Willkommen! Please read the following information
about the course, then sign and return the form on the last page of this
document. I look forward to a fun and productive year exploring German language
and culture with you and am truly happy that you have chosen German.
Course Goals & Content
In this course, we will learn basic
communication skills through reading, writing, speaking, and listening
activities in German. The culture, literature, and history of German speaking
countries will also be our vehicles delivering authentic opportunities to flex
our language skills. We will study the customs, habits, interests, and
activities of German speaking countries. Our text book, Portfolio Deutsch 1, will guide use through a thematic introduction
to the German language. We will also interact online through educational
sources and social media.
The class uses a
combination of whole class and small group instruction, art, music, stories,
cooking, games, and drama to provide fun and engaging learning opportunities.
Class will be conducted primarily in German, and a strong emphasis is placed on
oral language. The language is taught in context and through active use in the
classroom.
Course Texts
& Materials
The textbook for German 100 is Portfolio Deutsch Level 1. A
classroom set will be provided for use at school. Online exercises will be
provided on my website and our blog https://nchsdeutsch100.blogspot.com/
or https://whsdeutsch100.blogspot.com/
Course Grading
Grades will be determined by your performance in the
following areas:
Homework (5%) Reading (10%) Writing
(10%) Listening (10%) Speaking (15%) Presentations/Projects/Tests
(50%)
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
A
|
= 93-100
|
B-
|
= 80-82
|
D+
|
= 67-69
|
A-
|
= 90-92
|
C+
|
= 77-79
|
D
|
= 60-66
|
B+
|
= 87-89
|
C
|
= 73-76
|
F
|
= 0-59
|
B
|
= 83-86
|
C-
|
= 70-72
|
|
|
Participation
The only way to learn a language is
to use the language.
Participation in this course consists of preparation,
attendance, and active involvement in class. In order to be able to
participate, it is essential that you arrive on time and prepared for class,
having completed all homework assignments and with books and materials in hand.
If you have not completed the homework and/or do not have your books and
handouts with you, you will be lost in class and your participation grade will
suffer. During class, activities
will be designed for active learning and practice. You will work with
other students in class on such tasks as interviewing, reporting, describing,
narrating, and so forth. To use the class time effectively, you must actively
participate in activities. You are encouraged and expected to
communicate in German, to positively contribute to activities, work
collaboratively with others, and take notes when necessary. Do not engage in side conversations! If
you engage in side conversations, especially in English, your participation
grade will be affected.
Homework
Students can expect an average of approximately 20 minutes
of homework several nights a week. Homework assignments may include vocabulary
study, online learning activities and games, social interactions in an online
setting, grammar exercises, and brief written compositions.
Quizzes
Formative
assessments are great ways for students and the teacher to find out what the
learner knows in real time. Quizzes will be given on a regular basis in order
to enhance feedback on learning. It is not uncommon to have a quiz every day. Quizzes
will happen unannounced so it is important to be present in class and ask lots
of questions if you don’t understand something.
Presentations
& Projects
Throughout the year you
will have opportunities to enhance and demonstrate your skills in German by
completing projects and presentations, both individually and in teams. Projects
and presentations will be based on classroom material but may require you to
conduct some outside research using additional resources from the school library,
the Internet, and/or the greater community.
Tests
Chapter tests will be administered at
the completion of each chapter of the textbook. These will be announced in
advance and listed on the course website along with the homework assignments.
For Your Information:
Feedback
There will be weekly opportunities to give me
feedback on what you have learned and what is working or not working for you. I
look forward to personalizing your learning experience.
Absences
I follow the school policy on attendance, which you
read and signed off on in your student handbook. If you are absent, you are
responsible for finding out what you missed and rescheduling any missed quizzes
or tests. The easiest way to do this is to check the classroom blog. You can
find this link on my school website.
Late Work
All assignments are due at the beginning of class
on the due date. Late work will not receive credit unless you were excused
from school for the entire day on the
date the assignment was due
Conferences
I am always happy to meet with you. You may make an
appointment to see me before school at WHS and after school at NCHS. My room
number is 227 at WHS and 2138 at NCHS. My e-mail address is krombauer@nsd.org.
Please post your name below in the comments section to verify that you and your parents / guardians have read the German 100 course syllabus and understand what is expected of students.
