German Animal Fun

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Lesson Overview

Unit Title: German to English Fun
Lesson Number: 6 of 15
Lesson Title: Animals in German
Year Level: Foundation (Prep)
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Subject Area: Languages – German
Curriculum Reference:
Australian Curriculum: Languages – German – Foundation to Year 2

• Communicating – Socialising: AC9LGFU01
  Engage in simple interactions in German through action-related talk and play.
• Understanding – Language: AC9LGFU03
  Recognise and experiment with reproducing sounds, words and phrases.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

WALT:

• Recognise and say the German names of common animals.
• Associate German animal words with their corresponding animal sounds and images.
• Engage in group play using German animal vocabulary.

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Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Correctly identify and pronounce at least five animal names in German.
✅ Match animal sounds and flashcards to their German names.
✅ Participate in a group game using animal vocabulary in German.
✅ Show enjoyment and curiosity when learning and using another language.

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Materials Needed

• Laminated animal flashcards (with German and English names on reverse)
• Bluetooth speaker or audio device
• Pre-loaded MP3 file or tablet app with common animal sounds
• Stuffed animal toys or animal figurines (optional for kinaesthetic learners)
• Magnetic board or whiteboard with animal picture magnets
• Reward stickers for participation and German speaking courage
• Visual storybook in German featuring animals (e.g. “Mein Tierbuch”)
• Large chart paper with 'German Animal Word Wall' for ongoing display

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Lesson Breakdown (45 minutes)

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): "Tier Raten!" (Guess the Animal)

• Begin with the lights dimmed and all eyes closed.
• Play an animal sound (e.g. “Moo” – sound of a cow).
• Ask: “Wer ist das?” (Who is that?)
• The students then guess in English for fun. Quickly follow:
  “In Deutsch, das ist... eine Kuh!” Holding up the flashcard.
• Enthusiastically introduce 3 more animal sounds and names.

🧠 Teacher Move: Use dramatic voice and body movements to hint at the animal; kids love suspense and surprise!

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2. Introduction of New Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Focus Animals:

• der Hund (dog)
• die Katze (cat)
• das Pferd (horse)
• die Kuh (cow)
• das Schaf (sheep)
• das Schwein (pig)
• die Ente (duck)

Show each animal flashcard with picture only. Have students repeat the German word after you 3 times – use fun voices:

• 1st time: Normal voice
• 2nd time: Animal voice (growling for dog, meowing for cat)
• 3rd time: Whisper voice

Flip card to show both German and English for reinforcement.

🎯 Tip: Use their Aussie humour! “What do you call a duck who speaks German? Eine Ente!”

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3. Activity – Animal Sound Match-Up (10 minutes)

Instructions:

• Place animal flashcards around the classroom on the floor.
• Play an animal sound.
• Students walk to the correct card and shout the animal name in German.

Twist: Instead of walking – have them hop, gallop or crawl like that animal.

✔ Reinforces word recognition
✔ Encourages movement and gross motor skills
✔ Supports cross-curricular learning

🏃‍♀️ Great for physical learners and breaking the wiggles!

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4. Story Time – “Mein Tierbuch” (10 minutes)

• Gather students on the floor. Read a simple picture book entirely in German.
• Pause on each animal page and ask, “Was ist das?”
• Let students try to answer in German.
• Add interactive sounds: “Wie macht das Schaf?” – “Määäh!”

📚 Include plush animals or puppets to act out scenes.

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5. Game – "Tier-Karussell" (Animal Carousel) (5 minutes)

Students form a circle. One student in the middle holds an animal card and calls out its German name.

Everyone imitates that animal and sound for 10 seconds – then swap roles.

Keep the pace fast and funny!

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6. Wrap-Up & Reflection (3-5 minutes)

Ask a few reflective questions:

• “Wer kann eine Ente machen?”
• “Was ist dein Lieblingstier auf Deutsch?” (What is your favourite animal in German?)
• “Was war lustig heute?” (What was funny today?)

Stick a few flashcards on the 'German Animal Word Wall'.
Give participation stickers to all who tried a German word.

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Differentiation Strategies

For EAL/D and Diverse Learners:

• Use more visuals and physical props (toys, gestures).
• Provide one-on-one repetition with teacher or aide.
• Buddy system with peer praise and modelling.

For Students with Additional Needs:

• Use tactile cards with textured animal images.
• Pre-teach vocabulary with guardian or aide using visual schedule.

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Extension Activities

For Advanced Learners:

• Add articles in German correctly: der Hund, die Katze, das Pferd
• Encourage simple phrases:
  • “Ich sehe eine Kuh!” (I see a cow!)
  • “Mein Lieblingstier ist ein Pferd!” (My favourite animal is a horse!)
• Challenge: Put flashcards in alphabetical order using German pronunciation.

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Teacher Notes

• Use your “German name” during the lesson for fun (e.g. Frau Brown).
• Play German music or sound effects softly in background during activities.
• Review animal words from this lesson in next session as a quick starter.

🎉 Celebrate risk-taking – it’s brave and brilliant at this age to speak another language!

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Assessment For Learning

Informal formative assessment via:

• Observing participation and pronunciation during call-and-response.
• Note on checklist which students can recall 3+ animal names.
• Encourage self-assessment: “Put your hand on your head if you can say ‘die Ente’!”

📌 Optional: Record student voices for portfolio using class tablet (with permission).

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Have fun exploring language – prep students will LOVE shouting “Määäh!” in German! 🇩🇪🐄