German Language Lessons

I did these German language lessons annually for a 6^th Grade class.  The teacher was a Spanish teacher, but the 6th graders had a week long introduction to other languages such as French, German, Japanese and Chinese.

Objective:   to practice being polite by saying please and thank you when offered "food" (pictures of food.)   To practice food vocabulary.

Introduction:  
I would spend 5 minutes or so introducing myself and teaching them how to be polite to me and to each other.

On the board I would write:  Frau Carlson, sei hoeflich, ja danke, nein danke, bitte, Ciao, Tschuess,

My name is Frau Carlson,    Carlson means "son of Carl"      My maiden name was Frau Bauer, Bauer= farmer, builder     Names have meanings.

My only rule is "Sei hoeflich"    Can you guess what hoeflich means?  German uses a lot of compound words to make words or words like this one that adds an "ly."  hof = courtyard, lich = ly. Courtly is an old word meaning polite.  Here are other words you will need to know and say during this lesson:

                                    Ja, Danke 

                                    Nein  Danke

                                    Bitte, Ciao, Tschuess,Wiedersehen

Review these words on the board before going on.

When learning a language don't be afraid to make mistakes.  

Practicing a foreign language is like practicing a musical instrument.

1. Intro to foods   Show the food, photo of food, etc. and have the students repeat after you.  Brot, Kuchen, Plaetzen, Schololade, Sprudel, Mineralwasser, Kaffee, Kuchen, usw
2. Guided Practice   offer the food to several students by saying:   "Brot?"  They answer:  Brot, ja, danke or brot, nein danke.                    
3. I print out 15 things to offer.  Then switch and have them offer to me and to each other.  Give out photos of the food having them trade back and forth. Getting up out of their seats to do this. 
4. Independent Practice