Guten Morgen!
Today we finally got back into the swing of things after last week's unfortunate snow-based cancellation.
Our focus returned to our historical unit over Iron Age Germania, this covering the topic of warfare. We discussed the Roman military, its formation and tactics, and how this compared to the Germanic tribes of the time.
In short:technology, strategy and organization versus "go over there and hit that guy really really hard."
We then made our own either legionnaires or germanic warriors, and held a war game. "Eisenzeit Krieg" is a turn-based, dice-driven combat system (like D&D Very Lite) that I invented a few years back, and it's always a crowd pleaser. We had some real nail-biter combat rounds, culminating in the entire class engaging in a battle royale with only one survivor at the end.
Since we've been covering the past tense (perfect) in class lately, next week we will also start working on an assignment, "Meine Woche." Just like I've been doing in class, so too shall the kids start making presentations about their own weeks and what they've been up to.
Mit Vergnügen
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Saturday, January 5, 2019
5. Januar '19 - Neujahr und Weitermachen
Guten Tag!
Today began like any other day before the usual descent into chaos.
We went over Meine Woche as "Meine Feiertage," and our listening comprehension was "Der Perfekte Hengst," (the perfect stallion) from My Little Pony.
Our lesson revolved around the perfect, otherwise known as the "spoken past." It's the past tense that uses helping verbs haben and sein, to differentiate it from the preterit or "written past."
The assignment was fairly simple: give me 10 sentences about what you did over the holidays. This took quite a while.
For the last 15 minutes of class, we went outside and enjoyed what will probably be some of the last warmth and sunshine we'll see for quite some time.
Mit Vergnügen
Today began like any other day before the usual descent into chaos.
We went over Meine Woche as "Meine Feiertage," and our listening comprehension was "Der Perfekte Hengst," (the perfect stallion) from My Little Pony.
Our lesson revolved around the perfect, otherwise known as the "spoken past." It's the past tense that uses helping verbs haben and sein, to differentiate it from the preterit or "written past."
The assignment was fairly simple: give me 10 sentences about what you did over the holidays. This took quite a while.
For the last 15 minutes of class, we went outside and enjoyed what will probably be some of the last warmth and sunshine we'll see for quite some time.
Mit Vergnügen
Sunday, December 16, 2018
15. Dezember - Krampus kommt
Guten Abend!
This weekend we celebrated the Reason for the Season, der Krampus.
We began the day with a perennial classic, much to my elation and the boys' chagrin, "Lass jetzt Los" (Let it Go, from Frozen) and a summary of my week.
We then spent the majority of our time up until we had to participate somewhat in the preparations for the Weihnachtsprogramm learning about Krampus.
I managed to find a video explaining the highlights of the legend:
This weekend we celebrated the Reason for the Season, der Krampus.
We began the day with a perennial classic, much to my elation and the boys' chagrin, "Lass jetzt Los" (Let it Go, from Frozen) and a summary of my week.
We then spent the majority of our time up until we had to participate somewhat in the preparations for the Weihnachtsprogramm learning about Krampus.
I managed to find a video explaining the highlights of the legend:
- Accompanies Saint Nikolaus on Nikolaustag
- Nikolaus gives gifts to good children, Krampus takes away bad children and eats them
- Appearance like a satyr or neo-medieval demon
Because I'm a fan of history and anthropology, I explained why it is that legends like this come to pass, about how in previous centuries adherence to social norms and obedience to one's parents meant not just good social standing in a community, but potentially even life or death (e.g. "don't wander in the woods at night!" because hey there are wolves out there). Hence why we have cautionary tales and exaggerated legends to try and enforce good behavior.
We then had the choice: either write a letter to St. Nick telling him how good we've been and what we want for Christmas, or to Krampus saying how actually pretty good we've been and hey don't eat us. Most chose the latter.
We will meet again in the new year -- December 22nd and 29th are not school days.
Mit Vergnügen~
Saturday, December 8, 2018
8. Dezember '18 - Getting Modal
Guten Tag!
We began the day with Meine Woche as always, then did our listening comprehension with a classic, "Ich Will" by Rammstein.
This provided us a lovely segue into our review and continuation of the topic of modal verbs. We went over the pairings of Wollen and Möchten as well as Können and Dürfen.
We had some friendly competition with a Kahoot followed by team board races as well.
We ended the day with still more competition, playing soccer for the last 20 minutes until I was too exhausted to keep up with the kids any further.
Mit Vergnügen
We began the day with Meine Woche as always, then did our listening comprehension with a classic, "Ich Will" by Rammstein.
This provided us a lovely segue into our review and continuation of the topic of modal verbs. We went over the pairings of Wollen and Möchten as well as Können and Dürfen.
We had some friendly competition with a Kahoot followed by team board races as well.
We ended the day with still more competition, playing soccer for the last 20 minutes until I was too exhausted to keep up with the kids any further.
Mit Vergnügen
Sunday, November 11, 2018
10.Nov '18 - Eisenzeit beginnt
Guten Tag,
We began Saturday more or less with Meine Woche, then followed that up by going through a list of Züngenbrecher, what we'd call in English tongue twisters.
Our focus for the day was beginning our social-historical unit over Iron Age Germany. We do so through the lens of the Roman Empire, which is the only real source of historical data (aside from artifacts) that we have about Germany during this time period.
As there is no such thing as a fully unbiased or objective source, we include a study of Rome itself in this unit to help us better understand both the perspective of those who did the recording of ancient Germany's history, and to clarify the controversies and complexities of Rome and Germany's interactions.
It is one thing to say, for instance, that Rome was a hostile invader (from Germany's perspective) or that the Germanic tribes were "barbarians" (from Rome's perspective); it's quite another to understand why they thought that way, and what the variances of opinion were in both groups.
This unit will continue on and off throughout the year, culminating with our annual reenactment of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.
We began Saturday more or less with Meine Woche, then followed that up by going through a list of Züngenbrecher, what we'd call in English tongue twisters.
Our focus for the day was beginning our social-historical unit over Iron Age Germany. We do so through the lens of the Roman Empire, which is the only real source of historical data (aside from artifacts) that we have about Germany during this time period.
As there is no such thing as a fully unbiased or objective source, we include a study of Rome itself in this unit to help us better understand both the perspective of those who did the recording of ancient Germany's history, and to clarify the controversies and complexities of Rome and Germany's interactions.
It is one thing to say, for instance, that Rome was a hostile invader (from Germany's perspective) or that the Germanic tribes were "barbarians" (from Rome's perspective); it's quite another to understand why they thought that way, and what the variances of opinion were in both groups.
This unit will continue on and off throughout the year, culminating with our annual reenactment of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
3. November '18 - Noch was neues
Guten Tag!
We had another new addition to our class today. Finally! We are no longer just a rowdy gaggle of boys!
We began with Meine Woche as always, and our listening comprehension was "Millionär" by Die Prinzen.
Our lesson was an introduction to modal verbs, beginning with Wollen and Möchten. We discussed their exact meaning (want, would like) and how idiomatically they express varying degrees of politeness when used to make requests. "Would like" is considered proper whereas just blurting out that one "wants" something is considered childish and even rude.
Accompanying this we had an overall lesson over German syntax, using an acronym I came up with called "SHI/P" (Subject, Helper, Infinitive/Participle).
Our main activity was producing our own little dialogues in pairs; one student in each pair was a bratty child, the other the parent trying to instill some manners and decorum into the kid.
The comparative/superlative quizzes were also handed back.
Mit Vergnügen~
We had another new addition to our class today. Finally! We are no longer just a rowdy gaggle of boys!
We began with Meine Woche as always, and our listening comprehension was "Millionär" by Die Prinzen.
Our lesson was an introduction to modal verbs, beginning with Wollen and Möchten. We discussed their exact meaning (want, would like) and how idiomatically they express varying degrees of politeness when used to make requests. "Would like" is considered proper whereas just blurting out that one "wants" something is considered childish and even rude.
Accompanying this we had an overall lesson over German syntax, using an acronym I came up with called "SHI/P" (Subject, Helper, Infinitive/Participle).
Our main activity was producing our own little dialogues in pairs; one student in each pair was a bratty child, the other the parent trying to instill some manners and decorum into the kid.
The comparative/superlative quizzes were also handed back.
Mit Vergnügen~
Sunday, October 28, 2018
27. Oktober '18 - Etwas Neues
Guten Tag!
This Saturday was interesting. We had a new student come into the class today, and I hear tell that we will have another one coming.
We began the day with Meine Woche as usual, and went into one of my favorite songs, "Ich habe 'nen Traum" (I've Got a Dream, from Tangled).
After this, we had the Halloween Umzug which was, as usual, adorable.
The majority of our day was spent finishing out das Prinzessin Spiel. In pairs and one solo act, we made posters and campaign speeches, then went from class to class trying to win votes for who is the best pony princess of Equestria.
Surprisingly, greatly surprisingly, the winner was Princess of the Sun, Celestia. She never wins. It seems those boys were the most persuasive in their speeches.
Next week shall see a new grammar unit as well as the beginning of our historical-cultural studies.
Mit Vergnügen~
This Saturday was interesting. We had a new student come into the class today, and I hear tell that we will have another one coming.
We began the day with Meine Woche as usual, and went into one of my favorite songs, "Ich habe 'nen Traum" (I've Got a Dream, from Tangled).
After this, we had the Halloween Umzug which was, as usual, adorable.
The majority of our day was spent finishing out das Prinzessin Spiel. In pairs and one solo act, we made posters and campaign speeches, then went from class to class trying to win votes for who is the best pony princess of Equestria.
Surprisingly, greatly surprisingly, the winner was Princess of the Sun, Celestia. She never wins. It seems those boys were the most persuasive in their speeches.
Next week shall see a new grammar unit as well as the beginning of our historical-cultural studies.
Mit Vergnügen~
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