i was planning my midterm exam for my AP Spanish class, when a group of kids asked me if there was any chance to have a final project instead of the exam. My immediate reaction was to say no, but driving home I started considering this option. I asked myself about the purpose of a final and realized that while tests and other assessments are ways for studnets to show what they have ¨learned¨, I remembered that languages are not learned, they are acquired.
What better assessment than creating an avenue for students to show me what they have acquired vs what they have learned (memorized)?
A project like this goes a long way as it is aimed not just at getting a grade but at helping other kids with their Spanish journey.
Hope you like the activity. Please feel free to comment or/and ask questions.
Here are the project´s directions and rubric:
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE
MIDTERM PROJECT
Task:
To create a podcast for students of Spanish II and III to help them review important topics.
Directions:
*You will work in groups of two or three students
*You will have the classes of 12-06 and 12-10 to work on this project. Plan to put some extra time at home.
*All projects must be completed and uploaded in Google Classroom before class on 12-12.
*Projects will be presented on 12-12 and 12-16.
*You MUST inform me and make arrangements with your group if you will be absent.
Important and influential in your grade:
*As a group read THIS article on how to put together a good podcast.
*Every member of the group is responsible for brainstorming ideas, writing scripts, checking scripts with me and for actually recording the podcast.
*The podcast will be between 4 and 6* minutes long.
*You must make an effort to put together an interesting and fun podcast as it will be used with Spanish II and III.
*Avoid using translators as they use very artificial vocabulary that will make your podcast boring and will tell me that you broke the honor code.
*Remember that these podcasts are made for students in Spanish II and III classes. You must make them comprehensible to their level.
*Here is a suggested timeline:
12-06: Groups choose a topic, read NPR article, and brainstorm an outline of the whole podcast, work on scripts.
12-10 Groups work on scripts, activities and vocabulary. Groups start recording the different sections of the podcast.
*For groups of 3 students
Podcast Project Requirements:
-Brief introductions in English for each topic
-Conversation in Spanish for each topic
-An advertisement for each topic
-Sound effects
-Vocabulary of min 20 words for each topic
-Script of all parts in Spanish
-Translation of all parts in Spanish
-Worksheet with 10 questions for each section, provide answer key
TOPICS
Dia de los muertos, navidad, semana santa, household responsabilities, any Spanish II or III topic in your Spanish program.
You can find HERE some Podcast examples
RUBRIC
Names:_________________________________________Topic:________________________
| Requirement | Muy bien 10 pts | Bien 8 pts | Puede ser mejor 6 pts |
| The podcast will be between 4 and 6 minutes long. | |||
| Interesting and fun podcast. | |||
| Brief introductions in English for each topic | |||
| Conversation in Spanish for each topic.Make it comprehensible. | |||
| An advertisement for each topic. | |||
| Sound effects. | |||
| Vocabulary of min 20 words for each topicScript of all parts in Spanish. | |||
| Translation of all parts in Spanish. | |||
| Worksheet with 10 questions for each section, provide answer key. | |||
| All other requirements |
Click HERE for a Google Doc version of this directions. Feel free to make a copy and adapt to your context.
HERE SOME STUDENT WORK SAMPLES
KERRY AND MARAH
Marah and Kerri Vocab List 1.doc
Marah and Kerri Vocab List 2.doc
English Version of Conversation for spanish 5.doc
KATIE AND SCOTT
I´D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE MY SUCESSFUL SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION APPROACH THROUGH ONE OF MY ONE DAY WORKSHOPS, PLEASE CONTACT ME HERE
@Copyright Diego Ojeda, this material is intended for educational purposes and it’s free. It is prohibited to profit from it in any way or form. For questions contact Diego Ojeda @ diego@srojeda.com
DIEGO OJEDA 