CLASSEN SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDIES
	Course Outline
Nancy Boudreau, German Teacher		Erin Roberts, German Adjunct
circus1951@hotmail.com		FrauRoberts@yahoo.com

Course Titles (textbooks): Introduction to German (EXPLORING GERMAN), German I (KOMM MIT 1), German II (KOMM MIT 2), German III (KOMM MIT 3), German IV (AUF DEUTSCH 1 & assorted readers), German V (AUF DEUTSCH 2 & assorted readers), German VI (AUF DEUTSCH 3 & assorted readers)

Course Objectives: Introduction to German stresses spoken language. Vocabulary items such as colors, numbers, body parts are explored. Short learned phrases, questions and commands will be understood. Culture items relating to music, art, festivals, science and history will be presented. German I introduces the sequential study of the language and culture. Listening and speaking skills for situational use are stressed. Reading and writing skills are developed. Vocabulary and idioms are presented in context. German II develops the abilities of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students progress logically from spoken to written language, comprehend grammatical structures in context, develop reading skills and become familiar with cultural mores. German III students progress from grammatical study to actual utilization of the language. Students read short stories to generate discussion, increase vocabulary, add to comprehension ability, and increase knowledge of culture. Writing skills are developed. Emphasis is placed on individualized or small group work. German IV concentrates of building the skills of speaking, reading, writing and understanding German. Students read and discuss a variety of texts. These students also participate in Kinder Deutsch, whereby the students teach German for five weeks to elementary students. German V begins the two-year cycle of preparation for the IB SL exam in German. Since the major grammar components have already been covered, the emphasis is on vocabulary expansion, improving reading, writing, and speaking skills. German VI culminates with students taking the IB exam. Skills in essay writing, reading of current materials and development of conversational skills are polished. Students in V and VI must keep a portfolio of their work.

Homework Policy: Homework assignments are given for each class met. Homework may consist of written work, oral preparation or studying for a quiz. German III/IV/V/VI may also have projects. For late work, a late penalty of one point per school day is subtracted from points earned.

Quizzes and Tests: Oral or written quizzes will be given frequently to evaluate student comprehension. Tests will be given at the end of a unit of study. Students will be allow to retake a test or quiz after school when the grade is a C or below. There will be a penalty of one letter grade reduction assessed for retakes. All retakes must be within five school days of when the original test is returned.

Grading practices: Work is graded on a “POINTS POSSIBLE” system. Homework and orals are usually assigned a value of 10 points, quizzes are 20-40 points, tests are 50-100 points. The semester exam is one-quarter of the grade. Other projects, such as verb notebooks, are pointed as assigned. Students earn points on their work. The total points they earn is divided by possible to achieve a percentage. According to Board policy 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C,

69-60=D, below 59=F

Students have the right to do two extra credit projects per nine weeks for a maximum of 15 points each. Suggested activities are posted in the classroom. Projects should be approved by the teacher.

Tutoring is available before or after school or by appointment.

When absent, students get five school days to make up work missed (with no late penalty).

Students are encouraged to join DEUTSCHER VEREIN (GERMAN CLUB). Most activities are after school and/or on weekends. Possible activities include: Oktoberfest, folk dancing, eating at a German restaurant. Dues are $2.00 for the year.

My students also participate in GAPP (GERMAN-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM), a bi-annual exchange with a sister school in Germany. This is a four-week direct exchange between families coordinated through the two schools. All students may join GAPP CLUB and participate in the activities, even if they do not go on the exchange. Dues are $2.00 for the year.