Mason High School Nick Combes TE 407

Atmosphere in the School Very friendly and welcoming environment Very friendly and welcoming environment Artwork of students displayed in entry way (paintings, sculptures, pottery) Artwork of students displayed in entry way (paintings, sculptures, pottery) Display cases through out school Display cases through out school Lots of posters hung up around the school Lots of posters hung up around the school Above classrooms there are windows into hallway, where teachers hang flags, posters, or work of students. Above classrooms there are windows into hallway, where teachers hang flags, posters, or work of students.

Cafe The school has a café located in the media center, totally run by special needs students. Students can by coffee, cappuccino, and pastries. The school has a café located in the media center, totally run by special needs students. Students can by coffee, cappuccino, and pastries. On Tuesdays, the special needs students come around to each classroom with a cart, offering a variety of foods and beverages. On Tuesdays, the special needs students come around to each classroom with a cart, offering a variety of foods and beverages. This system is a great way for special needs students to feel involved and appreciated. It also allows them to do something hands-on, while teaching them the fundamentals of running a business (customer service, handling money, etc.) This system is a great way for special needs students to feel involved and appreciated. It also allows them to do something hands-on, while teaching them the fundamentals of running a business (customer service, handling money, etc.)

School Counselors I talked with a few different students, and found out that students at Mason are not required to see their counselor. I talked with a few different students, and found out that students at Mason are not required to see their counselor. Students periodically make a 4 year plan to ensure they are on track. Students periodically make a 4 year plan to ensure they are on track. Students sign up for classes online, and are able to pick their hours. Students sign up for classes online, and are able to pick their hours.

Supportive Staff The Mason school district’s counselors and staff are VERY supportive of the world language department. The Mason school district’s counselors and staff are VERY supportive of the world language department. There are programs in the elementary schools offering Spanish. There are programs in the elementary schools offering Spanish. 7 th grade- FLEX program that is 9 weeks total- 3 weeks German, 3 weeks Spanish, and 3 weeks French. 7 th grade- FLEX program that is 9 weeks total- 3 weeks German, 3 weeks Spanish, and 3 weeks French. 8 th grade- First year students can choose one language and take it for the whole year (Spanish, French, and German) 8 th grade- First year students can choose one language and take it for the whole year (Spanish, French, and German) High School- French, Spanish, and German are offered. Students must take 2 years of one language, and can count their year taken in middle school. High School- French, Spanish, and German are offered. Students must take 2 years of one language, and can count their year taken in middle school.

Demographics Total Number of Students: 1010 Total Number of Students: th students; 10 th -270 students; 11 th students; 12 th students 9 th students; 10 th -270 students; 11 th students; 12 th students Average Class Size: 26 Average Class Size: 26 Professional Staff: 63 Professional Staff: 63 School is predominantly white School is predominantly white There is an Albanian population in Mason, bringing in a few Albanian students There is an Albanian population in Mason, bringing in a few Albanian students Lots of economic diversity; students from both high and low class families. Lots of economic diversity; students from both high and low class families. Mentor teacher mentioned many students from low income families try very hard to cover this up Mentor teacher mentioned many students from low income families try very hard to cover this up Class of 2009: 91.5% enrolled in postsecondary program (50% 4 year university, 39% 2 year college, and 2% vocational, business, or technical school); 3% are in the military; 6% are employed or other Class of 2009: 91.5% enrolled in postsecondary program (50% 4 year university, 39% 2 year college, and 2% vocational, business, or technical school); 3% are in the military; 6% are employed or other

Monica Norton: German Teacher German is her passion German is her passion Attended Eastern Michigan University Attended Eastern Michigan University She taught for 4.5 years in inter-city Flint, then took a break for 6 years before getting a job at Mason High School. She taught for 4.5 years in inter-city Flint, then took a break for 6 years before getting a job at Mason High School. She loves Mason because it is very similar to her hometown. She loves Mason because it is very similar to her hometown. Traveled to Germany in college. She has not been back for a long time. Traveled to Germany in college. She has not been back for a long time. Frau Norton creates a very communicative classroom. She does not just teach grammar and give out worksheets, but allows her students to engage in fun activities where they interact with their peers. Frau Norton creates a very communicative classroom. She does not just teach grammar and give out worksheets, but allows her students to engage in fun activities where they interact with their peers.

Monica Norton continued…. Frau Norton does not teach the same way she was taught. Her German teacher assigned dictations and focused heavily on translations. She did not like this style of teaching at all, and wants her class to be interactive and fun. Frau Norton does not teach the same way she was taught. Her German teacher assigned dictations and focused heavily on translations. She did not like this style of teaching at all, and wants her class to be interactive and fun. It is clear that her students really appreciate her teaching style. They enjoy her class and have a good time. Many of the students I talked to said that German is very important to them, and that they chose it over other great classes offered at the same time. It is clear that her students really appreciate her teaching style. They enjoy her class and have a good time. Many of the students I talked to said that German is very important to them, and that they chose it over other great classes offered at the same time. Frau Norton did mention that she recognizes that she should be speaking more German in the classroom and encouraging more students to do so. Much of the class time is conducted in English, and she said it has been easy for her to get into this habit. Frau Norton did mention that she recognizes that she should be speaking more German in the classroom and encouraging more students to do so. Much of the class time is conducted in English, and she said it has been easy for her to get into this habit.

Frau Norton’s Classroom Frau Norton’s classroom is truly a “cultural island.” Frau Norton’s classroom is truly a “cultural island.” The flags of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein are all displayed The flags of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein are all displayed There are posters explaining certain grammar points (adjective endings, question words, etc.) There are posters explaining certain grammar points (adjective endings, question words, etc.) Posters with pictures of the Swiss Alps and other sights throughout German speaking countries. Posters with pictures of the Swiss Alps and other sights throughout German speaking countries. Student work is displayed through out the classroom Student work is displayed through out the classroom The desks are arranged in columns facing the front of the room; however, desks are often moved when students do group work. The desks are arranged in columns facing the front of the room; however, desks are often moved when students do group work.