An extraordinary name for an extraordinary book, P.A.U.L. D. is a textbook for the subject German at grammar schools in lower secondary education. It covers all learning areas of the subject and goes beyond them in the area of method training. The requirements of LehrplanPLUS are consistently implemented in P.A.U.L. D.

The fundamental principle of the book’s structure is its spiral curriculum design: the student volumes are designed as a whole so that certain curriculum elements are repeatedly addressed and expanded, enabling learners by the end of lower secondary education to possess comprehensive subject knowledge combined with key competencies that allow them to work successfully in upper secondary education.

Competency orientation – learning how to learn

Methods of learning, retaining, and recalling – preparing for a class test effectively – dealing with (pragmatic) texts – creating a presentation/speech – drawing a structural outline/creating a mind map – possibilities for interdisciplinary learning – initiation and promotion of individual learning processes and approaches.

Reading – handling texts

Orientation on text types (e.g., fairy tales, legends, ballads) and thematic focuses (e.g., friendship, generational conflicts) – preparation of texts through work impulses that serve two functions: they reflect the possible working process during the lesson and thus facilitate preparation, and they are designed so that learners can also independently access the entire text or work on selected aspects – balanced and functional distribution of analytical and production-oriented work impulses – method-guided handling of pragmatic and literary texts – promotion of reading techniques.

Speaking and listening

Recognizing and using different speaking intentions – oral storytelling and reporting – storytelling for an audience – speech training – a theater-oriented unit in every volume, from playing to analysis – vivid recitation of poems – audio texts on the accompanying CD.

Writing

Systematic planning, writing, and reviewing of different text formats – creative writing – and correct writing. An extensive method unit for learning spelling strategies – systematic development of selected spelling problems – comprehensive material for individual practice.

Language use and language examination and reflection

A very systematic, yet based on the principles of discovery learning, exploration of significant grammatical phenomena in specially designated units – linking language teaching with other task areas of the German subject in the sense of an integrative approach – a high proportion of exercises also in these units.

This is also P.A.U.L. D. The dual structure of the table of contents illustrates the interconnection of topics, methods, and competencies. Each unit begins with an introductory double page that, in the sense of learning transparency, provides an outlook on the main focus of the work and shows possibilities for presenting what has been learned.

The work impulses gradually develop – from simple to complex – initially the basic knowledge and address the different learner types in a differentiated manner. They take into account the respective learning pace as well as the individual motivations and abilities of the students. The task format "This is how you can continue working," which is repeatedly integrated into the learning processes, also serves internal differentiation. Additional differentiation and practice materials.