So, in an effort to get the kids comfortable with the language, stick with my required curriculum, yet still incorporate some kind of aim towards proficiency, I decided to require my students to complete a writing assignment every six weeks.
EVERY SIX WEEKS?! Yes, I am insane. It's okay, I accept it. (It's really not that bad).
We've done the 1st two writing assignments, and I absolutely LOVE doing it because it shows the students that they KNOW and have LEARNED more than they think, and they are able to prove it. However, the unfortunate downside of this awesomeness going on in my classroom is that they are speaking way less than I would like. They are preparing frequently for these writing tests by making sentences, completing bell work, and worksheets, all involving pen to paper and not person-to-person interaction.
Although we have done conversation activities like this one,
So, because I am trying to be the type of teacher who watches, evaluates, and changes based on what she sees, I am going to incorporate different types of End-of-Six-Weeks Assignments, such as skits, conversations performed in front of the class, videos, etc. I want to see my students' creativity run wild, and I want them to feel comfortable and at ease with Spanish, which both can be accomplished through the everyday task of SPEAKING in SPANISH! But in order to prepare them for this kind of assessment, I need more interpersonal interaction for them on a daily basis.
My answer? Conversation Cards.
I know I've talked before on this blog about the imperfect/preterite conversation cards that I utilized in my Spanish 3 classroom. I also have basic Spanish 1 conversation cards that have more basic-level Spanish questions that Spanish 1 students should know. I will have you know that I am in the midst of creating these cards FOR EVERY NEW VERB that we use.
This is what will push them to be better so that completing an End-of-Six-Weeks Speaking project will be a breeze for them.
Hmmm......maybe.....;)
I'll update you guys on their progress!