“Wer keine Frendsprache spricht, kennt seine Muttersprache nicht.”

Whoever doesn’t know a foreign language, doesn’t know their mother tongue

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Teacher:  Ed Curtis                              

E Mail:  ecurtis@fgsd.k12.or.us

Telephone:  503-359-2432  Ext 408

Web:  http://www.herrcurtis.com

Course Overview:  Herr Curtis möchte Sie Willkommen heißen.  In German 2 students will continue learning the German language contextual situations.  Emphasis is on oral proficiency with the components of listening, reading, writing and culture also taught.  Successful completion of German 2 will enable students to enter German 3 the following year and will place a majority of the students in the Novice High level of oral proficiency (ACTFL).  I know that you can succeed in German, even if you don’t consider yourself especially “talented”. German class is fun and we do many interesting things, however remember it is also a college prep course.  This means there will be regular homework which will enable you to acquire new skills.  You must practice it regularly!  My grading policy allows for errors, but puts a premium on your ability to catch your own mistakes and correct them.  If you become good at new study skills presented in this class, you will not only become more proficient in German, but they will help you in other subjects as well.

This year we will be finishing Kapitel 7 und 8 from Komm Mit 1, working from the text Komm Mit 2 and focusing on a variety of topics using the text Tolles Theater.

Komm Mit  is a program based on the “five C’s” of the national standards; communication, culture, connections, comparisons and communities. 

Communication is achieved right from the beginning as students are taken from structured practice to open-ended communication.  Image-based vocabulario presentations introduce a thematic context which gives meaning and motivation for learning the language.  Grammar explanations are backed by a variety of additional help.

Culture presentations in each chapter are based on readings and activities in which students learn about the products, practices and perspectives of the Hispanic culture.

Connections, or links to other subject areas, such as social studies or math, are included in each chapter.

Comparisons allow students to acquire a much broader and deeper understanding of language and culture.  They will have multiple opportunities to compare the Spanish language and culture to their own.

Communities, the fifth “C”, deals with the goal of learning to function in an increasingly diverse community and an increasingly demanding world market.

Materials:

• Pen, paper, textbook (scissors and glue stick would be helpful)
• 3 ring binder to use as a working notebook

Additional Resources:

• eSIS for calendar of assignments and events and on-line grades
• Web Resources for Extra Credit including games and other fun activities available  at http://herrcurtis.com           
• Certain pieces of your work will be placed in a portfolio, which I will hold onto.  This will help you when you enter college as they may ask for samples of your work.  Since we will continue to add work for as many years as you are in language class, it’s also an excellent way for you to see your progress.

Expected Attitudes and Behaviors:

• Attend class – if you are absent there is no way you can make up the minutes of oral practice that occurs in the classroom.  There is no substitute for participation.
• Be on time – don’t be tardy and don’t interrupt the learning process.   I will follow the school tardy policy, and you don’t want to serve detention.
• Be ready for class – bring pen, paper, a 3 ring binder to class every day. 
• No junk food allowed in class. This means no soda, candy, crackers, etc.  If you need to eat at a time you have class, you may bring a sandwich to hold you over until lunch.  I will ask that it be consumed within the first five minutes of class.
• You may bring water but only in a container that is reusable and has a lid.. 
• Turn all electronic devices off (cell phones, pagers, PDAs, calculators, etc.), and keep them in a bag or pocket at all times.  We need to be focused on the learning process, and these devices disturb not only you from learning, but others as well.  Because I am legally blind, you may hope I won’t notice.  Please DO NOT be tempted to take advantage of my disability.  Be warned that I will view even the first violation as a personal affront and will send any violator to the office and phone parents the same day.  This is your only warning.  If your parents have a special circumstance, please have them contact me.
• Be respektvoll  of others and their property.  Please do not interrupt the teacher or another student.  Please keep your hands and personal objects to yourself.
• Always do your best and expect everyone else to do the same.
• Be stützend  supportive) and hilfreich (helpful).  Stay on task – please do not interrupt the teacher or another student.  Please keep your hands and personal objects to yourself.  Encourage your classmates to see what they can come away with in this class, and not what they can get away with.
• Be culturally appropriate

• All work is to be done in ink.  Because of my vision, I have difficulty reading pencil.  If your turn in work in pencil, I may well give it back to you to redo.  If your submitted work is not neatly done, it will be returned for you to redo it.

Semester 1:  Kapitel 7 and 8 from Komm Mit 1 and Kapite 3 from Komm Mit 2 (The first 3 chapters of the German 2 book review German 1).

Kapitel 7:  (from German 1 Book) The student …

·                     Learn to extend and respond to an invitation

·                     Learn to express obligation

·                     Learn to conjugat and use the modal verb müssen

·                     Learn to talk about chores around house

·                     Learn to ask for and offer help

·                     Learn to tell someone what to do (form the imperative)

·                     Learn to talk about the weather

Kapitel 8:  (From German 1 Book) The student …

·                     Learn to ask what he/she should do

·                     Learn to conjugate and use the modal verb sollen

·                     Learn to tell someone what to do

·                     Learn to talk about quantities

·                     Learn to say he/she wants something else

·                     Learn to give reasons

·                     Learn to tell where he/she was and what he/she bought

·                     Learn to form and use the conversational past tense

Kaiptel  3

·                     Learn to report past events

·                     Learn to talk about activities

·                     Learn to form the conversational past tense of weak and storng verbs

·                     Leran to report past events

·                     Learn to talk about places in a city

·                     Learn the formation of the narrative past tense of haben

·                     Learn to use the dative case with the propositions in and an

·                     Ask how someone liked something

·                     Express enthusiasm and disappointment

·                     Respond enthusiastically or sympatheticall

Semester 2:  Kaitel 6, 7 and 8

Kapitel 6

·                     Learn to inquire about someone’s health and respond

·                     Learnt to make suggestions regarding someone’s health

·                     Learn the parts of the body

·                     Learn the inclusive command (wir form)

·                     Learn to ask/talk about and express pain

·                     Learn verbs that require the dative case

·                     Learn to use reflesive verb with the dative case and dative reflexive pronouns

·                     Learn to ask for and give advice

·                     Learn to express hope

·                     Learn the irregular verb messen

Kapitel 7

·                     Learn to express preference and give reasons

·                     Learn the comparative form of adjectives

·                     Learn to express wishes

·                     Learn the dative reflexive verb sich wünschen

·                     Learn adjective endings following ein words

·                     Learn to agree, but with reservations

·                     Learn to justify answers

·                     Learn adject5ive endings for comparatives

Kapitel 8

·                     Describe clothing, fabric and fasteners

·                     Ask and talk about what one likes to wear and discuss fashion

·                     Express interest, disinterest and indifference

·                     Make and accept compliments

·                     Persuade and dissuade

·                     Use adjective endings following der and dieser words in the nominative, accusative and dative cases

·                     Conjugate and use the reflexive verb sich interessieren

·                     Conjugate and use the irregular verb tragen

·                     Use the dative case with certain adjectives and idiomatic expressions

·                     Conjugate and use the verb kaufen with the dative reflexive pronouns

·                     Use the conjunction wenn with subordinating word order

·                     Understand relationships between and within sentences

·                     Write an ad for a German fashion catalog

Grading for Proficiency

• You will be required to demonstrate a Benchmark 2 level of proficiency in the Standards of reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture.  As language acquisition occurs over time, and you may demonstrate proficiency in one or two of the standards before the rest, the grade you receive will reflect an average of your level of proficiency on the standards.  You will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency during the semester.
• You will be expected to redo any assignment or assessment on which you receive a score of 60% or less.  The new score will then become the score on record.  Prior to retesting, you will be required to complete certain “homeworks” to demonstrate preparation.
• At the time you receive your grade, it will be noted (under comments) if you are below level in any of the five standards.

Grading Policy

• 80%  Written compositions, projects, quizzes
• 10%  Final Exam
• 10%  Personal Management (This includes handing work in on time as well as demonstrating an understanding of the importance of completing practice work.)

Standards and the Requirements:

Speaking:

• Make and respond to greetings and introductions
• Use familiar vocabulary in context
• State time, address, and telephone numbers
• Express ideas using vocabulary limited to common objects and actions
• Conveys information using basic memorized language, lists, phrases and simple sentences
• Often relies on visual aids to present ideas

Listening:

• Recognize vocabulary related to familiar topics
• Understand a short series of simple directions

Reading:

• Know the symbols of the alphabet
• Combine symbols to read words
• Read and demonstrate understanding of some common cognates, borrowed and high-frequency words and expressions from familiar material
• Use contextual and visual cues

Writing

• Make lists of familiar objects and vocabulary
• Spell familiar words using the target language alphabet
• Express simple ideas in short memorized phrases

Culture:

• Demonstrate an understanding of formal vs informal language
• Know general geographic facts about Spain and Latin America
• Demonstrate  knowledge of appropriate greetings

HOW CAN I BE MOST SUCCESSFUL?

Practice…Practice…Practice!  You will get out of this class what you put into it.  If you want to be able to speak well, you will need to practice at home.

Do all of your homework to the best of your ability. 

Come to class with a positive attitude.  Get enough sleep at night.  Eat well so that your brain works well.

WHAT IF I’M ABSENT?

You may e-mail me at ecurtis@fgsd.k12.or.us and I’ll give you your homework.  You may also call. (Ext. 408)

It’s a good idea to have a homework buddy that you can call if you have questions.

German American Partnership Program (GAPP)

All Forest Grove High School students have the opportunity to participate in a 2-3 week exchange program with a high school in Krefeld, Germany.  The German students will visit us first around Spring Break, and FGHS students will travel to Germany in August of 2008.  We definitely need host families.  The cost of the program is around $2,000 which includes plane fare.  The first meeting to discuss the program will be announced soon, so stay tuned.

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