For our project, we chose to create an interactive map of Italy, which student can intuitively use to explore the characteristics of each of the 20 regions and enrich their knowledge about culture in Italy.
Each region has demographic information, interesting facts, traditional dishes, a regional proverb and a link to the official tourism website of the region. The objective of this resource is to encourage students to explore the characteristics of each region further and motivate them to keep learning Italian.
These are some activities we think can be developed in the classroom using the map as a resource:
- Choose 3 map regions and write 3 sentences explaining why you would like to go.
- Draw a random region and write an itinerary with 3 interesting places to visit.
- Play a scavenger hunt with traditional dishes.
- Guess the region given a limited number of clues.
- Teach la rosa dei venti (Nord, Sud, Est, Ovest).
- Write down words not taught yet and use the dictionary to find the meaning.
- Create a crossword puzzle and use the map to guide the hints.
- Do further research on a region they like and present in front of the class.
- Discuss in small groups the meaning of the regional proverbs.
- Assign students a region, make them check the weather for the region and share with the class to compare the temperature in different regions.
- And more!
We hope this interactive map is a useful tool for an Italian classroom. Activities can be adapted to best fit the level of the class and adapt to the dynamics and needs of the students.
Instructions:
- Click on the box “Clicca qui” and start the Prezi presentation
- Click on the desired region.
- Explore the subtopics with facts, and use the arrows on the bottom to go back and forth.
- Click on “Sito Web Turistico” to visit the official website for tourism in the region. The websites are all in Italian and are great authentic material.
- Use the home logo to go back to the main map and keep exploring!
