Famous Italian Athletes

Unit: Italian Sports Exploration

Lesson 3 of 4: Famous Italian Athletes and Their Impact
Year Level: 4 (Ages 9-10)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Subject: Languages (Italian)
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum v9, Languages - Italian, Years 3 and 4

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Learning Objectives

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

• Identify and describe notable Italian athletes, such as Valentino Rossi and Federica Pellegrini, using simple Italian phrases.
• Understand and discuss the impact of these athletes on Italian sports culture.
• Compare Italian sports figures with Australian athletes in terms of sport types and cultural significance, reinforcing intercultural awareness.
• Recall and use relevant vocabulary related to sports and athletes in Italian through a vocabulary quiz.
• Engage in listening and speaking activities involving video clips and discussion to develop comprehension and oral communication skills.

Australian Curriculum Links

• AC9LIT4C03: Locate and respond to key information related to familiar content obtained from spoken, written and multimodal texts (focus on spoken texts)【12:AC9LIT4C03.md】.
• AC9LIT4C05: Create and present informative and imaginative spoken texts using formulaic expressions, simple phrases and modelled textual conventions about familiar topics【3:AC9LIT4C05.md】.
• AC9LIT4U04: Identify connections between Italian language and cultural practices, supporting intercultural understanding【2:AC9LIT4U04.md】.
• AC9LIT4U03: Recognise familiar Italian language features and compare with English in known contexts (cognates, simple phrases)【4:AC9LIT4U03.md】.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources
0-5 min	Introduction & Warm-up	- Greet students in Italian (Buongiorno classe!).

• Brief recap: What sports have we learned about in Italy?
• Show title slide: "Famosi Atleti Italiani" (Famous Italian Athletes).
• Set the context by mentioning today they will learn about two famous Italian athletes and compare them to Australian sports stars. | Whiteboard, projector, slide with lesson title | | 5-15 min | Video Viewing and Comprehension | - Show selected video clips (1-2 minutes each) of Valentino Rossi (motorsport) and Federica Pellegrini (swimming).
• Clips should show highlights and include some Italian audio with subtitles.
• Before viewing, teach key vocabulary such as pilota (rider), nuotatrice (swimmer), campione (champion), gara (race), medaglia (medal).
• Play clips twice: first for gist, second for more detail.
• Ask simple comprehension questions in Italian (Quanti anni ha Valentino Rossi? Di che sport è Federica Pellegrini?).
• Encourage students to answer in Italian or English with some Italian phrases. | Video clips of Rossi and Pellegrini, vocabulary flashcards | | 15-25 min | Discussion: Impact on Sports Culture | - Whole class discussion about the importance of these athletes in Italy using guided questions:
  • Perché Valentino Rossi è famoso?
  • Cosa significa per gli italiani?
  • Qual è il tuo sport preferito in Australia?
  • Chi è un famoso atleta australiano che conosci?
• Students compare Italian athletes to Australian sports stars they know (e.g., Ashleigh Barty, Cathy Freeman).
• Teacher writes key words and phrases on whiteboard for reference.
• Use pairs or small groups for sharing ideas, encouraging students to use key Italian terms learned. | Whiteboard, prompt questions, pictures of Australian athletes | | 25-35 min | Vocabulary Quiz & Interactive Game | - Conduct a short, engaging vocabulary quiz reviewing sports terms from this and previous lessons using Kahoot or a simple paper quiz with images and Italian terms.
• Include words like: pallone (ball), sciare (to ski), correre (to run), giocatore (player), campo (field).
• Optional: Divide class into teams, reward points to encourage participation.
• Alternatively, play “Simon Says” in Italian integrating sports actions (e.g., Salta! Corri! Tira il pallone!). | Kahoot quiz or printed quiz sheets, devices or paper | | 35-43 min | Creative Presentation Task | - Students create a simple poster or digital slide to present one athlete (Italian or Australian) using Italian phrases learned.
• Include athlete’s name, sport, one or two simple descriptions (e.g., "Valentino Rossi è un pilota famoso. Ha vinto molte gare.").
• Use sentence starters provided on worksheet.
• Volunteers share their presentations briefly with the class. | Printed worksheet or digital tools, coloured pencils or computers/tablets | | 43-45 min | Plenary and Reflection | - Recap lesson highlights together in Italian: Che avete imparato oggi?
• Ask students to say one new Italian word they remember.
• Praise participation and effort.
• Remind students about the next lesson focusing on Italian sports events. | None |

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Assessment

• Formative assessment during Q&A and discussion to gauge understanding.
• Observation of vocabulary quiz results for retention of sports-related terms.
• Evaluation of poster presentations for correct use of simple Italian phrases and ability to convey information.

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Differentiation strategies

• Provide vocabulary support sheets with pictures for EAL/D learners and students who need extra language assistance.
• Allow advanced learners to include more descriptive phrases or compare the athletes in more detail.
• Use visual aids, gestures, and modelling to support comprehension.

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Resources Needed

• Projector and screen
• Selected video clips of Valentino Rossi and Federica Pellegrini (approx. 2-4 min total)
• Vocabulary flashcards or slides
• Quiz platform or printed quiz sheets
• Poster-making materials or digital devices for presentation

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Notes for Teachers

• Choose age-appropriate and engaging video clips showcasing athletes with some Italian commentary but clear visuals.
• Encourage use of Italian phrases even in short answers to build confidence.
• Foster intercultural understanding by facilitating comparisons with Australian athletes familiar to students.
• Make the vocabulary quiz fun and interactive to consolidate learning.

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This lesson plan intentionally integrates multimedia, speaking, listening, and cultural comparison activities aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9 Languages (Italian) for Years 3 and 4, focusing on communication, cultural understanding, and vocabulary building in meaningful contexts【0:AC9LIT4C02.md】【2:AC9LIT4U04.md】【3:AC9LIT4C05.md】【4:AC9LIT4U03.md】【12:AC9LIT4C03.md】.

If you would like, I can provide detailed worksheets and quiz questions to accompany this plan.