Is soccer just a sport?
An exploration of the cultural significance of soccer around the world
I introduce the unit to my German 2 students with this question. We briefly discuss the
question before I introduce the actual unit. This discussion is held in English. I explain that we
will spend the next week exploring this question. The class will be divided into teams and each
team will research a different aspect. At this point, I have the class divide into 8 teams of 4. I
allow students to select their own groups on major projects. Thus far, it has proven to increase
the percentage of projects completed. Next, I read through the topics and ask for volunteers
to select desired topics. I only allowed one group per topic. Explain to the class that they will
research the topic and then teach what they learned to the rest of the class. We talk about
what makes a good lesson and things that they should avoid 1. They then have 10 minutes to
brainstorm ideas for the presentation of the information and divide up the workload. I require
that they designate tasks for each person in the group. This information is listed on the rubric.
This helps if someone does not do his/her part. They lose the credit and not the whole team 2. I
do not care at all what form the presentation takes, so long as it is creative. We are on the
block, so we have 85-minute blocks to devote to this project. I devote half of the block to
lab/library time for group research and half of the block to the Goethe Institute Photo
Exhibition. I am including the PowerPoint with this e-mail. It has the 12 photos, which are the
focus of the lessons from the GI for the photos. The site has the remainder of the photos (50
in all), which can be downloaded and added to the presentation. I found that these 12 were
enough. In addition, the 12 include detailed lesson plans in PDF format, which can also be
downloaded (google: Goethe Institute soccer photo tour and it should be the first link listed).
Students volunteer statements, questions and create stories in German about the pictures. I
was in awe of the complex ideas that they came up with regarding the pictures. They needed
help with some words, but they were able to say lot about the pictures. The discussion always
came back to the initial question, is soccer just a sport. After 5 days of research/prep time,
the students do their presentations. After the presentations, I ask students to fill in an A, B, C
graphic organizer based on what they learned (basically you think of things that start with each
letter of the alphabet regarding what you learned. For example, for F you would write Fußball,
Fans. For D you might write Deutschland etc.) I also required that each person write 150 words
in English about what they learned from the project. If they chose to write it in German, I only
required 50 words. This essay does not need to be a summary of the research, but a summary
of the work they did on the project. What did they learn about the topic that they might not
have known before starting? What did they learn about working with a group, etc?
1
One thing I will add here is to remind students not to read off of their notes. In a few of the groups this time, we watched
students read directly off their note cards.
2
On a side note, I let groups vote someone off the team. However, the whole team loses 10% of their grade. So hopefully this
encourages teams to choose teams wisely and to work out issues before resorting to this last action.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
Werder Bremen
The History of Soccer
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. Who invented soccer?
2. What is soccer?
3. Where was soccer started?
4. When was it started?
5. Why was it started?
6. How was it started?
7. Where does Germany fit into the big picture of soccer’s history?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
Hamburger SV
Top 10 Soccer Players Overall (don’t have to be German)
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. Who are the top 10 Soccer Players overall?
2. Where do they come from?
3. What teams do they/did they play for?
4. When did they play?
5. How did they influence the game of soccer?
6. What are they famous for?
7. Can you plot the players on a map of the world?
8. Where does Germany fit into the big picture of soccer’s historical players?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
FC Schalke 04
Top 10 German Soccer Players (currently)
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. Who are the top-10 German Soccer Players currently?
2. Where do they come from?
3. What teams do they/did they play for?
4. How have they influenced the game of soccer?
5. What are they famous for?
6. Can you plot the players on a map of Germany?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
Hertha BSC Berlin
The History of the World Cup
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. What is the World Cup?
2. When was the World Cup started?
3. Where was the World Cup started?
4. Why was it started?
5. How was it started?
6. Where does Germany fit into the big picture of the World Cup’s history?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
Hannover 96
The World Cup
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. When will the next World Cup take place?
2. Where will the next World Cup take place? Countries/cities?
3. What are the logistics surrounding the World Cup?
4. Who will play in the World Cup?
5. What is the significance of the World Cup?
6. Where does Germany fit into the big picture of the World Cup?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
1. FC Köln
Soccer Mania and the German Soccer Fans
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. Who are German soccer fans?
2. Is there a typical German soccer fan?
3. Do German soccer teams usually show allegiance to only one team?
4. How do German soccer fans support their team?
5. Where do you see German soccer fans?
6. How does the German soccer fan exemplify the idea that soccer is a way of life in Germany?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
FC Bayern München
The Bundesliga and Famous German Soccer Cities
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. What is the Bundesliga?
2. Which teams comprise the Bundesliga?
3. What are the current standings in the Bundesliga?
4. When was it started?
5. Why was it started?
6. How was it started?
7. Where are the Bundesliga teams located? What is special about these cities?
8. Where does the Bundesliga fit into the big picture of soccer’s history?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.
Mannschaft:
Theme:
1. FC Kaiserlautern
The Nuts and Bolts of Soccer
Spieler
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Verantwortlichkeit
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Content 40 points
Does your presentation answer the following questions?
1. Who plays soccer?
2. What is soccer?
3. What are the rules of soccer?
4. What vocabulary is important to understanding the game of soccer?
5. What are the different positions on the field?
6. Are there differences between men’s and women’s soccer?
7. What has Germany’s influence been on the nuts and bolts of soccer?
How well are the questions answered? Is it obvious that you researched your topic and have a variety of sources to
support the story of your topic that you are teaching to the class?
Quality of Presentation 30 points
1. Does your presentation demonstrate your knowledge of your topic?
2. Is your presentation interesting? Would you enjoy sitting through your own presentation?
3. Does your presentation have visual aides?
4. If you are doing a PowerPoint, can you read your text from the back corner of my room?
5. If you are doing a PowerPoint, do your slides just contain highlights, from which you will speak?
6. Is your presentation creative? Remember we are learning the story of soccer and your presentation is one
chapter in a very large book. Make it interesting. Make us remember your presentation over all the others!
Sources 10 points
Research means that you will consult a variety of sources to verify any information that is not common knowledge.
Please provide a list of your resources, so that I might go back and check your work.
Overall 20 points
This is a group project, which means that the entire group must collaborate to complete the project.
1. How well did you work together to complete the project?
2. Did everyone complete the work for which they were responsible?
3. Did you turn this rubric in before doing your presentation?
4. Did you meet with Frau Hahn to discuss your presentation?
5. Did each member of the team turn in a typed 150-word explanation (in English) of what they gained from
his/her research.