German – Miss Bonner Martin High School Things to Know for Parents ….and students.

Attendance  Being in school is the BEST way NOT to fall behind.  Please avoid non-emergency appointments during school.  If a student misses class – their current homework is due the minute they come in on following day.  If a student misses class – it is THEIR responsibility to check the homework web/syllabus for the assignment and ask for the worksheet (with 200 students, I will not remember who was here and who was not).  If you miss a quiz, it is your responsibility to schedule the make up upon your return.

TARDY POLICY  Each Tardy receives at least 1 d-hall day  Tardy 3 = 5 days detention  Tardy 5= 5 days detention  Tardy 6 = 1 Wed./Sat. School  Tardy 9 = 2 Days Wed./Sat. School  Tardy 10 = 2 Days On-Campus Suspension  Tardy 11 = 4 Days On-Campus Suspension  Tardy 12 = 6 Days CHOICES & Parent Conference for possible Turning Point assignment  Basically…if you are late, you will serve D-Hall!

My Policy Enforcement:  ID’s must be worn at all times.  No electronics. (Phones, iPods, MP3, games) Phones only for “teacher led” assignments (and with permission/instruction).  Dress code: no holes, no tanks/straps, no hats, no sagging, no jammies, no short shorts/ short skirts, no cleavage.  No food or drink in my room. (Eat home!) No “energy drinks” in the building. *Referrals in my class result in a C in citizenship (See my rules & regulations sent home on day 1 - warning NHS members!)

Contact Me  =  Homepage = then click on faculty-teachers-click on Bonner.  Homework Web = fcmail.aisd.net/~abonner on this site, you see the homework for the night and can download lost German notes.  MHS German Weebly = club photos/ honor society/ links/ student resources, etc.

What We Do Daily…  Notes Are handed out in class - if you miss, download them from the H.W.Web or “MHS Get Assignments” folder.  Workbook/Packet (daily grades=20%) Less formal practice of writing based on book and notes.  Worksheets (daily grades=20%) More grammar based than W.Book, focus on details of correct grammar.  “Meet and Greets” (oral grades=10%) During class time, we are practicing our “speaking” with other class members…must be on task and practicing!!

Level 1 Quiz/Tests…  Quizzes 30% of grade: There is a listening and reading section where answers are generally multiple choice…and a writing section where sentences or a paragraph is expected. (2 or 3/chapter)  Tests 40% of grade: There are 3 listening and 3 reading sections where answers are generally multiple choice…and 3 writing sections where sentences or a paragraph is expected. (2/six wks.)  (occasional oral quiz grades – along the lines of memorization skills and prepared projects.)

Upper Level Quiz/Tests…  Quizzes 30% of grade: There are listening/reading/grammar quizzes where answers are generally multiple choice; writing sections needing paragraphs…and additional oral quizzes where I grade on a rubric. (2 or 3/chapter)  Tests 40% of grade: There are listening/reading/grammar sections where answers are generally multiple choice…and written & oral tests/projects as test grades. (goal: min 1 each per six weeks)  Although most oral assessments take place in level 3, 4, and AP…levels 1&2 do have oral projects and occasional oral grades (usually a quiz.)

In/With The LAB…  Language Lab (Oral Grades 10%) Pairing/grouping oral practice and assignments. Oral reading or dictation assignments. Book related CD-Rom for basic practice of concepts. Online practice with book website and “teacher” websites geared toward our textbook. Oral presentations become a big part of upper level classes. PLEASE - bookmark our online links at home and practice daily (Apps are also available). If you want a CD-Rom for home… me about “checking one out”. (newer computers might not be compatible: i.e. Windows 7…need 32bit computer)

HOMEWORK?  YES – every night! Oral Grades 10% - in the lab or during “meet & greets”. Daily Grades 20% - workbook, worksheet, bk. pages. Quiz Grades 30% - usually 4-5 per six weeks. Tests Grades 40% - usually 2 per six weeks. (Presentations: oral assessments as daily/quiz/test grades) Not all homework is written – Vocab is a daily chore!! Keep up with an assignment notebook, the six weeks’ syllabus or check the homework web!

Check “TEAMS” weekly… Words of wisdom… Failure to turn in classwork/homework can cause your average to fall dramatically and may ultimately affect final average! Daily 1 Assignment Daily 2 Assignment Daily 3 Assignment Total 300/3 200/3 = = Average

Need Help??  See Me – A.S.A.P. Right AFTER school is best (or lunch if I am available). On alternate A/B-days is best…you still have one night to finish your assignment. (So, do Aday work on Aday night, etc.) Right BEFORE class is too late. Official tutorial sessions: Tue/Wed/Thur in Rm 173 (or Language Lab) from 3-4pm  Need an “at home” tutor? me that you need a tutor and I can send a list of NHS members who tutor for free or previous German students who can tutor for an hourly price! (German or other classes)

German Expectations:  Novice (Level 1) Get and give information by asking and answering direct memorized questions on general topics. Detect main ideas, make lists, recognize spoken German. Create language by combining language elements in short sentences and strings of sentences. Satisfy simple needs to survive in the target language & culture. Recognize similarities and differences between the two languages and cultures.

Upper Level Expectations:  Novice High (Level 2) Engage in oral/written exchanges of learned material to socialize & exchange/obtain information. Sustain basic, uncomplicated “face to face” communication, including commentary. (present & past) Present information using familiar words, phrases and sentences to listeners and readers. (present & past) Demonstrate an understanding of the practices and perspectives of the culture.

Upper Level Expectations:  Intermediate (Level 3) Participate actively in conversations in settings on concrete/factual topics of personal & public interest. Narrate and describe in major time frames with good control (past/present/future). Deal effectively with unanticipated complications through a variety of communicative devices (Q/A, circumlocution). Sustain communication by using connected discourse of paragraph length and substance - with suitable accuracy and confidence. Satisfy the demands of work, daily life and/or school situations. Use knowledge of the culture in the development of skills.

Upper Level Expectations:  “Authentic Materials”  Int. & PreAdvanced (Level 4 & 5AP) Engage (actively) in oral & written exchanges to socialize, exchange information, express preferences & feelings and persuade/make suggestions. Interpret/ analyze/ generalize materials based on previous knowledge from materials in “authentic texts.” Use the language to demonstrate an understanding of the culture through comparisons of one’s own culture. Use resources (& technology) in the target language to gain access to information and expand knowledge.

Realistically…  As the spoken language gets more complicated, so does the structure, grammar and grading. I do include “completion” “effort” and “subjective & objective” grading based on rubrics. I do expect students to work hard and try hard. I do NOT expect them to speak PERFECT German….  (I don’t speak perfect German either!)  I DO expect them to SPEAK GERMAN!

Welcome to Martin High!!  Set HIGH goals…  Strive for HIGH goals…  And achieve HIGH goals…

READY! RESPONSIBLE! RESPECTFUL! Martin Warriors…