COURSE TITLE:                                               German 3&4

                                                           

ROOM:                                                          B1.18                                                              

 

 

 

COURSE DESRCIPTION

            German 3 and 4 are continuations of German 2 and 3, respectively. This course will present more complex vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure.  Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.  Particular emphasis will be placed on self-expression, and the ability to communicate with greater ease.

 

 

COURSE STANDARDS

DoDEA's performance standards for foreign languages are based on the five National Goals of the American Council for Teachers of Foreign Language:

 

Performance Descriptions:                In Level III, students continue to develop oral proficiency skills. This enables them to perform routine language functions on a variety of topics. Students are able to ask and answer questions, sustain conversation and express ideas with increasing facility. Students continue to develop reading and writing skills appropriate to the level in cultural contexts. Students demonstrate increased appreciation of the culture and people of the target language.

 

FL1 Speaking,                      Speaking, listening, and understanding are fundamental processes which

Listening, and                      people use to express, explore, and learn about ideas. The student

Understanding                    speaks and understands the target language as a result of various instructional strategies focusing on oral proficiency. These include use of the target language in familiar situations to enhance vocabulary development and oral proficiency skills.

Standard:                FL1a:                The student understands and interprets spoken expression in the target language on a variety of topics with increasing facility, and comprehends short conversations and narrative passages. The student:

Components:                FL1a.1:                builds and expands vocabulary in the target language;

FL1a.2:                continues to refine an understanding of the sound system of the target language; and discriminates individual sounds and intonation of the target language;

FL1a.3:                understands basic idiomatic expressions and cognates;

FL1a.4:                responds appropriately to spoken commands; and

FL1a.5:                comprehends the main ideas in a variety of spoken presentations.

Standard:                FL1b:                The student engages in conversations; provides and obtains information, expresses feelings and emotions, and exchanges opinions in the target language. The student:

Components:                FL1b.1:                engages in basic classroom interactions;

FL1b.2:                uses basic idiomatic expressions and expressions of courtesy;

FL1b.3:                uses the target language in everyday situations; and

FL1b.4:                demonstrates increasing control of vocabulary.

 

FL2 Reading and                 Reading is a process of understanding the written target language. It

Writing                                  requires students to recognize the printed word, interpret the text, and demonstrates comprehension of the text in the target language. Writing is a process through which the writer shapes the target language to communicate effectively.

Standard:                FL2a:                The student reads material in the target language. The student:

Components:                FL2a.1:                reads and comprehends written directions;

FL2a.2:                reads a passage;

FL2a.3:                recognizes cognates and words in context; and

FL2a.4:                reads aloud using correct pronunciation, inflection, and intonation.

Standard:                FL2b:                The student comprehends and interprets the main idea of a variety of written materials in the target language. The student:

Components:                FL2b.1:                expands reading vocabulary;

FL2b.2:                reads and comprehends functional readings and/or literature from a variety of genres;

FL2b.3:                predicts meaning of key words in a selection; and

FL2b.4:                understands new vocabulary with contextual clues.

Standard:                FL2c:                The student writes words and simple expressions in the target language. The student:

Components:                FL2c.1:                writes forms of familiar spoken language using idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms;

FL2c.2:                researches and writes reports on a variety of topics; and

FL2c.3:                writes descriptions about diverse themes using variations of patterns previously learned.

Standard:                FL2d:                The student demonstrates written communication in the target language for a variety of needs. The student:

Components:                FL2d.1:                writes questions to obtain information;

FL2d.2:                writes appropriate answers to questions on familiar topics; and

FL2d.3:                creates a writing sample with point of view and purpose.

Standard:                FL2e:                The student demonstrates communicative and interpretative skills in both reading and writing in the target language. The student:

Component:                FL2e.1:                reads and comprehends material, and produces written work that reflects understanding of text.

 

FL3 Cultures                        The understanding of another culture includes the relationships among the perspectives (attitudes, values), the practices (patterns of social interactions), and the products (foods, book, games, etc,) of a society.

Standard:                FL3a:                The student demonstrates an understanding of the different aspects of the culture studied. The student:

Components:                FL3a.1:                recognizes attitudes, values and beliefs;

FL3a.2:                explores formal social, political and economic institutions;

FL3a.3:                examines celebrations, holidays, traditions, folk stories, legends;

FL3a.4:                discovers foods; and

FL3a.5:                explores fine arts, literature and entertainment.

Standard:                FL3b:                The student reinforces and expands their knowledge of other disciplines through the culture studied, and vice versa. The student:

Components:                FL3b.1:                connects information studied in other subjects to their learning of the culture studied and vice versa; and

FL3b.2:                applies the concepts acquired in the culture studied in other curricular areas.

Standard:                FL3c:                The student expands his/her views of the world through the exploration of the culture studied by making parallels between the culture studied and his/her own. The student:

Components:                FL3c.1:                discovers and compares similarities and differences between the two cultures;

FL3c.2:                develops an awareness and understanding of alternative views;

FL3c.3:                analyzes and evaluates similarities and differences between the two cultures; and

FL3c.4:                develops the ability to hypothesize about cultural systems in general.

Standard:                FL3d:                The student demonstrates cultural understandings by interacting in real-life situations, applying appropriate social protocols and language. The student:

Components:                FL3d.1:                communicates on a personal level with target language speakers;

FL3d.2:                participates in community celebrations in the target culture; and

FL3d.3:                involves him/herself in local community events and activities or simulated real-life                                 situations.

 

 

 

Continuous School Progress

 

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6 Traits + 1 is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6 Traits + 1 writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6 Traits + 1 model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 Traits + 1 become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.

 

6 + 1 in the Curriculum

            In class we will be using the 6 Traits + 1 model both to write in German and English.  Students will be writing frequently on a variety of topics, and the 6 Traits + 1 model will be used throughout the year.   These will include various journal entries, essays, poetry, and research papers on historical, literal and cultural topics

 

 


COURSE GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

 

            Grades will be based on the point system.  Points will be given for each assignment, homework, in-class work, quizzes, tests, oral participation, dialogues cultural assignments and projects.  These points are added up daily and according to the number of possible points the grade will be determined.

            Approximately 33% of the student’s grade will come from homework and in class assignments.  33% of the grade will be from the quizzes and test given.  33% will be for oral participation and dialogs.  The grades will be given in a percentage basis, which follows the school’s mandatory grading scale.

Every chapter covered will have quizzes, a final chapter test, a chapter worksheet and a final chapter dialog.   Quizzes will be unannounced, so students must make every effort to stay caught up.  The test dates are announced in advance so that the student has adequate time to prepare.

 

 

EXPECTATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES:

           

             Students are expected to come to class on time, prepared with their textbook, workbook, homework assignment, notebooks, pen/pencil, eraser and paper.  Failure to do so will result in a tardy mark.  A notebook is required for the course.  Class rules, along with coming to class prepared, are to follow directions, to speak only when called upon, to keep your hands to yourself, and to refrain from cussing or putting other students down.

Group work is essential in the foreign language classroom to practice and master conversation in the target language.  During group time, all students are required to stay on task in the target language. Students who interrupt the learning process will be asked to leave.  The time out procedures will be in effect with an administrator in the office.  A conference will be held with their teacher, counselors, and administrator to discuss the problem.

 

ORAL DIALOGS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

Students will be required to perform oral dialogues and presentations in front of class.   As the year progresses I expect longer presentations.

 

TEXTBOOK:

 

Deutsch Aktuell 3 by Wolfgang Kraft

Various readers, literature books, and grammar reference materials

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

 

A small German/ English dictionary is recommended.  All vocabularies are listed in the back of the textbook and the dictionary will only be used for fieldtrips and dialogs. It is helpful for students to keep track of all vocabulary presented in a personal vocabulary notebook available in Dutch and German stationary shops.

 

HOMEWORK POLICY:

                       

Students will have homework every class session.  This could be a written or an oral assignment such as memorizing words and phrases.  All homework assignments are supplemental to the material covered in class.  Homework will be checked and handed in and receive points for completion and neatness.  If no specific homework is assigned, students are to study vocabulary for at least twenty minutes.

 

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY

 

The study of language requires constant practice and interaction. It is therefore important that the students be present at all times.  In class oral activities will be missed and in some cases can be made up through alternate assignments.  If a student is absent, depending on the length, he/she has until the following class period to make up the assignment.  In case of a planned absence, I highly recommend that whenever possible, the assignments be completed ahead of time.

 

PARENTS / SPONSORS:

 

You can help by making sure that you son/daughter completes his/her homework.  You may want to quiz them on weekly vocabulary words.  Students, who carefully complete all homework assignments, score much higher on tests and exams and a much faster rate of language fluency. When traveling in a German speaking country, encourage your child to use the German language.  It is a great motivating force, although some Germans will want to show off their English skills in response.  The student must use the target language outside the classroom, whenever possible. Watching German TV and videos can also be a great motivating tool.

 

CONFERENCE: Any parent who wishes a conference should call the guidance office to make an appointment.