Learning a second language can be fun and rewarding; it also demands time and energy on your part. Much like learning how to play an instrument or a sport, learning how to speak and understand a language requires patience, practice, attention to detail, and mastery of new skills.
Since German is a performance class, you should expect to be evaluated frequently, 2-3 times per week. Evaluations come in a variety of forms: homework, notebook quizzes, oral participation, journal entries or short compositions, quizzes, projects, pair & group work, warm-up activities, and tests.
Because the process of learning a foreign language involves many different processes, you will be evaluated in several different ways. Click on a category for more info:
Daily Preparation &Participation
DAILY PREPARATION & PARTICIPATION: 50% of your total grade
This part of your grade depends both on how well you prepare for class and how well you use your time in class. Practicing your German during class is extremely important! You cannot expect to learn German if you don't practice (a lot!) out loud. Don't worry about making mistakes when you speak! I would much rather have you participate actively and make some mistakes than to just sit in your seat, speaking only when I call on you! With a desire to improve and enough practice, your errors will begin to disappear....You will receive at least 100 points per quarter based on what you actually DO in class.
here for the criteria used for daily performance grades, or
You may also receive Preparation & Participation points for the following:
- Using German in class whenever possible
- Mini oral evaluations (based on previous home- or classwork)
- Notebook quizzes
- Dictations (focus: spelling)
- Pair Work & Group Work
- Coming to class mentally prepared
- Coming to class every day with required materials and an organized notebook
- Using individual time wisely and productively for German learning
- Completing homework assignments accurately and on time
All German students are required to keep an organized German notebook . This notebook is an important key to being an efficient and organized learner.
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LEARNING VOCABULARY : 25% of your total grade
You can't learn to speak German unless you learn German words! In each chapter, you will have a list of new words and expressions that you will be responsible for learning! You must be able to translate them from German to English and from English back into German. You must also be able to spell them correctly. Work on your vocabulary list a little bit each day. Don't procrastinate about learning vocabulary, otherwise the regular vocabulary quizzes will become one of your biggest headaches!
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TESTS & QUIZZES: 25% of your total grade
Each chapter in your textbook is divided into several sections, and upon completion of each section, there will be a short quiz. (These quizzes normally take about 10-15 minutes to complete and count 15-30 points.) After your class completes a chapter, there will also be a chapter test. These tests are longer; usually they take the entire class period and are worth 100 points. During a chapter test, you will be evaluated on listening, reading and writing skills.In some instances, you may be assigned a special project; the completed project will count the same as a chapter test.
New this year is a quarterly quiz grade for responsible classroom habits.
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GRADING SCALE: Letter grades are assigned according to the percentage point average earned by a student.
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A+ .........97-100 |
B+ ......... 92 |
C+ ......... 85 |
D+ ......... 77 |
F .......... 69 & below |
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A .......... 93-96 |
B ........... 87-91 |
C ........... 79-84 |
D ........... 73-76 |
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B- .......... 86 |
C- ........... 78 |
D- .......... 70-72 |
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WHAT ABOUT EXTRA CREDIT?
Students are evaluated frequently in a language class, and in a variety of ways. All students will be able to earn enough points to do well, providing they keep three things in mind:
- Students should have a commitment to learning to speak German.
- Students should complete all regularly assigned work.
- Students should demonstrate responsibility, they should work hard and practice good study skills.
Extra credit is available on some quizzes and tests, and may also be awarded for daily work or projects when a student demonstrates outstanding creativity, scholarly effort and/or extra participation.
Extra credit projects, papers, etc. are not available options in German classes.
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