The Wine Project: An Interdisciplinary Unit
Created byGiorgia Caminati
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The Wine Project: An Interdisciplinary Unit

Grade 11EnglishScienceHistoryChemistryForeign Language6 days
In this interdisciplinary project, 11th-grade students explore Italian wine through the lenses of history, science, and culture. Students investigate wine's historical significance, its organoleptic composition, and the production process from vine to bottle, culminating in a multimedia reportage. The project integrates English, science, history, chemistry, and foreign language skills, fostering an appreciation for wine as a cultural element and developing specific linguistic competencies.
Italian WineViticultureEnologySensory AnalysisWine ProductionItalian CultureWine History
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.In che modo la storia, la scienza e la cultura convergono nella produzione del vino italiano, e come possiamo comunicare il suo valore unico a un pubblico globale?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • Qual è il ruolo del vino nella storia e nella cultura italiana?
  • Come si confronta la produzione del vino in Italia con quella in altri paesi?
  • Quali sono i principi scientifici alla base della viticoltura e dell'enologia?
  • Come si descrivono le caratteristiche organolettiche del vino in italiano e in inglese?
  • In che modo il vino può essere considerato un prodotto culturale e un simbolo di identità nazionale?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will appreciate wine as a cultural element.
  • Students will understand wine from the point of view of its organoleptic composition.
  • Students will understand wine from the point of view of its production process.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Wine Time Capsule

Students receive a "time capsule" containing artifacts related to wine production throughout history (e.g., ancient amphora shards, Prohibition-era newspaper clippings, modern wine labels). Examining these items ignites inquiry into wine's evolving role in society, science, and language.

The Mystery Wine Tasting

Students are presented with three unlabeled wines from different regions and eras. They must use their senses and historical knowledge to deduce each wine's origin and story, sparking curiosity about wine's cultural and chemical complexities.

The Global Wine Crisis Simulation

Students participate in a simulated global crisis affecting wine production (e.g., climate change, disease outbreak). They must collaborate, using their knowledge of viticulture, chemistry, and global economics, to devise solutions, highlighting the real-world challenges facing the wine industry.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Il Vino nella Storia: Un Viaggio nel Tempo

Gli studenti esplorano l'evoluzione del vino attraverso diverse epoche storiche, analizzando il suo impatto culturale, sociale ed economico.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Ricerca sulle origini del vino nelle antiche civiltà (Egitto, Grecia, Roma).
2. Analisi del ruolo del vino nel Medioevo e nel Rinascimento italiano.
3. Studio dell'impatto della fillossera sulla viticoltura europea nel XIX secolo.
4. Confronto tra le tecniche di produzione del vino nel passato e nel presente.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityUna linea del tempo interattiva che illustra le tappe fondamentali della storia del vino, con particolare attenzione al contesto italiano.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsApprezzamento del vino come elemento culturale; comprensione del suo ruolo storico.
Activity 2

L'Arte della Degustazione: Esplorazione Sensoriale

Gli studenti imparano a descrivere le caratteristiche organolettiche del vino utilizzando il lessico appropriato in italiano e in inglese.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduzione ai principi dell'analisi sensoriale del vino (vista, olfatto, gusto).
2. Esercitazioni pratiche di degustazione guidata di diversi tipi di vino italiano.
3. Creazione di un glossario bilingue (italiano/inglese) dei termini utilizzati per descrivere il vino (es. aroma, bouquet, acidità, tannini).
4. Scrittura di recensioni di vino in italiano e in inglese, focalizzandosi sulla descrizione delle sensazioni percepite.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityUn portfolio di recensioni di vino in italiano e in inglese, corredato da un glossario bilingue dei termini organolettici.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsComprensione della composizione organolettica del vino; sviluppo di competenze linguistiche specifiche.
Activity 3

Dalla Vite alla Bottiglia: Il Processo di Produzione

Gli studenti analizzano le diverse fasi del processo di produzione del vino, dalla coltivazione della vite all'imbottigliamento, integrando conoscenze di viticoltura, enologia e chimica.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Studio delle diverse varietà di uva coltivate in Italia e delle loro caratteristiche.
2. Analisi delle tecniche di coltivazione della vite (potatura, irrigazione, difesa fitosanitaria).
3. Descrizione delle fasi della vinificazione (pigiatura, fermentazione, affinamento).
4. Approfondimento degli aspetti chimici e microbiologici del processo di fermentazione.
5. Visita a un'azienda vitivinicola per osservare direttamente il processo di produzione.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityUn reportage multimediale (video, presentazione, sito web) che illustra il processo di produzione del vino, dalla vigna alla bottiglia, con interviste a esperti del settore.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsComprensione del processo di produzione del vino; integrazione di conoscenze di viticoltura, enologia e chimica.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Comprehensive Wine Unit Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Historical and Cultural Analysis

Assessment of students' ability to explore and connect the historical and cultural significance of wine through time and across civilizations.
Criterion 1

Historical Contextualization

Evaluates how well students can analyze and contextualize the historical role of wine from ancient to modern times.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive and deep understanding of the historical significance of wine, with insightful connections across different eras and cultures.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows a thorough understanding of the historical role of wine, with relevant connections across several time periods and cultures.

Developing
2 Points

Displays a basic understanding of wine's historical role with limited connections across different periods and cultures.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows a minimal understanding of wine's place in history, with little to no connections across eras and cultures.

Criterion 2

Cultural Appreciation and Communication

Assesses students' ability to appreciate and articulate the cultural dimensions of wine in a contextually relevant manner.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits a nuanced appreciation of wine's cultural impact and communicates its significance with clarity and creativity.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a clear appreciation for the cultural dimensions of wine and communicates its significance effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging appreciation for wine's cultural role and communication is somewhat effective.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays a minimal understanding of wine's cultural dimensions with limited ability to communicate its significance.

Category 2

Sensory and Linguistic Application

Evaluation of students' proficiency in analyzing the organoleptic characteristics of wine and using appropriate linguistic skills.
Criterion 1

Sensory Analysis

Measures student ability to perform sensory analysis using appropriate terminology in both Italian and English.

Exemplary
4 Points

Performs detailed sensory analysis using precise and advanced terminology fluently in both Italian and English.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough sensory analysis with accurate use of terminology in both Italian and English.

Developing
2 Points

Displays basic sensory analysis with limited correct use of terminology in both languages.

Beginning
1 Points

Performs limited sensory analysis with minimal terminology usage in either language.

Criterion 2

Bilingual Wine Review

Assesses students' ability to write comprehensive wine reviews in Italian and English, focusing on sensory vocabulary.

Exemplary
4 Points

Writes detailed, fluent wine reviews in both Italian and English, using rich sensory vocabulary innovatively.

Proficient
3 Points

Writes clear, comprehensive wine reviews in both Italian and English, using appropriate sensory vocabulary.

Developing
2 Points

Writes basic wine reviews with some correct vocabulary use in both languages.

Beginning
1 Points

Writes minimal wine reviews with limited vocabulary use in either language.

Category 3

Scientific and Production Knowledge

Assessment of students' understanding of viticulture, enology, and the wine production process.
Criterion 1

Scientific Understanding

Evaluates knowledge of the scientific principles underlying viticulture and enology.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of viticulture and enology, with innovative application of scientific principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows thorough knowledge of viticulture and enology, applying principles effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Displays basic understanding of scientific concepts in viticulture and enology.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal understanding of the scientific principles in viticulture and enology.

Criterion 2

Production Process Analysis

Assesses the ability to describe and analyze the stages of the wine-making process from vine to bottle.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides detailed analysis of the wine production process, integrating insights from viticulture, enology, and chemistry.

Proficient
3 Points

Describes the wine production stages clearly, with accurate references to viticulture, enology, and chemistry.

Developing
2 Points

Describes the production process with limited clarity and detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides minimal description of the wine production stages, lacking integration of disciplines.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Quali sono state le sfide più grandi che hai incontrato durante la creazione di questo progetto interdisciplinare sul vino, e come le hai superate?

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Question 2

In che modo questo progetto ha cambiato la tua percezione del vino come elemento culturale, scientifico e storico?

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Question 3

Quale aspetto del processo di produzione del vino ti ha sorpreso di più, e perché?

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Question 4

Come valuti la tua capacità di descrivere le caratteristiche organolettiche del vino in italiano e in inglese?

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Question 5

Se potessi continuare a lavorare su questo progetto, quale aspetto approfondiresti e perché?

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