Teacher:	Mrs.  M. Norton
		I prefer to be called Frau or Frau Norton.

Contact Information:
 	E-mail (preferred)	mnorton@mason.k12.mi.us
		Phone			517.676.9055  ext. 208

How to Get Help:
Help Labs		Tuesdays	 2:40 – 3:30	Middle School Room 24
Thursdays     2:50 - 3:30  	High School Room 8
*Other arrangements can also be made.	
			
	Class Websites	fraunorton.weebly.com
					edmodo.com

Course Materials:	
You will be issued:
•	Textbook - Komm mit! 2
•	3 ring Binder - will be left in the classroom for your portfolio
•	5 tab dividers
•	Paper book cover for textbook.  Book must be covered.

	You will need to provide:	
•	Spiral notebook – 70 page, just for German
•	Folder or Binder - whatever method works for you to keep your class work in
•	Pens, pencils and notebook paper as needed
•	*Optional - Fabric book sock, I will have paper covers available  

Replacement cost of the textbook Komm mit! 1 is about $70.00.  Please take care of it and do not lose your copy.

Course Description:
This class will introduce you to various aspects of German speaking peoples.  You will be able to listen, speak, read, and write German at a novice-mid level.  You will also be presented with Germanic Culture and lifestyle, as well as history, and current events.  Topics we will study are character and personality descriptions, track and field, gift giving, travel, towns and directions.  We will also study geography, music, and the impact German speaking countries have on the world.  Language learning is both an academic and a physical skill. Therefore, you will be expected to practice every day.  Your individual efforts will reflect directly on your success in learning German.  

Course Objectives:
During this course you will develop your language skills in the 5 C’s; Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.  These are the state benchmarks.  It is expected that you will be able to do the following at a beginning level.
•	I can engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
•	I can understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
•	I can present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics
•	I can demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of Germanic culture.
•	I can demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of Germanic culture.
•	I can reinforce and further my knowledge of other disciplines through learning German.
•	I can acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the German language and its culture.
•	I can demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of German and English.
•	I can demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the German and American cultures.
•	I can use German both within and beyond the school setting.
•	I can show evidence of becoming a life-long learner by using German for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
Grading Policies:
   Grading Breakdown:
Reading			15%	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
Writing			20%	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
Speaking & Listening		35%	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
Culture (Lab)			10%	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
	Daily Homework		10%  	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
	Work Habits			10%	examples are: ____________, ____________, ____________
   Late Assignment Policy:
Daily Homework will be assigned every day, Monday through Thursday.  It is due at the beginning of the next class period.  It will be scored only at that time.  Full credit is given at the beginning of the marking period and deducted as necessary.  Two exemptions are allowed before points will be deducted.  
Some activities are considered assignments or assessments and may be accepted late.  Late work will lose work habit points.  You will also be required to attend help labs until it is turned in.  Not completing them is not an option!  When absent, you have as many days as you are gone, until the work missed is due. 
   Missing Work Policy:
This course will require you build upon what you have learned in new and different ways as we progress further into the material.  Therefore the practice activities assigned and graded are very important for your success.  Every three weeks your progress will be reviewed and electronic progress reports will be sent home to your family.  Should you be missing any assignment(s), it is expected that you will attend the next after school help lab and complete them then.  If you are not in attendance and an alternate date has not been established with Frau Norton, you will be issued a school detention in which to complete the assignment(s).  The following timeline is established:

	Email Progress Reports to Families:		Help lab required attendance:
		Friday, September 19, 2014			Thursday, September 25, 2014
		Friday, October 10, 2014			Thursday, October 16, 2014
		Friday, October 31, 2014			Thursday, November 6, 2014	

*No work will be accepted after Friday, November 14, 2014

   Retake Policy:
Two tests or quizzes may be retaken per trimester.  It is essential to learn the material, or you will continue to struggle.  However, the opportunity to do so must be done outside of class time within two weeks of the original test date.
  
   No Name Paper Policy:
Papers turned in without a name will be placed on the front board to be claimed and resubmitted for    grading.

   Grading Scale:
A Standards Based Grading system will be used in this course.  That means that your skills will be assessed with a number.  Below you will find a helpful definition or translation of what that means.  This is a common scale used by Standards Based classrooms here at Mason High School.  Additional definitions and rubrics are available to students in the classroom.

Standard Score	Percentage	Proficiency	Letter Grade 	
4.0	100	Advanced	A	
3.75	97	Advanced	A	
3.5	95	Advanced	A	
3.25	93	Proficient	A	
3.0	90	Proficient	A-	
2.75	85	Partially Proficient	B	
2.5	80	Partially Proficient	B-	
2.25	75	Partially Proficient	C	
2.0	72	Partially Proficient	C-	
1.75	68	Not Proficient	D+	
1.5	65	Not Proficient	D	
1.25	62	Not Proficient	D-	
1.0	60	Not Proficient	D-	
Below 1.0	50	Not Proficient	E	
Not Enough Evidence to report grade	0	Not Enough Evidence	NC 	

Course Schedule and Major Assessments:
   Weeks 1-4		Unit One	Sections (Stufe) 1-3		About Me 
			Culture Assessment				September 19, 2014
			Speaking & Listening Assessment		September 25, 2014
			Reading Assessment				September 26, 2014
			Writing Assessment				September 26, 2014
						
   Weeks 5-8		Unit Two  	Sections (Stufe) 1-3		Celebrations
			Culture Assessment				October 17, 2014
			Speaking & Listening Assessment		October 21, 2014
			Reading Assessment				October 22, 2014
			Writing Assessment				October 22, 2014

   Weeks 9-12	Unit Three  	Sections (Stufe) 1-3		Vacations
			Culture Assessment				November 14, 2014			
			Speaking & Listening Assessment		November 17, 2014
			Reading Assessment				November 18, 2014
			Writing Assessment				November 18, 2014

*I reserve the right to amend as needed.

Final Exam:
A final exam is a requirement of this course.  It will be composed of several forms of assessments.  It will be worth 20% of the final grade for the class.  

The exam date is  _______________________________________.

Portfolio:
You will be required to keep a portfolio for this course.  For the most part they will be kept in the classroom.  They will help keep you organized, keep important material for future courses, be a terrific tool to study from for exams, and document your progression and accomplishments in learning German.  They will also be graded.  An example is available for you to review by asking Frau Norton to see her sample portfolio.  A check list will also be provided at several intervals and by request, so you can assure your portfolio has all its required contents.

Hallway Passes:
Two passes will be issued per trimester for emergencies.  You should take care of your needs between classes.  If there is a circumstance that requires the use of more than two, please have your parent or guardian contact me, your counselor, or administration.  On occasion, you might have the opportunity to earn extra passes.  If you find yourself without a pass, I may choose to loan you a pass, but it must be repaid by spending fifteen minutes at a help lab to recover the time missed from instruction.
Behavior Expectations for Frau Norton’s Class
All policies in the Handbook are followed.  Additionally the classroom rules are listed below.  
Rules:
•	Be quiet while others are talking or working
What this is:					What this is NOT:

•	Keep your body under control	
What this is:					What this is NOT:

•	Use appropriate and kind language and actions
What this is:					What this is NOT:

•	Use the class time as allocated
What this is:					What this is NOT:

•	Keep the room clean
What this is:					What this is NOT:

Consequences:
•	Warning	
  – This means:

•	Action Plan	
  – This means:

•	Parent Contact
  – This means:     

•	Detention   
•	Administrative Involvement

Rewards:
•	Praise				*  Hallway pass
•	Prize				*  A note or phone call home
•	Ticket				*  Activity time
•	Homework pass

Policy on Electronic Devices:  
Today there are many great advances in technology that let us use our electronic devices as TOOLS.  Unfortunately, they also serve as TOYS and provide us great entertainment.  Tools are allowed, toys are not!  Striking the right balance and using them for an appropriate purpose demonstrates good judgment and responsible behavior.  Therefore under handbook policy, here is how to correctly use your device in this class:
First, you must ask and gain permission from me each time you wish to use your device.   I will ask for what educational purpose you have in mind.  This is also assuming it is done at an appropriate time.  For example; while I am giving instruction is not an appropriate time, however while you are working independently is.  If you do not gain permission - the standard policy of devices not being allowed is in effect.

Examples of appropriate uses of technology are:
•	online dictionaries such as leo.org 
•	flashcard apps such as quizlet
•	calendars and other organizational tools
•	note taking
•	reading (only after a test)
•	research from the internet for a specific task I have given you
Examples of inappropriate uses of technology are:
•	texting 
•	photos
•	playing games
•	social purposes (including but not limited to email, facebook, twitter, etc.)
•	listening to music
•	searching the internet because you are bored
Not adhering to these will result in the consequences listed on page 29 of the student/parent handbook:
   First offense:  Confiscation of device, student can pick up PED at the end of the class period, teacher will document offense in Skyward.

    Second offense:  Confiscation of device, student can pick up PED from the teacher at the end of the day, detention may be issued by teacher, and teacher will document offense in Skyward.  

*Please note:  I am at the middle school at the end of the day.  You will have to pick up your PED in the main office at the end of the day.

    Additional offenses:  Confiscation of device, parent can pick up PED in the main office at the end of the school day, teacher will document offense in Skyward, and progressive disciplinary action including detention, Saturday Morning Detention, or suspension will be determined by the administration.

Please review this entire syllabus and sign below.  By signing you acknowledge that you have read and understand this syllabus.  If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Frau Norton immediately.  It also acknowledges that you will abide by these guidelines.  Please keep it handy and refer to the items in it often.

   print your name						sign your name       		date

   parent printed name					parent signature       		date