a variety of diseases.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore attitudes towards socialized medicine, comparing and contrasting the health care programs in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.
Examine health issues and diseases as related to the lifestyles of Chinese-speaking people.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Use knowledge of disease prevention and nutrition acquired in health classes.
Use information gained in social studies classes to discuss the political implications of disease and health issues in Chinese-speaking countries.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards health issues.
Explore the emphasis on sports and exercise in Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare and contrast eating habits in Chinese-speaking countries and in the U.S.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources to broaden understanding of scientific contributions to the field of disease prevention.
Locate and use community resources and/or the Internet to broaden understanding of health-related issues and disease prevention.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to scientific and medical technology
Expressions of conviction, doubt, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Use of the subjunctive mood and passive voice
Scientists and Mathematicians
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
Maintain a discussion pertaining to scientists and mathematicians.
Discuss inventions in science.
Discuss scientific contributions from Chinese-speaking countries.
Discuss or debate the application of scientific research in medicine.
Analyze information pertaining to science and medicine.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
Identify and analyze scientific research and inventions.
Identify diseases, illnesses, and cures in oral and written materials.
Oral and Written Presentation
Present well-organized spoken and written presentations on scientists, mathematicians, and medicine.
Research and report on advancements in medicine to include curable and incurable diseases.
Perform an activity about a scientist or mathematician from a Chinese-speaking country.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
Explore attitudes when reacting to scientific discoveries.
Explore attitudes towards socialized medicine, comparing and contrasting the health care programs in Chinese-speaking countries and the U.S.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include science, mathematicians, and social sciences.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in Chinese-speaking countries towards science and mathematics.
Explore the emphasis on mathematics and science in schools in Chinese-speaking countries.
Communication Across Communities
Locate and use authentic resources to broaden understanding of scientific and mathematical contributions.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
Vocabulary related to scientific and mathematical terminology
Expressions of conviction, doubt, opinions, and agreement or disagreement