Highlands Middle School s1

HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL GERMAN 1 (Grade 8) 2013-2014 COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor: Patricia Mullins Phone: 815-2548 Grade: 8 Credit: 1

Textbook/Workbook:

Description In this course students will explore German language and culture. Though the main focus will be on the German people, students will also compare and contrast their own culture to other German-speaking countries. This course emphasizes fundamental grammar, high-frequency vocabulary and pronunciation applied actively in speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension. At the end of German 1 students should be able to perform at a novice low to novice mid proficiency level as outlined by ACTFL. German culture is an integral part of the course.

Course Standards Students will:  Learn expressions and vocabulary to enable them to maintain an everyday conversation.  Study geography of Germany and its neighboring countries.  Converse using correct pronunciation and intonation.  Write and comprehend basic sentences in German.  Read beginning level material including poetry, articles, and short stories, including authentic materials.

Goals of the Novice Learner  Understand and use familiar common expressions and basic phrases in order to maintain typical conversations.  Introduce self and others as well as ask and answer questions regarding personal information such as interests, where he lives, and things he has.  Communicate in simple and routine tasks that require a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.  Write basic compositions in German using acquired vocabulary and grammar structures.  Read beginning level material from varied and authentic sources.  Learn to appreciate German culture and appreciate the similarities and differences.

Comment Students will regularly demonstrate their competencies in the target language through the three modes of communication: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. These are the Communication Modes that are a direct tie to the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. They provide an enriched view of language that reflects real communication.

Interpersonal: This mode is characterized by the active negotiation of meaning among individuals. Participants observe and monitor one another to see how their meanings and intentions are being communicated. Adjustments and clarifications are made accordingly.

Interpretive: This mode focuses on the appropriate cultural interpretation of meanings that occur in written and spoken form where there is no recourse to the active negotiation of meaning with the writer or speaker.

Presentational: This mode refers to the creation of oral and written messages in a manner that facilitates interpretation by members of the other culture where no direct opportunity for the active negotiation of meaning between members of the two cultures exists. All lessons and assessments inside and outside of the classroom revolve around The 5 C’s

These standards describe the “what” (content) of world languages learning and form the core of standards-based instruction in the world languages classroom.

Communication: The communication standard stresses the use of language for communication in “real life” situations. It emphasizes “what students can do with language” rather than “what they know about language.” Students are asked to communicate in oral and written forms, interpret oral and written messages, demonstrate cultural understanding when they communicate and present oral and written information to various audiences for various purposes.

Cultures: The cultures standard is an integral part of learning a foreign language. Through gaining an understanding of the culture, one is able to appreciate the similarities and differences of their native country to that of another.

Comparisons: Students are encouraged to compare and contrast languages and cultures. They discover patterns, make predictions, and analyze similarities and differences across languages and cultures. Students often understand their own language in the process of doing so.

Connections: Students study content from other subject areas in the foreign language as it applies to the other country’s culture or as a topic of conversation.

Communities: Extending learning experiences from the world language classroom to the home and multilingual and multicultural community emphasizes living in a global society. Activities may include clubs, cultural activities, and guest speakers.

Course Content/ Calendar All levels of World Language courses are structured around six global themes: Families and Communities, Personal and Public Identities, Contemporary Life, Science and Technology, Global Challenges, and Beauty and Aesthetics.

FIRST SEMESTER The first semester will cover, though may not be limited to, the following themes: Introductions, School, Countries and Continents, Professions and Leisure Time.

SECOND SEMESTER The second semester will cover, though may not be limited to, the following themes: Time, Days of the Week, Languages and Means of Transportation as well as Family and Months.

Required Materials:  1- 2 pocket folder or three ring binder  1- spiral notebook or on hand notebook paper  2-Workbooks (Bookstore in HHS)  1-Composition Book (Bookstore in HHS)

Grading Grades will be calculated using a points system. Students will be evaluated the following categories, but not limited to: Semester Exams (varies) Tests (100 pts) Projects (50-100 points) Quizzes (15-40 points) Homework (typically 2-10 points each but can vary) Participation (20 points per week)

Cheating Students found to be cheating will receive a ‘0’ on the assignment. The ability to make up any assignments with a ‘0’ due to cheating will be left to the teacher’s discretion. The use of online translators or otherwise is also cheating. Plagiarism Copying any person’s work word for word is considered plagiarism. (Translators included.) This will result in a 0 on the assignment.

Participation and Attendance Being a present and active participant is crucial to the acquisition of any language. Students should be present and on time to class. Students who are absent must schedule a date to make up missed work with the teacher within the same number of days they were absent after returning to school. Students who do not see the teacher or who miss a make-up appointment will receive a ‘0’ on the assignment.