Activity Description:
If language teachers were paid every time they had to remind students to speak the target language (TL), they could probably retire.
With this in mind, you will be a part of a group that will meet at the beginning of each class (groups will change from time to time). Your teacher will have an activity prepared for the groups to complete each day (this gives your teacher the opportunity to take attendance and finish all those other time-consuming tasks).
Each group should elect a leader to take charge and keep the group on task, making sure that everyone participates. Always speak as much TL as possible during your warm-up. Help and learn from each other. Use the TL to greet and say your farewells to your group members at the end of the activity.
Primary Activity Standard: Communication Standard 1.1 (Interpersonal Communication)
Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
| Excellent |
Average |
Needs Work |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Time on Task |
The group forms immediately to work on activity until the teacher indicates otherwise; if group finishes early, members discuss topics related to TL. 10 9 |
The group forms fairly soon to work mostly on activity until the teacher indicates otherwise; if group finishes early, members are either silent or discuss topics not related to TL. 8 7 6 |
The group takes a long time to form; they do not work on activity (unless the teacher walks by); if group finishes early, members discuss topics not related to TL. 5 4 3 2 1 0 |
| Participation |
All group members participate equally throughout the entire activity. 5 |
All group members but one participate equally throughout the activity. 4 3 |
More than one group member does not participate equally throughout the activity. 2 1 0 |
| Group Cooperation |
All members cooperate to help each other learn; if anyone has been absent, the group helps him/her; no one acts "superior." 10 9 |
Most members cooperate to help each other learn; if anyone has been absent, the group sometimes helps him/her; no one acts "superior." 8 7 6 |
Members do not cooperate to help each other learn; if anyone has been absent, the group does not help; some members act "superior." 5 4 3 2 1 0 |
Use of TL |
Members use as much TL as possible (also to greet and say farewells). 5 |
Members use some TL during activity (also to greet and say farewells). 4 3 |
Members rarely use TL during activity (neither do they greet nor say farewells). 2 1 0 |
© 1999 Wade Petersen
*The source for this activity and rubric is 50 French Oral Communication Activities with Mini-Rubrics by Wade Petersen. References to French in the original were changed to target language or TL above so that the activity can be adapted for any language. Petersen has also written activities and rubrics for Spanish and German:
Petersen, W. (1999). 50 French oral communication activities with mini-rubrics. Auburn Hills, MI: Teacher's Discovery.
Petersen, W. (1999). 50 Spanish oral communication activities with mini-rubrics. Auburn Hills, MI: Teacher's Discovery.
Petersen, W. (1999). 50 German oral communication activities with mini-rubrics. Auburn Hills, MI: Teacher's Discovery.