Der Waschbär in Deutschland

In this communicative lesson, students are introduced to the raccoon as an invasive species in Germany. It focuses on speaking and listening, but includes reading exercises and some simple writing exercises.

Most US students are very familiar with the raccoon, its natural habitat and its intelligent, adaptable nature. This lesson draws on this background knowledge to help develop vocabulary and practice listening and reading skills.

Students first review what they know about raccoons and their habitat to learn the vocabulary they need. They then take a virtual tour of Kassel, Germany, the "raccoon capital" of Europe and take a close look at what they see to discuss this German city as an environment for raccoons.

Finally, students receive a webquest that will guide them through looking at a German town similar in size to their own and analyzing it as habitat for the raccoon.

Included in the Google Drive:
A slide show on raccoons in the US and Germany

A lesson guide

An interactive vocabulary sheet

Drei Gewinnt, a vocabulary game to play together with the city tour

A webquest to explore German towns as habitat for raccoons

A mini-book fromWildes Deutschland on raccoons.

The slides and all of the handouts will likely take two full class periods (hours).