Italy
Integrated Unit
Grade 2
By Tamra Green
Rationale for
Theme
The reason I chose Italy
is because it fits closely
to Wiley Elementary
School’s focus on
international
interdependence. Each
grade is assigned an in
depth study of a country
and Italy is 2nd grade’s
country of focus.
Some ideas that worked
well with this theme are
the following: Leonardo
DaVinci, Strega Nona,
Pinocchio, opera, and
Italian foods.
Key components to unit
• Diversity – A lesson was developed for students to compare
their personal travel experiences or going to a new place.
Many lessons incorporate individual interpretations to share
with others in class.
• Technology – In each lesson I listed websites for enrichment. I
also incorporated technology by asking students to create a
digital storyboard. The internet is consistent resource
throughout the unit.
• Differentiation – Each lesson has a section that includes
modifications, accomodations, and tiering for higher critical
thinking.
??? Essential Questions ???
• Math – Why is it important for us to use problem solving skills to find
answers to math? How can math be taught to be meaningful to everyday
lives?
• Literacy – How can reading and writing be incorporated in all content
areas?
• Science – Is learning about sound relevant and how can it be made
relevant?
• Social Studies – How can diversity be implemented so that it can be
effective for students to learn about multiculturalism?
• Art – How can art be integrated so that it makes an impact on students
culturally while not taking away from time from other standard content?
Italy – Integrated Unit
Web
Math – Italian Style
Problem Based
(Spaghetti buffet, Pizza party)
• Can you draw or
construct a different
model?
• Is there a better solution
to this problem?
• Can you tell in your own
words how you solved
this problem?
Direct Instruction
(pasta graphing, mosaic
tiles, Coliseum games)
• Can you propose an
alternative method of
finding the cost?
• Can you think of another
type of model to use?
• What are other ways to
tell your number?
Three people, huddle and plan a 3 digit number, decide how you
want us to guess what the number is. Hint: Place values
(hundreds, tens, ones)
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
Literacy
Writing (friendly
letter, inventions)
• What are examples
of a friendly letter?
• How would you use
your invention?
Why is it valuable?
• What are the pros
and cons of you
invention?
Reading (fiction, non
fiction, retelling)
• Why is a graphic
organizer valuable?
• How would you
compare these two
characters?
• Why is telling a
story in sequence
important?
Social Studies: family
experiences
• What was the importance
of Marco Polo’s journals?
• What are some similar
feelings between your
experiences and others you
have heard?
• Why do you think people
write journals?
Science: sound, changes
• What would happen if there
was a hole in the balloon?
• Can you think of another
way we could see sound?
• What do you think would
happen if the chocolate
was heated again?
• What is another example of
a solid turning into liquid?
Italian Art and Music
Art
Mona Lisa smile/symmetry
Strega Nona Reader’s theater
Music
Tortoise and Hare opera (Rosinni’s William Tell
Overture)
Listening to opera while painting upside down
(Michelangelo)
http://www.classicsforkids.com/compo
sers/bio.asp?id=45
P.E.
Dancing to tempo – Rossini (Lone Ranger song)
My goals for this unit
• My goal for integrating Italy as a theme for this unit is for
students to think globally and consider how the country has
impacted our lives culturally and academically.
• I want students to make connections to artists, inventors,
composers, explorers, and literature that originated from
Italy or from its culture.
Reflections
What was easy? Italian art, music, Leonardo DaVinci.
What was difficult? Making sure the Italian theme was
relevant and meaningful.
What I would do differently? Spend less time researching
Italy and spend more time on looking up learning
strategies.
How will this inform future lesson planning? This
experience has taught me how to ask deeper and more
thought provoking questions, I will consider
incorporating global topics to my lessons, and I will
know how to integrate across content curriculum. I
don’t see myself working with themes.
Grazie! Ciao!
Other Italian Words
Good morning-buon giorno
Hello (phone)-pronto
Excuse me-scusi
Tomorrow-domani
Car-mac
̀ china
How are you? Come stai