Course Expectations

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 intermediate 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 2, 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 200 is Portfolio Deutsch Level 2.   A classroom set will be provided for use at school. Online exercises will be provided on my website and our blog https://nchsdeutsch200.blogspot.com/

Course Grading

Grades will be determined by your performance in the following areas:

Homework (5%) Reading (10%) Writing (15%) Listening (10%) Speaking (15%) Presentations/Projects/Tests (45%)

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 1238 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 200 course syllabus and understand what is expected of students.