Delicious German Words

Unit: German to English Fun – Lesson 8 of 20

Year Level: Year 1
Subject: Languages – German
Time Allocation: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Languages – German (F–10 Sequence)
Curriculum Level: Year 1

Strand: Communicating
Sub-strand: Interacting
Content Descriptor:
– Participate in guided group activities and simple transactions, using repetitive language and phrases.
– Recognise and use simple vocabulary, formulaic expressions and phrases with support.

General Capabilities:
– Intercultural Understanding
– Literacy
– Critical and Creative Thinking

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WALT

We Are Learning To:

• Recognise and say German food words
• Create a simple food-themed menu in German
• Practise simple conversation skills to order food

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Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Name at least five foods in German
✅ Create a visual menu using German vocabulary
✅ Role-play ordering food using basic German phrases with a partner

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Key Vocabulary

English	German
Apple	der Apfel
Bread	das Brot
Cheese	der Käse
Sausage	die Wurst
Milk	die Milch
Water	das Wasser
Cake	der Kuchen
Ice Cream	das Eis

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Materials Needed

• Flashcards with images and German words
• A3 paper for each student
• Markers, crayons, glue
• Printed German menus for reference (simple layout)
• Pretend play food items (plastic or paper cut-outs)
• Teacher's whiteboard and magnetic letters
• Laminated sentence starters in German

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Differentiation Strategies

🟡 Support for Diverse Learners:

• Pair EAL/D and lower literacy students with stronger peers
• Provide visual supports (word & picture flashcards) for reinforcement
• Offer pre-traced menu templates for fine motor support
• Use call-and-response and echo games to increase confidence in speaking

🔵 Extension for Advanced Learners:

• Add additional food items using classroom resources or dictionaries
• Encourage the use of adjectives (e.g., lecker = tasty)
• Write and perform a short food commercial in German using props

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Lesson Sequence (45 Minutes Total)

⏱ 0–10 mins – Warm-Up Game: “Was ist das?”

• Teacher shows food flashcards and says “Was ist das?” (“What is this?”)
• Students respond chorally or individually with the German word
• Use gestures and mime to reinforce meaning
• “Pass the Pretzel” game – pass a soft toy around while music plays (German instrumental music); when music stops, that child says a German food word shown on a card

⏱ 10–20 mins – Explicit Teaching: Introduce Menu Vocabulary

• Use large pictorial menu on whiteboard
• Introduce phrases:
  • Ich möchte… (I would like…)
  • Bitte (Please), Danke (Thank you)
• Practise food ordering as a class:
  • Teacher: “Ich möchte einen Apfel, bitte.”
  • Students echo with different foods
• Practice pronunciation together, clapping out syllables for fun

⏱ 20–35 mins – Activity: Create Your Own Menu

• Each student designs a colourful German menu on A3 paper using:
  • Cut-out pictures or drawings
  • German food names
  • Inventive restaurant name in German (e.g., “Kleiner Koch” = Little Chef)
• Teacher circulates for support and pronunciation guidance
• Students glue, draw, and label proudly — building their “restaurant” menu

🧠 Advanced students can add prices in Euros (€) and write “Special of the Day” in German

⏱ 35–45 mins – Speaking Practice: Role-Play “Im Restaurant”

• Students in pairs: one is the customer, one is the waiter/waitress
• Use menus and sentence starters to order food aloud
• Switch roles after 2 minutes
• Perform one or two dialogues at the front using props (fun hats or aprons are encouraged!)
• Celebrate students who use manners in German

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Assessment & Reflection

Formative Assessment:

• Observation during menu-making and role-play
• Checklist of vocabulary usage and sentence attempts
• Encourage students to self-assess: "Did I use 3 new German words today?"

Exit Slip Prompt:

• On a post-it, students write or draw their favourite German food word learned today

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Teacher Notes

• Maintain vibrant pacing – lots of movement and fun to build vocabulary retention
• Focus on positive reinforcement when students attempt pronunciation
• Incorporate German cultural references lightly if students are curious (e.g., “Did you know Germans love sausages called Bratwurst?”)

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Follow-Up Activities

• Homework Extension: Create a menu at home using favourite food items, then translate (with help!) into German
• Future Lesson Prep (Lesson 9): Introduce mealtime routines and greetings – e.g., “Guten Appetit!” and breakfast/lunch foods

Let's keep the fun going and their little linguistic minds growing! 🇩🇪🎨🍎