Embedding KS2 Languages - Science Links

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Often it's easier to link certain themes when learning a language to the rest of the school curriculum than others, and Science often seems to get missed. So here are some ideas to link KS2 language learning to what the children are doing or have recently covered. Not only does it serve to 'embed' the lessons within the rest of the curriculum so that French/German/Spansih/whatever is no longer an 'add-on' or after-thought, but it provides an opportunity to reinforce key points and do some revision, supporting children who might not have quite 'got it' the first time around and offering an extension to those that did:

French

- lots of freebies to print out and some make'n'do stuff too from http://www.teteamodeler.com/dossier/sciences.asp

- see unit 18 all about space and the solar system http://year5french.wikispaces.com/Unit+18+Les+Planetes very simple level which you can make more complex/simpler as appropriate to your children, includes the book 'Mimi la fourmi de l'espace' ideas and worksheets all free

-Try the Brainpop francais site with lots of great videos http://www.brainpop.fr/

- lots of science games here http://www.jeux-pour-enfants.com/sciences.htm

- Or you might want to look at a science project in English based on a French theme:

For example Louis Pasteur as part of an investigation into bacteria and microbes, The Eiffel Tower to look at forces and/or materials, Marie Curie as an inspiration to girls or Andre Ampere and electricity/circuits...? 

Spanish

- try Ciencia.net http://ciencianet.com/ for videos and ideas pitched at a simple level

- lots of simple worksheets and ideas from this Spanish teachers site http://www.primeraescuela.com/themesp/ciencia.htm - I particularly like the animals in the jungle with lots of simple colouring and copying

- Helen and Lisibo have uploaded their own resources for 'La comida sana' and 'Los planetas' in this forum discussion for everyone to share http://primarymfl.ning.com/profiles/blogs/738935:BlogPost:23151

For projects in English in Science with a Spanish feel try Josep Comas i Solà (1868–1937), Pedro Duque (born 1963), astronaut, Arnold of Villanova (c. 1235–1311), alchemist and physician or José de Acosta (1540–1600), one of the first naturalists of the Americas.

German

- Kids and Science (German) http://www.kids-and-science.de/ some online scientific fun and games

- A huge list of sources for German resources is on http://www.tryscience.org/de/parents/se_5.html

- For projects in English in Science with a German feel try this list for inspiration from Spartacus School http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERscientists.htm and then maybe explore some 'rocket science' linking to http://www.scientistsandfriends.com/ and of course how can you investigate forces without mentioning Albert Einstein?!

 

(This post was inspired by a question asked by Laura on the forum that I missed at the time - sorry!)

[Jan Lewandowski]

Ha, great minds think alike!

We were awarded the European Languages Label for our `On the Snail Trail' LinkedUp project- all about the evolution of a particular type of snail. This is a CLIL project in French, German, Italian and Spanish. We also won the Spanish prize and the Eurotalk primary languages prize.

There is a link on the CILT site but it has not been nearly as well publicised in this country as it would have been in other European countries; not least because CILT no longer has the manpower.

I did however present on the project at the ASE Conference in Liverpool (Association for Science Education) to an international audience last month- must be a first for a linguist! I must post something on my blog page!

You can find the resources here:

www.linksintolanguages.ac.uk/resources/2528

www.evolutionmegalab.org

www.primaryupd8.org.uk

Further information:
[e-mail]
Consultant for Languages and International Learning

[Jan Lewandowski]

http://www.colegioweb.com.br/ciencias-infantil is Portugese; from Brazil I think.

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Oops yes wrong link - will check back with the right one it's on delicious somewhere! Thanks for these links to the fantastic projects Jan. Another one I realise I forgot to mention is Linda Owens spiral scheme of work based on mini beasts on this network - again will pop back with the link ASAP.