Herr Johnston's Website
German Courses
German I

 German II

 German III

 German IV

 German Class Activities

 Required Supplies

 Many Extra Credit Opportunities


 Never put off studying another language! Whether you want to study German, Spanish, French, Japanese, or any other language, it is best to start as soon as possible. The earlier you start learning another language will make it that much easier for you in the future.

**Remember that the vast majority of universities and colleges require a minimum of two years of   foreign language study in the same language. If you are applying to a very competitive college or   program, you will want to have as many years as possible.

**Learning a language early will enable you to take as many years as you wish.

**Some students do not learn languages easily and may need to repeat the first year in order to go on   to or do well in the second year. Starting early allows you some "wiggle room" in case you need to   repeat the first year.



German I
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length: Two Semesters
Prerequisite: None

Students will acquire basic tools and simple vocabulary. Students will be working toward a beginning level of language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

German I students may use the language lab to improve their speaking and listening skills.

Komm mit! Level I is the main textbook used. Other supplementary materials are used.



German II
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length: Two Semesters
Prerequisite: Demonstrate proficiency at German I and earn the grade of “C” or better.

German II students will continue to improve their level of communicative proficiency. Students will increase vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures. Students may use the language lab to improve their speaking and listening skills.

Komm mit!: Level II is the main textbook used. Other supplementary materials and the internet are used.



German III
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length: Two Semesters
Prerequisite: Demonstrate proficiency at German II and earn the grade of “C” or better.

German III students will continue to develop reading and writing skills. Student proficiency will increase through producing conversations, projects, small research assignments, internet activities, skits, and real-life situations. Students may use the Glencoe Language Lab to improve their speaking and listening skills.

Students will read original German texts such as German mythology, legends, and the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm who wrote: Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and many other wonderful classics. Erich Kästner’s: Das Doppelte Lottchen, the original version of Disney’s The Parent Trap may be read. Students will listen to two radio comedies: Reisefieber and Romea und Julian. Other possible reading selections include: Elvis in Köln; Geheime Mission; Emil; Das Paradies liegt in Amerika; Oh, Wie Schön ist Panama; and Post für den Tiger. Komm mit!: Level III is the main textbook. If the students choose, they will also have the opportunity to read stories about Germany prior to, during, and after the Second World War.

The students will select much of the reading material based on their interests.



German IV
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length: Two Semesters
Prerequisite: Demonstrate proficiency at German III and earn the grade of “C” or better.

German IV students will continue to develop language proficiency skills. Students will read short stories, short novels, and translate German newspaper and magazine articles. There will be discussions and emphasis on reading and writing at a higher level. Students may use the Glencoe Language Lab to improve their speaking and listening skills.

Students will read original German novels such as Jugend ohne Gott by Ödön von Horváth, Was bleibt by Christa Wolf, Die Physiker by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Sonnenallee by Thomas Brussig, and Die verschwundene Miniatur by Erich Kästner.

The students will select much of the reading material based on their interests.



German Class Activities
Unterrichtspiele - Class Games
The Price is Right
Go Fish
The Slap Game
Battle Ship
Chalkboard Competitions

Das Puppeprojekt - The Puppet Project

Die Stadt - The City

Mein Familienalbum - My Family Album

Mein Traumhaus - My Dream House

Die Wettervorhersage - Weatherforcast

Deutsches Essen - Food Days

Mein deutsches T-Shirt - My German T-Shirt

Mein deutscher Krug - My German Mug

Modeshow - Fashion Show



 Required Supplies
1. ballpoint ink pens: either black or blue ink only **
2. pencils: either wood or mechanical, with #2 lead **
3. College-ruled, 8½" x 11", white notebook paper. **    Spiral notebook paper is forbidden!
4. 3-ring notebook **
5. German textbook **
6. fine-tipped felt pen: black ink only
7. colored pencils or markers
8. sharpener for colored pencils

** You are required to have this EVERY day at the beginning of class.



 Many Extra Credit Opportunities
I provide a plethora of opportunities for my students to earn extra credit points in my German classes. These opportunities enable you to earn extra points, but more importantly, practice your German.

1. Students may play my vocabulary and grammar games for extra points. These games are located    on the Computer Games page on this website. Students will receive a 1/2 point per game that is    played and the results emailed to me. They may earn a maximum of 2 points per day and 10 points    each week.

2. Students who write each new vocabulary word seven times and turn it into me, before a vocabulary    test, will receive 5 extra points.

3. Students may earn extra points by making their own flash cards. I suggest, however, that they buy    the cards that I have created. All of the vocabulary words have been neatly typed and checked for    errors. Some students make mistakes when copying the words from the vocabulary sheet onto the    cards and end up learning the incorrect spelling of a particular German word.

4. If a student sees a German film or play, attends a German classical music concert, reads a    German story, or does anything related to German, they may write a reaction paper for me and will    earn extra points depending on the event and quality of the paper submitted. All students need to    get my approval for the activity before they start.

5. Any student who creates games or activities, to teach or review vocabulary or grammar, which I    have not done before will receive 15 extra credit points per activity.

6. Students who draw or cut out pictures that represent our vocabulary words will receive 2 points. I    need to be able to use them for my visual flashcards, so the pictures cannot be small.