Extended Family Vocabulary

Year Levels

Years 5-6

Duration

45 minutes

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Curriculum Links

Western Australian Curriculum – Languages – Italian

• Content Description: AC9LIT6C05 - Create and present a range of informative and imaginative spoken, written, and multimodal texts using modelled sentence structures and conventions appropriate to text type, including culturally relevant vocabulary.
• General Capability: Intercultural understanding — recognising how language reflects cultural practices, values, and identity, and how this impacts communication.
• Skills: Participate in activities involving exchanging family-related information, using vocabulary for family members including extended family, and understanding cultural roles.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

Expand our Italian vocabulary to include extended family members (nonno, nonna, zio, zia) and understand their roles within the family.

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Success Criteria

• I can list at least 3 extended family members in Italian.
• I can explain the roles of these family members in my own words.
• I can work effectively in a group to learn new vocabulary.

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Resources

• Printed word cards with family member names in larger font (dyslexia-friendly).
• A short video introducing Italian extended family members with images and captions.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Worksheets with matching exercises.
• Poster paper and markers for group activities.

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction and Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief review of immediate family vocabulary (mamma, papà, fratello, sorella) to connect prior knowledge.
• Use a simple oral quiz or flashcards asking students to name immediate family members in Italian.
• Announce today’s focus on la famiglia estesa (extended family).

2. Vocabulary Introduction (10 minutes)

• Introduce extended family vocabulary with flashcards:
  • nonno (grandfather)
  • nonna (grandmother)
  • zio (uncle)
  • zia (aunt)
• Show a clear, colourful video/presentation where these words are used with images of family roles.
• Pronounce each word clearly and have the students repeat twice.
• Use a dyslexia-friendly font on all printed materials and visual aids (e.g., Arial or Comic Sans, larger print).

3. Group Activity: Matching & Role Explanation (15 minutes)

• Divide the class into pairs (for peer support and differentiation).
• Each pair receives a set of word cards and picture cards of extended family members.
• Task: Match the Italian word with the correct picture.
• Then, pairs write or dictate a short sentence explaining what each family member does or their role in the family (in English or simple Italian).
  Example: Il nonno legge il giornale. or La nonna cucina.
• Teacher circulates and prompts with question starters or helpful vocabulary, catering to different ability levels.

4. Sharing & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Invite pairs to share one extended family member’s role with the class.
• Discuss briefly how these family members are important in Italian culture (e.g., nonni often help care for grandchildren, family gatherings include all members).
• Highlight cross-cultural similarities and differences to encourage intercultural understanding.

5. Extension (Optional/Homework)

• Advanced students research a specific extended family role or tradition in Italian culture and prepare a 1-minute oral or poster presentation for Lesson 3.
• Encourage use of Italian vocabulary and simple sentences.

6. Plenary and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Recap key vocabulary orally with a quick “pop quiz” style game.
• Ask students to reflect:
  “Which new Italian word did you find most interesting?”
  “Can you name 3 extended family members now?”

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Differentiation Strategies

• Peer Pairing: Pair students of mixed abilities for peer support.
• Visual Supports: Use images alongside text for all vocabulary.
• Sentence Starters: Provide scaffolded sentence starters and vocabulary lists for less confident students.
• Oral Response Option: Students can explain family member roles verbally instead of writing if preferred.

Dyslexia-friendly Adaptations

• Use large, clear font (Arial or Comic Sans).
• Provide handouts with increased spacing and bullet points.
• Use colour coding for words and matching images.
• Include audio support via the video and teacher modelling pronunciation.

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Assessment

• Informal observation during group activities and class discussion to check understanding and correct pronunciation.
• Review student pairing work for accurate vocabulary matching and explanations.
• Exit question: Have students orally name an extended family member and say one fact about them in Italian/English.

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This lesson plan is designed following the Western Australian Curriculum standards for Year 5-6 Languages in Italian, ensuring students use Italian vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate for their age and learning stage, and promotes intercultural understanding of Italian family culture.