Contextualization

The English language, considered the lingua franca of the globalized world, permeates various spheres of our lives. Understanding and fluency in English can open up a range of possibilities for communication, access to international content, and pursuing studies abroad. In this project, we will focus on a fundamental topic for acquiring vocabulary in English: animals, plants, and parts of the human body.

In language learning, vocabulary is a key piece. Knowing how to correctly name the elements that surround us in the language we are learning can be empowering and open doors to more effective communication. Furthermore, acquiring vocabulary in specific areas, such as biology, is an excellent way to prepare for academic and professional life.

The fields of biology and English may seem distant at first glance, but they are actually closely linked. By learning about animals, plants, and parts of the body in English, students will have the opportunity to relate biological concepts to language and communication, building bridges between disciplines and demonstrating how knowledge can be integrated and applied in different ways.

Introduction

With globalization and the need to communicate at an international level, having a good command of English has become essential, and specific knowledge of the vocabulary of this language is one of the main tools to achieve this competence. In this sense, mastering the terms related to animals, plants, and parts of the human body in English is extremely useful, both for educational purposes and for everyday situations.

Biology, on the other hand, is an important tool for understanding the world around us. Biological knowledge helps us understand the mechanisms and processes that govern life on our planet. Understanding the names and characteristics of different animal and plant species, as well as parts of the human body, provides a deeper insight into our connection with nature and other living beings.

In this interdisciplinary project, we will combine these two areas of knowledge to deepen our understanding of these topics and, at the same time, develop English language skills and socio-emotional skills, such as collaboration, time management, communication, problem-solving, creativity, and proactivity.

Practical Activity - Biopedia in English: Exploring Life

Project Objectives

1. Expand and deepen English vocabulary related to animals, plants, and parts of the human body.
2. Understand the importance of specialized vocabulary for effective communication in academic and everyday life.
3. Develop socio-emotional skills of collaboration, time management, communication, problem-solving, creativity, and proactivity.

Project Description

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, will create a 'Biopedia': an interactive digital compendium, in English, about animals, plants, and parts of the human body. Each group will be responsible for a section: animalia, plantae, or human body and will delve into the topics. It will also be necessary to prepare a report detailing the entire process and learning from the project.

Required Materials

• Computer with internet access
• Digital platforms for creating interactive content (examples: Prezi, Google Slides, Canva, etc)
• Text editing software (example: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc)
• Online resources for learning vocabulary and biology (examples: Duolingo, BBC Learning English, Cambridge Dictionary, Khan Academy)

Step by Step

1. Group Formation: Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will choose one of the following topics to delve into: Animalia, Plantae, or Human Body.

2. Research and Learning: Each group will conduct extensive online research and use resources (listed above and others found) to learn about the chosen topic and the corresponding vocabulary in English.

3. Creation of Biopedia: Based on the research conducted, students will create an interactive digital compendium, in English, using a content creation platform of the group's choice. The Biopedia should contain images, descriptions, and curiosities about the chosen topics.

4. Presentation of Biopedia: Each group will present their Biopedia to the class, in English, highlighting the vocabulary learned and the main topics studied.

5. Report Elaboration: After completing the research and creating the Biopedia, groups must write a report detailing the entire process. The report should follow the guidelines described above (Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography).

Project Deliverables

The deliverables of this project consist of the digital Biopedia and the detailed report. The Biopedia will be shared with the entire class, serving as an interactive and collaborative learning resource. The project report must contain all the necessary elements, as described above, fitting and complementing what was worked on during the project, and will be submitted for evaluation.

When writing the report, students should consider the importance of contextualizing the relevance of the topic studied and how it applies in the real world. In the development section, they should detail the research and learning process, the creation of the Biopedia, and the presentation to the class. The conclusions should summarize the main points of the work, reflect on the learning obtained, and the lessons learned throughout the process. The bibliography should contain all sources consulted for the project execution.