GERMAN DAY 2020 RULES
1. Spelling Bee
Open to students in German 1 and 2 only
- No heritage speakers
- Up to 5 students per school.
The words to be used have been selected from the current editions of Deutsch aktuell 1 and 2 and Komm mit! 1 and 2, and are listed in the pdf file below. The words have been divided into three levels of difficulty. Any words in the vocabulary lists of these textbooks may be used.
Download the list of words here
- Spelling Bee is played over three rounds, corresponding to the three levels of difficulty. The first (and easiest) round will be written. All participants will write down words read out by the judges. Judges will alternate, so students hear different speakers.
- All students having fewer than five mistakes will be allowed to continue to the second round. The judge will draw a word from a “round 2 hat” and pronounce it in German two times. The contestant will repeat the word, and spell it using GERMAN spelling and pronunciation (this is a change from the past), and say the word again. The difference between a spoken “e” and ” ä” may be signified visually with the fingers. Students should say “ess-zett” to signify ” ß.” Once a word has been spelled and repeated, no corrections may be made. Any mistakes, including pronunciation mistakes, eliminate the candidate. Once a word has been missed, it will be passed to the next candidate. If it is missed three times in a row, the word will be relegated to the “round 3 hat.” Students need not signify upper or lower case spelling for nouns and other words.
- Once all students have had a chance to do a “round 2 word,” the remaining students will proceed to round 3. During this last round a word will be passed on until spelled correctly. (Only after no one gets it right will a new word be drawn). When the number of students is reduced to two, the elimination procedure changes. At that point, when Student A misses a word, Student B will be given an opportunity to spell the same word. If Student B spells that word correctly, plus the next word from the hat, then Student B will be declared the champion. If Student A misses a word and Student B, after correcting the error, misses the new word, then the missed new word shall be referred to Student A. If Student A then succeeds in correcting the error and gets the next verb right, then Student A will be declared the champion. If both students miss the same verb, both shall continue in the competition, and the one who first missed the word shall be given a new one. This procedure continues until one of the students is able to correct the other student and spell the next word correctly. That student will be declared the champion.
2. Verb Bee
- Open to students in German 3, 4, and above.
- Up to 5 students per school.
The verbs to be used have been selected from the current editions of Deutsch aktuell and Komm mit! and are listed in the pdf file below. The verbs have been divided into three levels of difficulty. Each level includes regular (weak) verbs, irregular (strong) verbs, and irregular weak verbs.
Download the list of verbs here (pdf; same as in past years).
- Verb Bee is played over three rounds, corresponding to the three levels of difficulty. The first (and easiest) round will be written. All participants will fill in the remaining forms on a chart with the headings of English infinitive, German infinitive, third person singular for present, simple past, and present perfect tense. An abbreviated example might look like this.
- All students having fewer than five mistakes will be allowed to continue to the second round. The judge will draw a verb from a “round 2 hat” and pronounce it in German one time. The contestant will repeat the word, give the three principal parts in the third person singular (present, simple past, present perfect) followed by the infinitive in English. Once a verb form has been spoken, no corrections may be made. Any mistakes, incl. pronunciation mistakes (e.g., a missing Umlaut), eliminate the candidate. Once a verb has been missed, it will be passed to the next candidate. If it is missed three times in a row, the verb will be relegated to the “round 3 hat.”
- Once all students have had a chance to do a “round 2 verb,” the remaining students will proceed to round 3. During this last round a verb will be passed on until conjugated correctly. (Only after no one gets it right will a new verb be drawn). When the number of students is reduced to two, the elimination procedure changes (see Spelling Bee). At that point, when Student A misses a verb, Student B will be given an opportunity to conjugate the same verb. If Student B does that verb correctly, plus the next verb from the hat, then Student B will be declared the champion. If Student A misses a verb and Student B, after correcting the error, misses the new verb, then the missed new verb shall be referred to Student A. If Student A then succeeds in correcting the error and gets the next verb right, then Student A will be declared the champion. If both students miss the same verb, both shall continue in the competition, and the one who first missed the verb shall be given a new one. This procedure continues until one of the students is able to correct the other student and conjugate the next verb correctly. That student will be declared the champion.
3. Poetry Recitation
- Levels I, II, III, and H (separate section for heritage learners).
- Up to 8 students (2 in each level) per school.
- Note: Students compete on the level of German they are signed up for in school, no matter for how long they have actually been instructed on that level. Sorry, no extra consideration for those on block schedule can be made!
- All contestants in Levels I, II, and III have to recite the poem chosen for their level.
- Level I is for beginning students (German 1), Level II for intermediate students (German 2), and Level III for advanced students (German 3 and above). Level H is for heritage speakers (see below).
- The poem has to be delivered entirely from memory without use of script or prompter.
- The performance is being judged in four areas: memorization, pronunciation, fluency, and interpretation. Gesture is optional. Pronunciation most similar to a native German speaker is of importance. No special visuals or clothing are allowed to enhance the poem.
- Five minutes are allotted for each individual presentation and judging. The judge’s decision is final.
Level H: Heritage Speakers
- “Heritage learners” are native speakers, students who speak German at home, or students who have been to full-time German school, in Europe or a Deutsche Schule elsewhere.
- All contestants write a poem inspired by the current year’s topic and including the current slogan. A rap is a form of a poem.
- The poem should be between 8 and 20 lines (stanzas optional).
- The contestants provide their work typed including name and school to the judges and also present it orally, memorized, as above.
- The entries are judged according to the effectiveness of the delivery, the interesting content, correct grammar, good pronunciation, and fluency.
2020 German Day Poems Published here
4. Extemporaneous Speaking Contest
- Levels I, II, and H (separate section for heritage learners).
- Up to 6 students (2 in each level) per school.
Level I is for students in German 1 and 2; Level II is for students in German 3 or higher; Level H is for heritage learners. Heritage learners are native speakers, students who speak German at home, or students who have been to full-time German school, in Europe or a Deutsche Schule elsewhere.
Level I. Students will draw one of 7 topic cards lying face down on the judges’ table. They have 30 seconds to collect their thoughts before addressing the topic for one minute. No dictionary or outside help is permitted. Topics are Familie und Freunde, Haus/Wohnung und Wohnort, Schulleben, Sport und Freizeit, Essen, Kleidung und Wetter, Hausarbeiten.
Level II. Students will draw one of 7 topic cards lying face down on the judges’ table. They have 1 minute to prepare. No dictionary or outside help is permitted. Students may write and use brief notes. Then they will address the topic for 90 seconds. Topics are Ferien und Reisen, Gesundheit und Krankheit, Berufe und zukünftiges Leben, Wegbeschreibung, Tiere, einkaufen gehen, Feste und Feiertage. Students may be expected to use conversational past, future, and some subjunctive II.
Level H. Students will draw one of 5 topic cards lying face down on the judges’ table. They have 30 seconds to collect their thoughts before addressing the topic for 2 minutes. No dictionary or outside help is permitted. The general topics for levels I and II are put into a social, political or cross-cultural context. Students are expected to express higher level thinking.
Criteria for Judging (0-5 points in each category)
- Clarity and fluency
- Grammatical accuracy
- Range of vocabulary and idiom
- Creativity and liveliness
- Erzähle, wo du wohnst (Bundestaat, Stadt, Straße) und wie dein Haus und dein Zimmer aussehen.
- Erzähle etwas über deine Familie und deine Freunde (Personen, Name, Alter, Aussehen, Hobbies).
Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit (Hobbies, Interessen, Spiel, Sport und Spaß)?
- Erzähle etwas über dein Schulleben (Stundenplan, Fächer, Lehrer, Noten).
- Was isst und trinkst du gern? Wohin gehst du am liebsten essen und trinken und warum?
- Erzähle etwas über eine Arbeit, bei denen du zu Hause oder anderswo machst (Hausarbeit, Kirchenarbeit, Sozialarbeit)
- Was für Kleidung trägst du am liebsten im Sommer und im Winter, an Wochentagen und am Wochenende?
- Erzähle etwas über eine interessante Ferienreise, die du einmal gemacht hast (Fahrt oder Flug, Stadt, Übernachtung, Sehenswürdigkeiten, Besuche, Tätigkeiten). [Conversational Past]
- Was ist wichtig, um gesund zu bleiben? Was tust du, um gesund zu leben? Warst du schon einmal krank oder verletzt? [Reflexive Verbs]
- Erzähle etwas über deinen Traumberuf, dein Traumhaus und deine Traumfamilie. [Subjunctive II if possible]
- Beschreibe, wie du von deinem Haus zu deiner Schule kommst. [Some Imperative]
- Erzähle etwas über Tiere und deine Beziehung zu ihnen. (Haustiere, wilde Tiere)
- Stelle dir vor, du hättest viel Geld und könntest alles kaufen, was du wolltest. Was und wo würdest du einkaufen?
- Erzähle etwas über Feste und Feiertage, die du sehr gerne hast und erkläre, warum dir diese Tage gefallen.
- Erzähle, wo du wohnst und warum es dir da gefällt oder nicht gefällt.
- Erzähle, was dich am meisten interessiert und warum. Wie stellst du dir deine Zukunft vor?
- Wenn du die Wahl und das Geld hättest, wo, wie und mit wem würdest du leben und warum?
- Sprich über einige Vorteile und Nachteile, die man hat, wenn man eine zwei- oder sogar mehrsprachige Person ist.
- Wenn du eine einflussreiche Person wärest, was würdest du an unserer globalen Gesellschaft zu verändern versuchen und warum?
Since exhibition space is limited at German Day, teachers are encouraged to have a German Club/class vote from all Art/Design entries that can be posted in-school as advertisement for the German program and German Day.
1. Poster Contest
- Up to 3 finalist entries per school.
Students design posters to the German Day theme. Students should bring their poster submissions to German Day, where they will be on display in a designated area. All participating teachers and judges cast 3 votes: 3 points for first place, 2 points for second, 1 point for third. First, second, and third place winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.
2. Art Contests
- Up to 6 entries (3 in each category) per school.
All entries must address this year’s German Day theme.
- 2-D Art
Any media can be used: painting, drawing, pen and ink, pencil, pastel, etc.
Maximum dimensions are 30 inches x 30 inches.
The piece must have a title.
A card with the title, artist’s name, school, and teacher must be attached to the front of the entry.
One division, encompassing both black/white and color.
The photograph must be mounted on heavy stock or board.
Maximum size of the photograph is 30 inches x 30 inches.
The photograph must have a title.
A card with the title, photographer’s name, school, and teacher must be attached to the front of the entry.
3. T-Shirt Contest
- Up to 5 entries per school
- Deadline: February 9; include name of student, school and German teacher on back of design
Entries are a black-on-white line-drawing image for the front of the t-shirt. The design must reflect the German Day theme and include the words of the motto “Ode an die Freude, Ode an die Erde”. Entries should only have black ink in the drawing, lines should be thick and even, and intricate details usually cannot be reproduced. The back of the shirt will have the words “North Carolina German Day 2020,” so the design need not include those words.
Note: designs can be inspired by other sources (the internet, advertisements, clipart, etc.) but these sources must be just a part of the artist’s own creation, not the entire entry concept itself. Well-executed, hand-drawn designs will receive first consideration.
Deadline for submission is the NC-AATG Spring Meeting or email your entries prior to the host. The NCAATG membership will vote on the winning t-shirt design.
Students will be able to preview the winning logo on the NCAATG website. T-shirts bearing the chosen logo must be pre-ordered and pre-paid ($10; see the registration form) and will be distributed only at German Day.
The 2020 winner and runners up are as follows:
1st Place: Clara Lobsiger, Charlotte Catholic HS
2nd Place: Brittany Secraw, Northwest Guilford HS
3rd Place: Val Orozco Northwest Guilford HS and Elizabeth Sobel, Martin MS
The artist of the winning logo will be recognized at the awards ceremony. See winning designs of previous German Days here: 2017, 2018, 2019.
1. Skit Contest
- Levels I and II
- Up to 2 teams per school
- Awarded the most points for the Overall Award competition
- Level I is for beginners (German 1 & 2), Level II is for intermediate and advanced students (German 3+).
- Language of skit is German.
- Setup time: 3 minutes; Performance time: 1-5 minutes.
- There is no limit to participants within each skit as long as the setup and performance stays within the 8-minute time limit. The time keeper will signal the group to begin and call time at the end.
- Motto: “Ode an die Freude, Ode an die Erde” This phrase, or a version of it, must occur at least once in the skit.
- Judging criteria include: pronunciation and diction; memorization; expressiveness (verbal and non-verbal clues); originality and creativity of scene; plot and storyline.
Students may bring “portable” props including electronics and/or music, set up time will be 3 minutes, no exceptions. Heritage learners are welcome, preferably as a group, but they need to identify themselves and judges will take this into consideration for reasons of fairness.
2. Singing Contests: A cappella, Singing with live student acoustic accompaniment, Singing & Dancing
- Levels I and II
- Up to 6 performances per school, 2 in each category.
- 1st place prizes will be awarded in 3 categories: 1) a cappella, 2) singing with live student acoustic accompaniment 3) singing and dancing with recorded music
- Honorable mention will also be awarded
- Level I is for beginners (German 1 & 2). Level II is for intermediate and advanced students (German 3+).
- Presentation: An individual German song or a medley.
- Singing and dancing category performance may use props, costumes, and student accompaniment, but no sound systems. Must stay within setup and performance time limit.
- Setup time: 3 minutes; Performance time: 1-3 minutes.
- Group size: 1 – 20 participants.
- Judging criteria include: sound quality, musicality, clarity/diction, memory and smoothness, expressiveness, dramatic interpretation. Singing and dancing category also include originality/creativity and overall performance for costumes and dance routine.
- Actual judging criteria grid: 1 point (inadequate, poor), 2 points (average, acceptable), 3 points (good), 4 points (excellent).
- Levels I (Deutsch 1 & 2), II (Deutsch 3+), and Heritage
- Please note that there will be a separate (challenging!) competition for heritage speakers. There will be no teams; rather each student will compete as an individual.
- Level I is for German 1 and 2 students, Level II for advanced German students, the Heritage level is exclusively for heritage speakers.
- Each school may enter three teams per level, each consisting of three students, or in the case of heritage speakers, three individuals.
- All questions for Level I will be given in English and should be answered in English, unless otherwise directed. All questions for the other two levels will be in German and should be answered in German.
- The competitions for Levels I and II begin with a written qualifying round that includes all teams for that level. Fifteen questions will be given to each team on paper. Team members may consult with each other but not with any outside sources. They will have 8 minutes to write down their answers. The sheets will be collected and scored; illegible answers will be scored as incorrect.
- The top five teams in each level move on to a second, written round.
- In the second round, ten questions are supplied on paper, two of which are marked as challenge questions. The answer to a challenge question is worth two points, but an incorrect answer results in the loss of one point. A team may therefore elect not to try to answer a challenge question. All teams will have 7 minutes to answer the questions. Sheets will be collected and scored.
- The top three teams then play a final round. In this round, the teams answer orally, one after the other. The question may be repeated a second time upon request, but the team must then supply an answer within 30 seconds. The first team will be given a question; if the team supplies a correct answer, they receive one point; however, if they supply an incorrect answer, the second team is asked the same question. Likewise, if the second team also supplies an incorrect answer, the third team is asked that question. Once a question is answered correctly, the next team gets a new question. The first team to the highest score after twelve questions have been asked is the champion. If the score is tied, three more questions will be asked to determine the winner.
- Some possible source materials to guide teachers and students are forthcoming.
A Schnitzeljagd is a scavenger hunt. This activity will require students to explore the campus of Wake Forest University. It is an opportunity for students to become more familiar with the campus and its history. The scavenger hunt contest will award 3 winners, and is a German-language contest that will require students to put their reading skills to the test! Anyone can participate in the Schnitzeljagd; prior preparation is not required!
- Open to all students, all levels (I and II; III and IV; H)
- Entries must be pairs of students. Entries may not involve teams any smaller or larger than 2!
- No restrictions on the number of entries per school; signup at the Schnitzeljagd table.
- Each team receives a worksheet for their respective level as well as a campus map. Using clues on the worksheet, students must seek out locations on campus where they can collect information that answers questions related to that respective clue on the worksheet.
- The groups will be evaluated according to three criteria: 1) how fast they can return to the Schnitzeljagd point of departure; 2) whether worksheets are completed; and 3) how correct their answers are.
- Dictionaries or any other vocabulary resources are not allowed.