Family Tree Project

Year Level

Years 5-6 (Western Australia)

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WALT

We Are Learning To create a family tree using Italian vocabulary.

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Success Criteria

• Accurately label a family tree with at least 5 family members in Italian.
• Use correct vocabulary and practice pronunciation.
• For extension learners: Write a short descriptive paragraph about each family member using modelled sentence structures.

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Curriculum Alignment

Western Australian Curriculum – Languages – Italian – Years 5-6

• Content Descriptor: AC9LIT6C05 – Create and present a range of informative and imaginative spoken, written and multimodal texts using a variety of modelled sentence structures to sequence information and ideas, and conventions appropriate to text type.

• Elaboration: Using Italian vocabulary relevant to family, describing relationships and sequencing information in text or multimodal forms【1:AC9LIT6C05.md】.

• Cross-curriculum Priorities: Literacy (language development), ICT capability (digital multimodal creation), and Personal and Social Capability (understanding family and relationships).

• General Capabilities: Literacy (vocabulary acquisition and sentence structure), Critical and Creative Thinking (designing a family tree), and Personal and Social Capability (appreciating cultural identity through family).

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Lesson Duration

45 minutes

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Class Size

30 Students

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Resources Required

• Family tree templates (differentiated: blank, partially completed)
• Vocabulary list of Italian family members (e.g., madre, padre, nonno, sorella, fratello, zio, cugino) with pictorial support
• Graphic organisers (dyslexia-friendly)
• Colour pencils, markers
• Access to digital tools (optional)
• Sample family tree examples
• Modelled sentence structures poster or handout
• Whiteboard and markers

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Lesson Breakdown

Time (min)	Activity	Details and Teacher Strategies	Differentiation	Dyslexia-Friendly Support
0-5	Introduction & Recap	- Revisit Italian family vocabulary from previous lessons. - Use flashcards and choral repetition to reinforce pronunciation and meaning. - Present the WALT and Success Criteria on board.	Use visuals and gesture alongside words to reinforce learning.	Use clear, large font on board or handouts. Use mouth gestures to model pronunciation.
5-10	Vocabulary Matching Game	- Students match Italian family words to pictures on cards in pairs. - Discuss meaning and pronunciation as a whole class.	Pair stronger students with those needing support for peer assistance.	Use coloured cards and large images for ease of recognition.
10-15	Introducing the Family Tree	- Teacher demonstrate how to create a family tree. - Present a sample family tree labelled in Italian. - Model simple Italian phrases to describe family members, e.g. “Questa è mia madre.” “Lui è mio fratello.”	Provide sentence starters to supported learners.	Graphic organiser with clear spaces for names and relationships.
15-30	Family Tree Creation	- Students create their own family trees, labelling at least 5 family members in Italian using the vocabulary list. - Encourage use of modelled phrases. - Circulate to support students individually. - Provide templates for students requiring scaffolding.	Templates supplied: blank, semi-complete, or fully supported with examples. - Extension: write a short paragraph in Italian describing each family member (e.g., “Mio padre è alto.”).	Allow use of graphic organisers: e.g., simple family tree outlines with phrases. - Use coloured markers to differentiate sections.
30-40	Peer Sharing & Oral Practice	- In pairs or small groups, students share their family trees aloud, practising Italian vocabulary. - Teacher prompts with questions: “Chi è questo?” “Come si chiama?”	Support students with prompts or phrase cards. - Extension learners describe additional relatives using fuller sentences.	Encourage paired reading to support fluency and pronunciation.
40-45	Review & Reflect	- Whole class review of vocabulary by teacher-led quiz or interactive whiteboard activity. - Students reflect on learning by verbal feedback or quick written exit slip: “Oggi ho imparato...” (“Today I learnt...”)	Oral responses for students with writing difficulties. - Extension: provide sentence frames for reflections.	Use short, clear sentences for exit slip.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide templates at varying levels of complexity to suit diverse learning needs.
• Use peer mentoring: pairing students to foster cooperative learning.
• Graphic organisers support structure and memory.
• Allow verbal responses where written responses are a barrier.
• Highlight vocabulary in context.

Extension Activity

• Write short descriptive paragraphs about each family member in Italian, using modelled sentence structures and adjectives (e.g. “Mia sorella è giovane e gentile.”).
• Create a digital family tree with images and audio recordings of their descriptions using digital tools for multimodal presentation.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during activities and oral sharing.
• Check accuracy of labels in Italian on family trees.
• Review short paragraphs for correct use of vocabulary and sentence structure (extension).
• Reflective exit slip to gauge student understanding.

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Teacher's Notes

• Reinforce pronunciation and cultural understanding of Italian family structures.
• Celebrate diversity in family compositions and encourage respect for all.
• Encourage students to explore how language reflects cultural values (see AC9LIT6U04 for cultural aspects)【4:AC9LIT6U04.md】.
• Use visuals and modelling to support dyslexic and diverse learners.
• Promote use of both oral and written language to embed learning.

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This lesson plan provides a clear, engaging, culturally rich learning experience tailored to the Western Australian Curriculum Italian outcomes for Years 5 and 6 and accommodates diverse learning needs and profiles while allowing teachers to integrate technology and creative expression to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.