Grade 10 Understanding Culture and Society

It is expected that students will:

• compare Canadian customs and traditions with those of German-speaking cultures
• identify cultural content in German-language resources

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Understanding Culture and Society in other grades click on an icon below.

Students at this level are interested in social interactions. As their facility with German increases, they are able to present reports on cultural topics that interest them and to interact socially using appropriate language and conduct.

• Suggest that students in small groups research the cuisine of a German-language region and prepare one-page reports to present to the class, including recipes for a class cookbook. Students could then use recipes in German to prepare dishes to share with the class.
• Divide the class into groups and ask each group to learn a game played by people in a German-speaking country. Then reorganize the class into several smaller groups, each containing students from the original groups. Have students teach one another the games, using common key phrases such as Du bist dran (It's your turn), Ich habe gewonnen (I won).
• Have students compare and contrast lifestyles in German-speaking countries and Canada. Topics for examination might include urban versus rural settings, transportation, vacations, working life, shopping, and leisure activities.
• Ask students to browse the Internet or use youth magazines to determine which leisure activities appeal to young people in German-speaking countries. Have students make posters based on their findings, illustrating a typical week in the life of a German-speaking youth.
• Invite students to compare and contrast elements of folk tales from German-speaking countries with those of the First Nations (e.g., similarities between the witch in "Hänsel und Gretel" and the First Nations character Tsonaqua). Have students in small groups use a variety of resources in their research and present their findings in formats of their choice (e.g., puppet plays, posters, skits).

Students should have opportunities to demonstrate their growing cultural understanding in a variety of activities and situations. While some of these may focus specifically on culture, most will integrate the outcomes from this organizer with those for communicating, acquiring information, and experiencing creative works.

• When students provide recipes for a class cookbook, develop criteria they can use to assess their own work and provide feedback to classmates. For example:
• provides clear and concise directions
• contains instructions that can be followed successfully to produce the dish
• shows evidence of careful research (e.g., the dish is unusual or specific to the region)
• is accompanied by a statement that provides accurate information about the cultural background of the recipe and that makes connections with dishes from Canadian cultures
• Work with students to develop criteria such as the following for teaching games to other students:
• gives directions and explanations in German
• makes rules and instructions clear, using props and visuals to clarify
• explains the cultural importance of the game
• makes connections with other, more familiar activities and games
• When students develop cultural comparisons, look for evidence that they:
• respect and value diversity
• are interested in cultures other than their own
• recognize similarities and differences
• go beyond surface features to deal with subtle and complex aspects of culture
• avoid stereotyping or overgeneralizing
• Provide prompts such as the following to encourage student reflection:
• Three features that seem common to many cultures are _____________ .
• Something that often varies among different cultures is _____________ .
• Two views I have that are strongly influenced by my culture are ____________ .

Print Materials

• Active German
• Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland
• German For Leisure and Tourism Studies
• Lies Doch Mal!
• Pack's An

• Germany: Past and Present
• The New Germany: Coming Out

• Deutsch Aktuell (Levels 1-2)
• Deutsch Heute Neue 1, 2, 3 (Neue Ausgabe)
• Gute Reise!
• Heute Hier, Morgen Dort - Lieder, Chansons und Rockmusik im Deutsch-Unterricht
• Lernexpress
• Neue Welle Deutschland

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