Let's Learn Together

Overview

Year Level: Foundation (Preparatory)
Subject: Languages – German
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 20 students

Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Languages – German (Years F–2)
Strand: Communicating
Sub-strand: Socialising

Content Description (ACARA):

• ACLGEC001: Interact with teacher and peers through action-related talk and play, and support understanding using facial expression, gestures and visual cues.
• ACLGEU002: Recognise that German has sounds, written letters and words that may be similar to or different from English.

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Lesson Focus

Topic: Greetings in German (Hallo, Guten Morgen, Tschüss, Wie geht’s?)
Big Idea: Students will explore simple German greetings through song, storytelling, movement, and interactive group play — reinforcing that language is fun, expressive and connected to daily routines.
English Connection: Students will compare the German greeting phrases learned with equivalent English greetings, identifying similarities and differences.

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Learning Intentions

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand and use four simple German greeting phrases.
• Begin to associate gestures and body language with foreign words.
• Identify how words sound different in German compared to English.
• Express greetings through creative play and song.

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Success Criteria

Students will:

• Say at least two German greetings correctly.
• Use matching gestures or actions for greetings independently or with peers.
• Participate enthusiastically in song, group activities and structured play.
• Recognise that different languages may sound or look different.

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Materials Needed

• Puppet or plush toy (e.g., Fritz the Frog – a German-speaking puppet)
• Visual cue cards with German phrases and matching illustrations
• Mini name tags/cards with student photos
• Classroom speaker and device for playing music
• Large emotions chart (smiley, sad, sleepy, excited)
• ‘Hallo, Hallo’ German greeting song (preloaded music)
• Coloured mats or name spots for sitting in a circle
• Whiteboard and whiteboard markers
• Magic finger puppets (optional)

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Lesson Sequence

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 mins)

Activity Name: Language Detective!

• Greet the class with a smile: “Guten Morgen, Freunde!”
• Ask the students: “Do you know what language I just spoke?”
• Engage answers and introduce today’s challenge: We’re going to become Language Detectives — and today we’re learning some German!
• Quick movement activity: If you’ve ever said “hello” to someone, touch your nose! If you’ve ever waved “goodbye,” spin around once.

🧠 Brain Bit: “Learning a new language helps us understand how others live and talk — just like superheroes with adventure codes!”

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2. Introduction to German Greetings (10 mins)

Teacher-Led Interactive Presentation with Puppet (Fritz the Frog)

• Introduce four key phrases on bright cards with images:
  • Hallo (Hello)
  • Guten Morgen (Good morning)
  • Tschüss (Bye)
  • Wie geht’s? (How are you?)

👋 Use motions to go with each word:

• Hallo – big wave
• Guten Morgen – stretch and yawn motion
• Tschüss – small hand wave behind back
• Wie geht’s? – hands on heart, then open arms (friendly gesture)

🔤 Compare pronunciation with English: “Listen to ‘Hallo’ – does that sound like ‘hello’?”
Let the puppet say a phrase, and students repeat it dramatically. Engage in call-and-response rhythms.

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3. Sing and Move (8 mins)

Activity Name: Hallo, Hallo Song

• Play the German greeting song and teach actions for each word.
• Allow students to stand/dance/move while singing along.
• Run the song twice:
  • First time: listen and join in
  • Second time: sing and move louder or softer depending on word

🌈 Differentiation Tip: Have picture cards ready for students who prefer visual prompts or support synchronising actions.

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4. Learning Through Story (7 mins)

Activity Name: Fritz’s First Day

• Tell or act out a simple short story: Fritz (puppet) goes on his first day to “Kita” (kindergarten) in Germany.
• Storylines include encountering various characters:
  • Fritz says “Guten Morgen” to his friend,
  • waves “Hallo” to the teacher,
  • says “Wie geht’s?” to someone sad,
  • says “Tschüss” at home time.

📖 Let students join in and say the phrases out loud with the puppet when prompted. Emphasise group repetition and visual storytelling.

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5. Hands-On Exploration (10 mins)

Activity Name: Greeting Circles

• Make a big circle and give pairs of students photo name cards.
• Students role-play greeting each other using the chosen German words.
• Encourage confident students to try combinations:
  • “Hallo, Wie geht’s?”
  • Partner replies with an emotion expression or word.

🌀 Rotate several times, encouraging friendly interaction.
🧏 For shy students, encourage puppet/teacher interaction first for modelling.

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6. Review & Reflect (5 mins)

Reflection Prompt:

• “Who can tell me their new favourite word in German?”
• Using an emotions chart, ask: “When you say ‘Wie geht’s?’, what kind of answer can we give?” Let students point or gesture.

🎨 Optional creative extension: students draw themselves saying “Hallo” or “Tschüss” with a speech bubble. (This can be picked up in the next session.)

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative observation during greeting circle to assess correct pronunciation and use of gestures.
• Anecdotal notes about student participation, engagement, and pronunciation ability.
• Informal feedback during the storytelling and song participation.

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Differentiation

• Visual cues: Pictograms & gesture-based storytelling help EAL/D and diverse learners.
• Movement-based tasks: Support kinesthetic learners and reduce pressure on verbal repetition.
• Puppet support: Ideal for shy or non-verbal learners to interact safely.
• Extension: Have confident students perform mini skits using three combined phrases.

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Teacher Reflection & Notes

Post-lesson prompts for teacher reflection:

• Which students were most engaged during movement?
• How did students respond to the cross-language comparisons?
• Did any students show strong imitation or comprehension skills?

Next step ideas:

• Introduce colours in German using songs and art.
• Set up a daily “language helper” greeting buddy.
• Build a simple “German Corner” with rotation tasks each week.

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Closing Thought 💭

Language at Foundation level should be curiosity-powered and playful. By taking German out of a textbook and into their world of motion, emotion and story, we’re not just teaching vocabulary – we’re building intercultural wonder.

Let’s make every “Hallo” a doorway into the world.