Practise tenses: Thinking Quilt

tense_practice_thinking_quilt.pdf | |
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Thanks to Dannielle @morganmfl for the Thinking Quilt idea which she shares in her book. Here is a German version I put together. (This version doesn't have my bitmoji on - if you want an editable version just get in touch :))
Meine Lieblingssachen - Herz

lieblingssachen_heart_leo.pdf | |
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In a bid to get my students off the screen during lockdown, I made this' Lieblingssachenherz' (I'm sure that doesn't work auf Deutsch - haha!). A bit of mindful colouring but I also want them to annotate it with their favourite things in German. Thank you to @sonrieinspanish for letting me adapt their Spanish version.
Colours Braingym

braingym.pptx | |
File Size: | 7555 kb |
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Show the powerpoint. Students need to say the colour not the word. Really gets them thinking. This is a very quick example but you could make your own which lasts longer!
Schule - Blockbusters for A-Level

I like playing blockbusters with A-Level. I find younger students get confused by it and it takes too long but it works effectively with older students/smaller classes. Split the class into two and then students take it in turns to pick a letter. You give them the translation of the German word which begins with that letter (e.g 'G' - what is the German for comprehensive school?). If the student gets it right you can shade in that letter (or circle it). Have a different colour for each team. The aim of the game is to get across the board either vertically or horizontally. The other team can block so the other team may need to go around. Here is one I did for the topic of 'Schule' ready to go with the German words too. If you can think of any more words to add, please let me know!

blockbusters_-_schule.pptx | |
File Size: | 41 kb |
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GCSE Essential Phrases Sheet

I don't know where I got this from (maybe off TES years ago) but it
is my go-to worksheet for GCSE students to help them add a bit
more variety to their writing. If you know, please do tell so that I can credit their work.
Please find a copy here to download
(available in Spanish too).
is my go-to worksheet for GCSE students to help them add a bit
more variety to their writing. If you know, please do tell so that I can credit their work.
Please find a copy here to download
(available in Spanish too).

essential_phrase_sheet_-_gcse.pdf | |
File Size: | 472 kb |
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spanish_gcse_essential_phrases.pdf | |
File Size: | 375 kb |
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Mission Impossible.

With thanks to @pmourelle for the idea (as seen in the Teachings conference 2021), I have created a mission impossible activity to practise the three main German tenses. Students draw the table in their books and then watch as sentences in different tenses 'fall' down the screen. They are numbered so students have to decide whether that sentence is past, present or future and then write the number in the correct column. There is a sound file attached (Mission Impossible theme) but it is quite short so you have to keep replaying. You may be able to get a longer version! This powerpoint template is fully editable and you may wish to slow the animations down if students struggle to keep up!

mission_impossible.pptx | |
File Size: | 7136 kb |
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dict.leo.org

My favourite online German dictionary has to be dict.leo.org. I find it really colourful and user-friendly for students. We were encouraged to use it at uni nearly 20 years ago and I still use it today!
My Perfect Burger

To help students get their head around the Perfect Tense in German and the word order, I ask them to create their 'perfect burger.' Pronoun and auxiliary on top, filling in the middle (TMP) and past participle at the bottom. I remind students that if a bit is missing, their filling will fall out!
Ich bin Barbara

I recently came across the street artist 'Ich bin Barbara' aka the German Banksy! Barbara alters and adds to street signs and posters to express a political view or even for comic effect. I use her images at A Level for the Art and Architecture topic and it raises questions about 'Was ist eigentlich Kunst?'
Easy German

The Easy German videos on Youtube are brilliant! They are authentic videos filmed in different cities showing life in Germany and concentrating on different aspects of the language. They are easy to understand and entertaining!