Saturday, April 29, 2017

29. April '17 - Story Time

Today we told stories! Or rather we finished up the presentations of fairy tales and poems, followed by each student presenting the tongue twisters that they had made for homework.

Next we engaged in an activity that I can as of now finally start calling a tradition, since it's the second year that we've done it: so-called 'Warm Fuzzies.' This activity involves every student in the class writing 1 nice thing about every other student. We then cut these out into little paper bits, collect them per person, and as such every student comes away from the activity with a nice little pile of compliments.

We followed this up with a video from Mirellativegal, and then got to the main event: introducing "Das Romische Rätselhafte Mordbankett" or "The Roman Murder Mystery Banquet." Yes, I had to invent the word "Mordbankett" for this. Apparently the Germans never had the need for the phrase, "Murder Banquet."
In two weeks on 5/13 (since we need to prepare a bit next week), we shall have our own Iron Age era themed equivalent of "Clue," basically. We shall bring food, wear costumes, and each portray a pre-assigned character. One of us will be gradually poisoning every one else over the course of the "evening," and the banquet guests (in an Imperial Roman villa) must figure out who it is... before it's too late. This usually last about an hour, and for the sake of learning no one is allowed for the duration to speak in anything but:

  • German (because obviously)
  • Latin (because Rome)
  • Greek (because again, Rome)
  • Aramaic (rare but it happened)
  • Ancient Gaulic (if you know how to do this, I'm impressed) 

Further details will be discussed next week, including the food and entertainment assignments. Each student must not only bring something, but also perform something as well for the sake of the partygoers. 

Mit Vergnügen~



Saturday, April 22, 2017

22.April '17 - Märchen und Gefahr

Today was danger day, the day that tests us, taking us to our very limits, challenging us to move beyond what once we thought our highest boundaries. Today... we read fairy tales.

For the first hour of the day, we read aloud and discussed several German fairy tales, which of course, being German fairy tales, were weird beyond comprehension. There was a dwarf-killing talking bear who turned into a prince, shoe making elves who teleport into your house at midnight, and of course a wolf capable of devouring grandma whole and completely unscathed.

Once the madness was at an end, we next ran our annual obstacle course. With most of the class in a conga-style line with their eyes closed, one at a time a single student would call out commands (Nach rechts, nach links, vorwärts, rückwärts, halt) to guide them through the school, out the doors, around a field, etc.

We ended the day talking about proper pronunciation of common German syllables and running through some tongue twisters.

The homework for the week is for each to make up their own German tongue twister, at least 10 words long.

Mit Vergnügen

Saturday, April 8, 2017

AATG Day - 8.April '17

Today we spent most of the day taking the level 1 AATG exam.

For the rest of class, we went over and began what will be a series of in-class presentations for the next time we meet, 22. April.

The assignment is as follows:

Gedichte-Geschichte-Märchen Vorlesen
Pick out a poem, story, song or fairy tale to read out loud to the class. This must be between 5 and 10 minutes long when you read it. 
Prepare 5 questions to ask the class to test their comprehension. 
The questions may be in English (if about main ideas) or in German (if about specific details). 

So far we have the following stories chosen:

  • Peter: Rottkäppchen
  • Samantha: Sneeweißchen und Rosenrot
  • Anna U: Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse
  • Emily: Frau Holle
  • Sarah: Als der Nikolaus Kam
  • Peter: Zum Ersten Tag als Rentner
You may not choose the same story as someone else.

These stories must be well-practiced so that they may be read aloud quickly and, most importantly, comprehensibly. Stumbling through and asking how to say words will greatly disrupt the experience and make it harder for the class to understand. 

Mit Vergnügen

Sunday, April 2, 2017

1.April '17 - Teutoburg, No Tricks

The most fun thing about teaching on April 1st was that the class spent the entire day anticipating a prank that never came. That is the best kind of prank, you see: doing nothing at all and letting their minds run with it.

Today we did Teutoburg. I can say quite easily it was the best Battle of Teutoburg play I have seen to-date! We ran through it 3 times, recorded, and then had an encore performance for the 4th and 6th grade classes so the latter could see what to expect next year and, well, the former was just curious and wanted to know what all the noise was about.

After the break, we had a further lesson on the dative case, expanding it into a lesson on the accusative and the difference between the two.

NEXT WEEK WE ARE TAKING THE AATG LEVEL 1 EXAM. THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW. THIS IS A BENCHMARK AND A STUDY AID FOR NEXT YEAR'S LEVEL 2 EXAM THAT THEY WILL TAKE AS 8TH GRADERS. SO WHILE THIS TEST IS INDEED FOR REAL, IT IS INTENDED AS PRACTICE. PLEASE BRING A LAPTOP OR TABLET AND EARBUDS/HEADPHONES.

Mit Vergnügen!