Spunti: Italiano elementare 2

Reviewed by Stella Mattioli, Lecturer, University of Virginia on 12/2/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The grammar explanations are very good and full of examples and details. I appreciated that the book used clear examples, appropriate for the elementary level. I think it is the kind of open resource book that it is easy to integrate with other activities that can be done in class; or other assignments to complete at home. It gives a good scaffolding that any teacher can use as they prefer. I also liked very much the use of different colors in order to highlight and differentiate various concepts: it is something that usually helps the students memorize better. I would have liked more attention to the vocabulary, with more pages dedicated to it. While the book gives a lot of good explanations on grammar concepts, it does not do the same with the vocabulary. The words and the vocabulary are presented in a quick way, with no context provided. However, it is the perfect manual that can be used as a scaffolding, like I mentioned before, that leaves the instructors plenty of chances to organize the lessons and the activities as they want, also with the freedom of creating a context in which it will be possible to implement the teaching of vocabulary in a different way.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I could not find any mistakes or errors.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Since the book does not have cultural references or references to current event, I would say that it has a long longevity. It could easily be used years from now without any problems.

Clarity rating: 5

The explanations are very clear and detailed with good examples that facilitate understanding. In order to make things clearer, the manual uses different schemes and tables with different colors and different fonts. This is something that for me it is important, because I saw different times how the students appreciate it.

Consistency rating: 5

The style of the book is the same for the whole manual, and the chapter follows the same pattern. The grammar concept are presented in the same way, so that it is easier for everyone to follow.

Modularity rating: 5

My impression is that the chapter are organized in a good and efficient way.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I found it easy to navigate, with a complete summary that allows you to find immediately what you need. Every chapter it is well organized.

Interface rating: 5

I could not find any problems

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The grammar is fine, no mistakes and it is presented very well.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

I did not find anything that could be considered offensive, bu the cultural offering of the manual could be expanded. But like it is for the vocabulary, it allows the instructors to create their own cultural activities.