Here’s an activity I assigned recently to be completed out of class.  I wanted to utilize the many stories I had created from past years that would otherwise go unused.  I chose and printed about 30 readings from my TPRS Readings Database.  I distributed them to each class.  No two students in any class had the same text.  I did my best to assign more difficult texts to stronger students and easier texts to those who struggle with reading.  I also gave them the following sheet to be completed:

Reading Homework 

The tasks are also listed below without space between for writing.  I do not typically assign writing to be completed outside of class.  In the future, I may have step #10 completed in class.  I plan to use this activity again.   Next time, I will assign authentic texts instead of my own stories.  I am excited about the potential of this type of reading activity.

Reading Homework #1

1. Read the entire story.  There may be parts you do not understand, but do not stop.  Read the entire story to try to get a basic understanding.  Fill in a percentage below.

       During the first reading, I understood _______ % of the story.

2. Write a paragraph of at least 5 sentences in English that summarizes the story based on your first reading. (5 points)   

3. Answer the following questions. (2 points)

A. What point of view does the author use? (1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person)

       B. In what tense is the story written? (present, past, future)

4. Write at least one Spanish word and its definition that you did not know before reading the story but learned from using the context. (2 points)

5. Make a list of at least 5 words from the story that you do not know.  Use resources (dictionary, internet, teacher) to find English definitions and write them beside the new words. (5 points)

6. Read the story again.  Using the new definitions, you should be able to comprehend 100% of the story.  If there are parts you still do not understand, ask your teacher.  

7. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, write a 5 sentence summary in Spanish of the story. (5 points)

8. Translate the entire story to a parent and ask him/her to sign below (5 points):

              My son/daughter _________________________________ translated the Spanish story to me.

                Signature and date: _______________________________________________

9. Write 10 comprehension questions about the story IN SPANISH.  Use the question words to help you (¿Qué? ¿Dónde? . . . etc). (5 points)

10. Writing extension:  Choose one of the following options and write at least 100 words in Spanish. (15 points – 5 completion, 5 comprehensibility, 5 accuracy).  

     A. Change point of view – Rewrite the first 100 words, changing from 3rd person to 1st person or 1st person to 3rd person.

     B. Write a new ending.  Change the story from whatever point you’d like.

     C. Continue the story.  Write what happened next.

     D. Choose a secondary character (not the protagonist) and write more about him/her and what he/she did.

     E. Rewrite the first 100 words and add something or make a change to every sentence.