Die Grundschule Topics Overview school system The classroom

Die Grundschule

Topics ØOverview: school system ØThe classroom situation Ø A typical school day Ø Subjects Ø Teaching style / differentiation Ø Assessment ØThe role of parents ØHomework ØOutside the classroom activities and events

Overview: school system 0/3 - 5 years: Kindergarten (voluntary, fees) 6 - 10 years: Grundschule (Klasse 1 – 4) 11 – 16 / 18 y. : Weiterführende Schule(Kl. 5 -10 /12) Ø Hauptschule (Kl. 5 -10): HA, (FOR) Ø Realschule (Kl. 5 – 10): FOR Ø Gymnasium (Kl. 5 -12): Abitur Ø Gesamtschule (Kl. 5 – 12): HA, FOR, Abitur Ø Sekundarschule (Kl. 5 – 10): HA, FOR (10 school years are compulsory)

The classroom situation • One homeroom teacher, no assistant (warm, close relationship, „du“, physical contact) • Specials: PE, swimming, English, R. E. , music • Max. 30 students per class (mostly 23 – 26) • Blackboards • Classroom decorations

A typical school day • • • Start: 7: 45 – 8: 00 4 – 6 45 minute lessons a day, 2 breaks Finish: 12: 30 – 13: 30 OGATA: Offener Ganztag (until up to 16: 00) Ø Option to stay at school Ø No regular classes / teachers Ø Different activities are offered: lunch, homework supervision, sports, music, cooking …

Subjects (lessons per week) Klasse 1 (21 -22 ) German Maths Science Förderunterricht Klasse 2 (22 – 23 ) Klasse 3 (25 – 26 ) Klasse 4 (26 – 27 ) 15 - 16 12 12 14 - 15 3 -4 4 4 2 (2 nd semester) 2 2 2 R. E. 2 2 P. E. / swimming 3 3 Art, Music English

A timetable from Klasse 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesd. Thursday Friday 8: 00 – 8: 45 German Maths PE 8: 45 -9: 30 Swimming Maths German PE 9: 30 -9: 50 Break Break 9: 50 -10: 35 Maths Science Art Music Maths 10: 3511: 20 R. E. Art English Science German 11: 2011: 40 Break Break 12: 0512: 50 (AG: flute) (AG: singing) English Förderunterricht 12: 5013: 35

Teaching style / differentiation • Sitting circle on the carpet • Cooperative learning : table groups • Movement if possible • 1 -3 computers in the classroom • Differentiation: Ø Freiarbeit ( worksheets for independent learning) Ø Förderunterricht (special support)

Assessment Klasse 1: ØQuizzes and tests are not graded, positive feedback ØOne report card at the end of the year: comment on work habit and performance in the different subjects

Assessment Klassen 2 – 4: ØQuizzes and tests are graded: 1: sehr gut 2: gut 3: befriedigend 4: ausreichend 5: mangelhaft 6: ungenügend Ø Two report cards per year : grades and comments Ø Versetzung / „Sitzen bleiben“

Assessment End of Klasse 4 Ø Grades determine which type of secondary school student will go to Ø Teachers advise, parents decide, schools accept or reject (Cooperation between Grundschule and Weiterführende Schulen)

The role of the parents • Don´t accompany children into the classroom • Make an appointment if you want to talk to the teacher • Support is wanted (check homework) • Voluntary work is possible (e. g. : Lesemutter) • Three parent – teacher conferences a year Ø Klassenpflegschaftssitzung Ø Elternsprechtag 1 Ø Elternsprechtag 2

Homework • Practice of what has been learnt at school • Klasse 1 – 2: 30 minutes • Klasse 3 – 4: 60 minutes • Problem: weak students, „ambitious parents“

Outside the classroom activities and events • Sports day (Sportabzeichen) • Cycling instructions / bike check by local police • Swimming events: Schwimmabzeichen • Circus Week • School trips: daily excursions, in Klasse 3 / 4 they go on an extended trip (3 – 5 days) • School festivals (Karneval, Christmas market…)

Time for discussion Questions ? Comments?