25.April '15 -- Die Nacht vor der Schlacht

Guten Tag,

Today we filmed our penultimate summative activity, "die Nacht vor der Schlacht" or "Twas the Night Before Teutoburg," portraying one of many possible interpretations of what probably happened between Publius Q. Varus, Arminius, and Segestes before that fateful clash between a ragtag coalition of Teutonic tribes and and 3 entire legions of Augustus' finest.

There were some casualties of filming:

• An entire roll of duct tape
• 5 plastic shot glasses
• A Christmas candle
• my dignity as a filmmaker

But the result was incredible. Once I have permission from all parents to post, the video (and outtakes!) will be displayed online. 

Mit Vergnügen

18.April '15 - Prüfungtag

Despite some technical difficulties, all managed to take the AATG exam and finish within the time limit this morning, both in the 7th and 8th grade classes.

With the test behind us, the class went over the historical figures they had looked up for homework: Arminius/Hermann, Segestes, and Publius Quinctillius Varus, two rival Germanic tribal chieftans and the Roman governor of Germania, respectively.
We discussed the background of each and how they interacted with one another in order to prepare us for next week's activity. As has become tradition, one of our two culminating activities for the year is a short play, "Die Nacht vor der Schlacht" or "'Twas the Night Before Teutoburg." We will practice, and film, the play next week.

Each student is requested to bring either:

• Furs or furry looking cape-like objects, including furry bathrobes
• White sheets for togas
• Plastic food
• Plastic medieval weaponry

Once filmed, the skit will be posted here online. 

Viel Glück und viel Spaß!

11.April '15 - Pause vorbei

Guten Tag,


Our day began rather normally with a song and a listening comprehension exercise, one that touched on the topic we had covered just before the break, the perfect or spoken past tense.

We reviewed formation of the perfect, and using this talked briefly about what we had all done over the Spring Break.

After the PAUSE, wherein the class took their turn cleaning up the lunch room (yay for not taking out the garbage anymore!), we diagrammed out the following concepts based on what we had learned so far this year in our cultural unit:

• Advantages of living in Imperial Rome
• Advantages of living as a tribe in Magna Germania
• What both stood to gain from interacting with each other

And then we had Singprobe. 

The homework for this week, both for those present today and for those who will be present next week, is as follows and will assist us in the activity I have planned for us. 

"Who's Who? Of Teutoburg" 

-Choose one of the following characters from history:

• Publius Quinctilius Varus (Governor)
• Segestes
• Arminius

All of these played a role in the failed colonization/invasion (which one it was is a matter of opinion) of Germania by the Romans. 

Describe auf Deutsch your chosen person while answering the following questions:

1. Woher kommt er?
2. Was hat er gedacht, wenn die Römer in Deutschland einkammen?
3. Was war sein Job/was hat er hier gemacht?
4. Was hat er gemacht, das macht diesen Konflikt besser or schlimmer? 

Completion of this assignment will greatly aid us in completing our goals for this unit in the few weeks we have remaining.