Learning Activity #2: Technology in the Foreign Language Classroom 1

Christina D. Goldsby

Helping Harry Potter with his Charm Homework

a. Topic: Helping Harry Potter with his Charm Homework (Students will look at Latin Charms
which are found in the Harry Potter readings. They will tell Harry Potter which words
the charms come from based on their understanding of Latin. They will use the definition
of those words to determine generally what the charms do.
b. Students’ Proficiency Level: Latin II
c. National and State Standards:
a. ACTFL:
a. Comparisons:
Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of
language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture
through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
b. Sunshine State Standards:
a. Comparisons:
Standard (Fl.D.2.4.1): The student uses the target language to discuss how
aspects of the target culture are reflected in his or her own culture.
d. Learning Objectives:
a. SWBAT determine the meaning of a word used in a modern context by their
knowledge of Latin vocabulary.
b. SWBAT use Latin to discuss how aspects of the target culture are reflected in his or
her own culture.

c. SWBAT apply their knowledge of Latin within both a modern and familiar context,
such as the famed Harry Potter books.
d. SWBAT use Google Presentation to present their new charms, which requires them to
actively use and produce Latin words with an understanding of their meaning and
context.
e. Activity
a. Upon arriving to class, students will be given a handout, which has the necessary
instructions to complete the assignment. The handout can be found on Google docs at
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?
id=1eU9hS_rjda_1Tdki7_C6JaoFro6ksTs1KUhyKOAE-
hQ&hl=en&authkey=CIfcmtAG.
b. The instructions are as follows: Hermione is out of town, so Harry Potter needs your
help in figuring out what his newly acquired charms do.   In order to do this completely,
look at each charm individually and break apart the word based on your Latin
vocabulary.   List the vocab word and its parts, which you can see within the charm.
After showing what Latin words are in the charms, provide a meaning or idea of what
the charm might do, based on your knowledge of the Latin words within the charm.
Upon deciphering the following charms, use your extensive knowledge of this unit’s
vocabulary to help Harry Potter come up with new charms to battle the dark forces.  The
new charms must consist of at least one Latin noun or adjective and one verb.  Prepare a
Google presentation, with which you represent each new charm with one slide.  Practice
saying your charm with a Classical Latin pronunciation, so that you can accurately
Learning Activity #2: Technology in the Foreign Language Classroom 2

teach Harry Potter (i.e. your classmates) how to properly say the charm.  Remember,
saying the charm accurately makes it more powerful.
(e.x. Densaugeo: Dens, dentis m. ‘tooth’; augeo augere auxi auctus (2nd. conj.) ‘to
increase, enlarge’)
c. The students will present their new charms the next day in class.