updated 20 February 2013

“Checks” are class participation points.

Students in all German classes are expected to earn 10 participation points per day, 50 per week. Points are tallied on the final day of the week, generally Fridays. The last 10 minutes of Friday classes are banned for turning in checks as this is not the assignment to wait until the last minute to complete. Students should actively participate in class earning their points for the week. This is a list of suggested activities from which students may choose to select their activities. Students who are absent may wisely choose activities that do not require their attendance in class.

How I can earn “checks” (participation points) in German class:

1. volunteer to read aloud in class (1-5 checks each time) 2. contribute answers to assignment/review questions in class (1-5 checks each time) 3. engage and provide feedback in class discussions on a given cultural topic (1-5 checks each time) 4. GC: interact and respond during unit reviews by providing answers and feedback (ranges)   5. D1, D2, D3, D4: volunteer to read your bellwork sentences for the whole class review of the daily verb 6. D1, D2, D3, D4: interact and respond during assignment reviews by providing answers and feedback

7. D1, D2, D3, D4: provide oral translations for understanding a reading selection in whole class discussion (ranges)

8. manage the checkbook by taking on the role of the CheckwächterIn (5 checks per day)

9. manage daily paperwork (in/out) during class by taking on the role of the PapierchefIn (ranges 1-5 checks per class)

10. bring, present and discuss German-related items from home (ranges)

memorize and recite German memory work: song lyrics, poetry, prayers, dialog, prose, skit, etc. (ranges)

procure your own German/English dictionary and thereafter bring it to class daily (25 checks one time)

follow a recipe and make a culturally appropriate sample of cuisine from a German-speaking country (ranges)

GC: make flashcards for the daily bellwork vocabulary and/or unit vocabulary (ranges 10-25 checks)

D1, D2: make flashcards for the weekly Stufe vocabulary words(20 checks)

D3: make flashcards for the biweekly Lektion vocabulary words (30 checks)

D1, D2, D3, D4: make flashcards for the daily bellwork verbs with definitions and all forms/tenses (ranges, 10+ checks)

write the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) 10x each (30 checks)

create a crossword puzzle using the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (20 checks)

create a word search using the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (20 checks)

complete a word search or crossword puzzle (10 checks per puzzle)

illustrate the entire vocabulary list in a picture dictionary (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (30 checks)

create a triangle puzzle using the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (30 checks)

create a memory game using the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (30 checks)

create a PowerPoint for studying the entire vocabulary list (per Unit, per Stufe, per Lektion) (50 checks)

create a fortune teller foldable using verbs, verb forms, sentences, definitions (see sample) (50 checks)

D1, D2, D3, D4: create a PowerPoint for studying the week’s grammar point(s) (per Stufe, per Lektion) (50 checks)

create PowerPoint on a relevant German-speaking cultural, historical, or current event topic  (50 checks)

D1, D2: complete an online self-test (my.hrw.com) for a Kapitel/Stufe on your textbook level, provide proof via hardcopy or email to anovak@bixbyps.org (20 checks)

D1, D2: complete online activities (my.hrw.com) for the Kapitel/Stufe on your textbook level, provide proof via hardcopy or email anovak@bixbyps.org (ranges 5+ checks)

D1, D2: complete textbook activities for a Kapitel/Stufe as enrichment, provide written proof in cow journal (ranges 5-10 checks per exercise)

D1, D2: complete written exercises in Mehr Grammatikübungen pages at the end of a textbook chapter for each Stufe (10 points per exercise)

D3: research and complete online flashcards, quizzes, activities for Deutsch Aktuell 3, provide proof via hardcopy or email anovak@bixbyps.org (ranges 10+ checks per exercise/activity) {Google the textbook title for resources}

D3: complete a chapter closure project, see Deutsch Aktuell 3 textbook, opposite Vokabeln page (100 checks)

follow contest guidelines and make a podcast or video to submit to StepintoGerman at: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/sig/enindex.htm (200 checks, prizes also available from Goethe Institut)

send your parents/guardians to parent orientation/back to school night (50 checks per day/visit)

send your parents/guardians to parent/teacher conferences in fall/spring (50 checks per day/visit)

submit a valid design for the annual German Club T-shirt in August/September (15 checks per valid entry)

be the winning designer of the German Club T-shirt contest in September (30 checks for winning entry and complimentary shirt)

attend and volunteer at the Tulsa Oktoberfest in October (help GAST food booths) (ranges, 15 checks per hour)

attend, participate, and/or  place in the OSU Deutschfest in March (ranges, competing in categories beyond the requirement each 50 checks,  1^st place: 75 checks, 2^nd place: 50 checks, 3^rd place: 25 checks)

attend, participate, and/or  place in the TCC Frühlingsfest in April (ranges, 1^st place: 75 checks, 2^nd place: 50 checks, 3^rd place: 25 checks)

work your lunch in the High School candy store in the Commons during German Club weeks (10 checks per shift)

promote the German language by selling imported chocolate/candy (ranges)

write an essay for GAST, Jewish Museum, or other organizations according to guidelines/deadlines (200 checks)

bring materials as needed to class for the purpose of benefiting the class (ranges 5 checks +)

attend a German Club meeting (5 checks)

attend a German Club activity (ranges 10+ checks)

recruit a German Club member or German student (10 checks each new member/student enrolled)

attend , volunteer for, and participate in GAST activities as announced or by checking www.gastulsa.org (ranges 10+ checks, volunteering is 15 checks per hour)

help Frau Novak before/after school as needed (ranges 15 checks + per hour)

clean up and/or take the recycling for class (ranges,  5 checks +)

write German Club announcements/activities on commons board (10 checks)

use your German outside of class and bring back proof (meet a German speaker at the store and speak to them) (ranges, 5 checks+)

share your German language experiences outside the school setting with the class (ranges)

???

How I can lose “checks” (participation points) in German class:

1. come to class late (minus 5)

2. choose to not actively participate in class (minus 5)

3. choose to not follow class procedures/expectations (minus 5)

4. leave class to use the toilet (students receive 50 points the first week of the semester to utilize for emergencies)

5. leave class to get a drink (students receive 50 points the first week of the semester to utilize for emergencies)

6. leave class to retrieve (forgotten) class supplies (minus 5)

7. chew gum, eat, drink in class when not appropriate (minus 5)

8. use any electronic devices when not appropriate or directed by the instructor (minus 5)

9. use online translators (Google) instead of thinking it through and using recommended resources (minus 5)

10.  

GC = German Culture; D1 = German 1; D2 = German 2; D3 = German 3; D4 = German 4

Note:

*GAST stands for the German American Society of Tulsa located at 15^th and Lewis behind Walgreens on the northwest corner.  This organization provides great funding and opportunities for students to acquire skills in the language and cultures we study.

**This is not a comprehensive and exhaustive list as ways of participating and learning German are endless!

Why have participation points?

      Learning a language is not something that just happens.  It takes daily practice and attempts and often failure in communication.  Without dedication and determination, none of us would be able to communicate with others.  "Checks" are simply class participation points comprising a large part of the 10% of a student's overall grade for class participation. Participation points are NOT CONSIDERED EXTRA CREDIT!  It is essential that every student be engaged in the classroom in order to acquire a second (or third) language.  This posted list was created and refined by experienced students.  It is also important to note that although daily attendance is crucial, one can STILL earn checks if unable to attend class.  Without learning language and culture together, we cannot communicate successfully in the world; case in point: Wal-Mart Germany! 

Can I earn more than the required amount of points per week?

For students going beyond the weekly participation point requirement, generally 50 points per week, the following formula will be used to reward high achieving students:

51-99….keep 5 points beyond requirement

  100-199… keep 5 additional points beyond requirement

  200-299… keep 5 additional points beyond requirement

  300-399… keep 5 additional points beyond requirement

  400-499… keep 5 additional points beyond requirement

  500-599… keep 5 additional points beyond requirement

For every 100 checks earned…5 points will be allowed to exceed the weekly requirement.

For example: Johann has earned 173 checks this week and there were 5 days of class this week so the weekly requirement is 50 points. Johann will get his required 50/50 and he will retain an additional 10 points for exceeding the points for the week. His grade would be 60/50 = 120%. This incentive will only apply to students who exceed the required points for the week.