Let’s Visit a German State
Betsy Ballios
Morris Hills Regional School District
Morris Hills High School
520 West Main Street
Rockaway, NJ 07866
973-664-2309
bessy20002000@yahoo.com
Course Name: German
III
Grade Level: 11
NJCCCS(S):
Ÿ
Cross-Content
Workplace Readiness- Standard 2
Ÿ
World Languages-
Standards 7.1 and 7.2
Ÿ
Visual and
Performing Arts- Standard 1.3
Description:
When one thinks of Germany,
images of Octoberfest, sausages, and pretzels come to
mind. However, Germany is much more than
beer drinking halls and lederhosen. Germany is known for being techno-modern,
but it is also famous for maintaining its unique traditions.
After studying the geography
of Germany, the next goal is to engage students in discovering the complexity
of the culture and inner workings of a German state. Thus, students will gain an in-depth perspective
of a German state by creating a brochure in German of a state that they would
like to visit. Once they are finished
completing their brochures, they will present their information to the class.
Objectives: The students
will be able to:
Ÿ
Go on an
imaginary trip, exploring one of the German states via the Internet
Ÿ
Describe the
culture, topography, traditions, and tourist attractions of the state by
creating a Microsoft Publisher brochure, written in German
Ÿ
Gain an
appreciation of the state’s culture and complexity
Procedures:
Ÿ
Pairs will choose
a German state. They will brainstorm and
discuss what they already know about their states.
Ÿ
Pairs will view
brochures of several German states. They
will describe how the brochures capture the spirit of the states. Students will note the vital features of an
informative brochure, such as the enhancement of art work.
Ÿ
Pairs will work
cooperatively. They will get background
information on their prospective states by researching on the Internet in the
school’s computer lab. They will receive
a list of websites in order to explore their prospective states. On their note cards, they will include
culture (foods, shopping, art forms…), topography (mountains, coasts, rivers…),
traditions (festivals, styles of music, dress…), and tourist attractions
(museums, castles, town halls…).
Ÿ
Pairs will share
their information in German. Students
will decide which information is important and decide which information to
include in their brochure.
Ÿ
Pairs will create
their brochure, using a desktop publishing program with a German-English
dictionary as reference.
Ÿ
Pairs will
present their completed brochures to the entire class.
Materials:
Ÿ
German brochures
Ÿ
Note cards
Ÿ
German-English
dictionaries
Ÿ
Computers with
Internet access, Microsoft Publisher or any other desktop publishing program
Evaluation: Students will be graded with the following
rubric. They will also reflect on their
progress.
Content
3pts- Contains all of the
essential information, is very specific and accurate.
2pts- Contains some of the
necessary information and facts.
1pt- Contains irrelevant,
limited information and few facts.
Oral presentation
3pts- Engages audience with
confidence. Enthusiasm is apparent. Delivery, body language, voice and
pronunciation are proper. Well rehearsed and does not read off from brochure.
2pts- Communicates adequately
using body language, voice and pronunciation.
Displays some enthusiasm and reads often off the brochure.
1pt- Displays poor body
language, voice projection or pronunciation.
Reads off the brochure most of the time.
Shows lack of interest and rehearsal.
English words are used often.
Language Mechanics
3pts- Contains few if any
grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.
Vocabulary is rich and varied.
2pts- Contains some grammar,
spelling and punctuation errors. Uses narrow range of vocabulary.
1pt- Contains many grammar,
spelling and punctuation errors.
Repetitive vocabulary is common.
English translation is abundant.
Cooperative Pair Work
3pts- Is time
conscience. Fully and fairly
participates in research and creation of brochure.
2pts- Uses time well most of
the time. Is somewhat responsible in the research and
creation of the brochure.
1pt- Uses time poorly and
does not share equally the responsibilities in the research and creation of the
brochure.
Creativity
3pts- Is realistic, colorful,
neat and easy to understand. Many
different pieces of art work highlight the uniqueness and complexity of the
state.
2pts- Contains some art work
and is somewhat colorful and neat.
1pt- Lack of color and art
work is limited. Shows
little attention to details.
Total Points: ______/15
Self Evaluation
How did this project help
you?
What will you do next time?
Any other
comments?
Teacher comments…
