Asking in German

Lesson 9 of 20: German Language Adventures

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

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🏫 Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum – Languages (German): F–10 Sequence
Year Level: Foundation – Year 2 Band

Strand: Communicating
Sub-strand: Socialising

Content Description (ACLGEN001)
Interact with teacher and peers through action-related talk and play, and structured classroom routines, for example: using simple phrases and formulaic expressions related to familiar routines such as greeting, asking and answering questions, thanking, apologising, and taking turns.

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🎯 WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Ask the question Was ist das? (What is this?) in German
• Respond using Das ist ein(e)... (That is a...) with classroom object vocabulary
• Recognise and name common classroom items in German through speaking and listening activities

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✅ Success Criteria:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Say the question Was ist das? with correct pronunciation and intonation
• Identify and name at least 4 classroom objects in German
• Respond to Was ist das? using Das ist ein/eine... with some support
• Participate confidently in a group-based activity using target German phrases

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🪄 Hook (5 mins)

Activity: Magic Object Reveal!

• The teacher brings out a small covered box (mystery box).
• Plays a short fun German jingle as the box is revealed.
• Inside is a familiar classroom object (e.g., a pencil).
• Teacher dramatically reveals it and says: Was ist das?
• Students repeat the phrase in chorus. The teacher models the answer: Das ist ein Bleistift.
• This sets the tone for an engaging exploration.

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🧠 I Do (10 mins) – Explicit Teaching

• Use flashcards or realia (physical classroom objects) to introduce 6–8 common classroom items:
  der Bleistift, die Schere, das Buch, der Radiergummi, die Tafel, die Tasche, das Lineal, der Stuhl

• Introduce gender briefly with the articles: ein (masculine/neuter), eine (feminine) – simplify by linking colours or shapes (e.g., ein = blue card, eine = pink card)

• Use call-and-response: Teacher says Was ist das? and models response with object: Das ist ein Buch.
  Class repeats as a whole group and then individually.

• Use visuals and gestures to support comprehension.

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🤝 We Do (10 mins) – Guided Practice

Activity: Partner Talk with Object Cards

• Hand out object cards (pictures or real items) to each pair of students.
• Partner A points and asks: Was ist das?
• Partner B responds: Das ist ein(e)... with support from prompt cards that include the name and picture.

🌟 Tip: Use whispers and switches – after practising, students rotate cards and roles.

Teacher roves, offering sentence support and correcting pronunciation with positivity.

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🎲 You Do (10 mins) – Independent or Small Group Activity

Activity: German Language Scavenger Hunt

• Around the classroom, there are 5 hidden cards with German object names and pictures.

• In small groups of 4–5, students search for a card.

• On finding each card, they practise:

  • One student asks: Was ist das?
  • Another responds: Das ist ein(e)...

• Each student gets a turn asking and answering.

• Teacher uses a checklist for formative assessment and provides feedback as students circulate.

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🌟 Extension Activities

For Advanced Learners:

• Introduce adjectives: Das ist ein roter Bleistift. (That is a red pencil)
• Challenge them to create silly combinations with objects: Das ist ein fliegender Stuhl (a flying chair)
• Provide sentence-building cards with articles, adjectives, and nouns to mix and match.

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🤲 Differentiation Strategies

• Visual Learners: Flashcards, anchor charts with German words and pictures
• Auditory Learners: Songs and chants using the new vocabulary
• Kinesthetic Learners: Scavenger hunt movement, realia interaction
• Students with Learning Difficulties: Use sentence starters, pairing with supportive buddies
• EAL/D Students: Provide terms in home language alongside German for familiarity

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🧘‍♀️ Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 mins)

Activity: German Echo Game

• Students stand in a circle.
• Teacher holds up an object and says: Was ist das?
• Tosses a soft ball to a random student.
• That student responds: Das ist ein(e)... and tosses back.
• Continue with excitement to engage multiple students.

Reflect Together:

• “Hands on your heart if you can say Was ist das? now.”
• “Stand up tall if you know at least 3 object names in German!”
• Quick class applause and positive reinforcement.

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📘 Resources & Materials

• Flashcards with images and German labels
• Real/classroom objects (scissors, ruler, book, bag, etc.)
• Object cards for pairs
• Mystery box
• Soft toss ball for review game
• German anchor chart with Was ist das? and Das ist ein/eine... examples
• Visual sentence builders for extension

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📊 Assessment – Formative

• Teacher observations during partner talk and scavenger hunt
• Informal checklist:
  • Can ask Was ist das?
  • Can respond using correct article and vocabulary
  • Participates in group and class activities

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🌿 Teacher Reflection Prompt

• Which students were confidently using full sentences?
• Who required sentence starters or visuals throughout?
• How can I support pronunciation of tricky words like Radiergummi and Lineal next time?

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💡 Consider adding a display wall titled "Was ist das?" with real photos of student interactions and posted vocabulary to reinforce learning over time.

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Next Lesson (Lesson 10): Colours and Classroom Objects – Describing with Adjectives
Students will learn to expand their language by using colours with classroom nouns to describe what they see.

🪄 Danke!