Was ist ein AMD?

"[This was] an awesome assignment. As I found out, I can basically do anything fun that I want, as long as I do it in German!" [Quote from an end-of-term evaluation form]

Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) means adventures with German. This  assignment is designed to let you explore German outside of the book and the curriculum, based on your interests! You should spend 45-55 minutes on the activity itself, and 5-15 minutes posting about it on the blog (about an hour total). When you post, add the "label" for the assignment (ex: AMD1, AMD2, etc), and add your name as a "label," too. This is important so that your instructor can find all your assignments.

For example,

• Have lunch with another German-speaking friend and speak German the whole time. In your post, write down a few things you talked about.
• Read Harry Potter (or anything!) in German for 45 mins and then write about it. List a few new words or expressions you learned.
  
• Find a chat or email partner and write/chat to/with them in German. Post your favorite part of the conversation.
• Watch a German movie, maybe with a friend or date! (longer than 1 hr, but fun!)
• Click here for many more examples, including watching South Park in German, baking a German recipe, or singing along to German music!

As for the language of the post, just use as much German as you can, and fill in the rest with English. Don't worry about mistakes!!

• If you are in 101, your first posts will be mostly in English. Just stick in German words and expressions where you can, however funny it sounds. Gradually you will be able to use more German. 
• If you are in 102, your posts should be mostly in German, but it's fine if you stick in the occasional English word or phrase to save time.
• If you are in 221/231, your posts should be in German, but the occasional English word is still OK: AMDs are informal writing.
• At all levels, some more English can be OK if you're expressing complex ideas.

The blog helps to give other students ideas. So if you can, post an image, a video, or links to help make this happen!  Another main goal is to practice and use your German--so try to post a few new words or expressions you learned.

• If you post on a film, please add a link to the trailer!
  Give the film a star rating so other students can see whether you liked it.
• If you listen to music, please post a music video if possible. Google the lyrics, listen to the song a few times and try singing along.
  Also, list a few of the song lyrics you understood and/or liked!
• Add links and images when you can to make it more interesting!
• If you do get ideas from another student, you should thank them in your post ("Danke für den Tipp, Sarah!!"). Your instructor will be happy if you build on each other's ideas!
• If you get images or quotes from another website, make sure you cite your source! Posting a hyperlink is the easiest way to do this.

Here is a sample post for a student reading Harry Potter. You could do this every time, and just read farther in the novel, or change it up each time!