Thematic Units in the AP German Classroom Thematic instruction is supported by the ACTFL Performance Guidelines. incorporates National Standards. supplies context for relevant learning and real use. engages students in natural and integrated acquisition of skills. leads to use of complex thinking.

Choosing Topics Broad, overarching subject Interesting, age-appropriate topic Level-appropriate linguistic requirements Good variety of materials available

AP World Languages Themes* Global Challenges Science and Technology Contemporary Life Personal and Public Identities Families and Communities Beauty and Aesthetics *AP World Language and Culture Curriculum Alignment Guide

Building a Unit Students’ linguistic and cultural proficiency (students’ prior knowledge) Connections to other disciplines Method of delivery Authentic materials Modes of communication Language skills Assessment

*AP Vertical Teams for World Languages and Cultures

Learning Objectives Spoken Interpersonal Communication Written Interpersonal Communication Audio, Visual and Audiovisual Interpretive Communication Written and Print Interpretive Communication Spoken Presentational Communication Written Presentational Communication

ACTFL Performance Guidelines/AP Curriculum Alignment Guide Performance Levels

Pre-Advanced Performance Levels asking questions and getting information communicating factual information engaging in extended conversations and discussions on general topics understanding main idea and some details of discussions and presentations presenting on a variety of topics summarizing from reading, hearing, seeing narrating and describing past, present, future events

The Learning (and Teaching) Continuum Theme: Global Challenges Topic: Recycling Novice Level Students identify and say names of objects, identify kinds of materials, describe with colors and numbers of recycling bins, use short commands, learn rhymes and mottos. Assessment: Students bring objects to recycle; students sort objects into the correct bins.

Materials and Methods http://www.tivi.de/fernsehen/purplus/index/21680/index.html?a-1-/fernsehen/purplus/lexikon/17416/index.html Recycling Bilder Gallerie for Vocabulary TPRS for commands http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk6YlXsbpyk Die Sendung mit der Maus Wir von der Müllabfuhr (Lied) http://lehrmittelboutique.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=34 pdf files on Abfall / Recycling (75 pages of activities!)

Unit Checklist Standards Modes of communication Appropriate language and culture level Authentic materials Methods of delivery Assessment

The Learning Continuum Theme: Global Challenges Topic: Recycling Intermediate Level Students bring materials to be recycled and, working in pairs or small groups, they create something new, then present their objects to the class. Assessment: Student produces a short song, rap, poster or video about recycling

Materials http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/kinder/index1.html Aus Alt mach Neu (Müllmode) http://www.tivi.de/fernsehen/logo/artikel/28545/index.html Logo ZDF tivi Text mit Video http://www.greenpeace4kids.de/themen/muell/nachrichten/artikel/muelltrennung_ist_in/ Lesestück Mülltrennung ist in! http://www.slowgerman.com/2007/08/14/slow-german-012-recycling/ http://www.labbe.de/zzzebra/index.asp?themaid=525&titelid=1115 Recycling Briefpapier

The Learning Continuum Theme: Global Challenges Topic: Recycling Pre-Advanced Level Strategy: Research a country and report on its recycling programs. Assessment: Debate – should recycling be mandatory? Where does it work? Why?

Materials http://www.wdr.de/tv/wissenmachtah/multimedia/miniah.php5?id=1260745500 Wissen macht Ah! http://www.wdr.de/tv/home/videopodcast/vodcast.jsp Alle Podcasts von WDR http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/hauptnavigation/sendung-verpasst/#/hauptnavigation/themen/ Videos on a variety of topics. http://www1.ndr.de/flash/mediathek/index.html http://www.greenpeace4kids.de/themen/muell/nachrichten/artikel/weniger_muell_in_deutschland/ Statistika http://www.gruene-jugend.de/ http://www.deutschlern.net http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=deutschewelle#p/search/3/tI-NV5JxNqQ Mülltrennung für Singapur

Reflections Do the materials and activities progress through the performance levels? Do the materials and tasks call for an ever-increasing familiarity with culture and more complex thinking skills? Does the subject matter rely on an ever broadening scope of background knowledge? Do the tasks require more integration of skills? Where can textbook resources support instruction?