These are the reading assignments from the course syllabi in my level 1 and level 3 classes. Most of it is self-selected reading, even in level 1.Level 1 students can read on their own and read an amazing amount once they know the high frequency verbs.
This plan really works for my students because it is self-differentiating. Every class we teach is a multi-level class, regardless of the course title… the students spread out all over the place in ability very quickly and allowing them to read what they want is the best i have found to accommodate those differences. Many student read FAR more books than the requirement–2 or 3 per week on their own at home for no credit.
The reading reports come from my Light Reading Book Reports plan. Here is a version of it.
Spanish III Reading
General Reading Requirement: Read an entire (not just part of it) short novel in Spanish every 2-3 weeks. Students are to choose a novel that is interesting and comprehensible. Minimum novel length is 6,000 words (Most novels written for language learners at this level are around 8,000 words). You can get novels from the classroom library, or from another source. Please discuss the titles you choose with your teacher.
NOTE: This is not an exorbitant reading load; it is not asking too much of students. As a comparison, the goal for 4th graders in most U.S. schools is to read 1,000,000 (one million) words in English during the school year—a result of reading for 30 minutes a day. The five (5) short novels required for each semester of the course total about 60,000 words (5 x 8,000 = 40,000). The average teen novel in English is 60,000 words. Many students in Spanish 1 classes routinely and voluntarily read one novel per week.
Reports and projects are due on or before the due date. Late reports will be reduced by 10% per day. The forms and novels are available so the books may be read and the reports turned in ahead of time. There will also be other short reading assignments in class.
- Since it is the number of words that pass in front of your eyes that builds vocabulary and fluency, Spanish 3 students need to read books with a minimum of 6,000 words—reading two shorter books may also work.
- Reading books written in the past tense is recommended.
- Ask your teacher for help if you do not know what to pick.
The criteria for book selection are that the book be COMPREHENSIBLE & INTERESTING—Something that makes sense to you and appeals to you.
SPANISH 3 READING PLAN, SEMESTER 1
SELF-SELECTED READING:
Plan: Read an entire Language Learner novel on your own every 2 weeks.
Read in Spanish and write reports in Spanish
Monday, September 18 Light Reading Book Report #1: Character Change
Monday, October 2 Light Reading Book Report #2: Minor Character, Major Impact
Monday, October 23 Light Reading Book Report #3: What a Coincidence!
Skip lines on this report ↑ and on all subsequent reports in order to make your corrections easier when your paper is returned to you.
- One extra week to read was planned because homecoming is scheduled for October 14
Tuesday, November 7 Light Reading Book Report #4: Conflict
Monday, November 27 Light Reading Book Report #5: Life Lessons
WHOLE CLASS READING
Tuesday, November 28—Friday, December 15 La corza blanca & La cruz del diablo Assignments and Quizzes
(Vocabulary controlled versions of the classic Spanish tales by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer)
Tuesday, December 19 Semester final exam based on the books
SPANISH 3 READING PLAN, SEMESTER 2
SELF-SELECTED READING
Plan: Read an entire Language Learner novel on your own every 2 weeks.
Read in Spanish and write reports in Spanish
Monday, January 22 Light Reading Book Report #6: Surprise!
Monday, February 5 Light Reading Book Report #7: Rate this Book
Monday, February 26 Light Reading Book Report #8: The Last Chapter
Monday, March 12 Light Reading Book Report #9: To the Final Chapter, and Beyond!
Monday, April 9 Light Reading Book Report #10: Draw It!
Monday, April 30 Light Reading Book Report: Your choice of #1-10
- One extra week to read was planned here because prom is scheduled for April 14
- For this report you may pick from previous reports, or invent your own—talk with your teacher
WHOLE CLASS READING
Thursday, May 4—Friday, May 18 Los ojos de Carmen Assignments and Quizzes
Thursday, May 24 Semester final exam based on the book, class presentations and class discussions
Students: Use you problem-solving skills. If the books in our classroom library do not appeal to you or if you have a different way to show you understand what you have read, let’s talk about it. If you want to read something different or if you have an idea for a different kind of report, write it up and we will discuss it.
Spanish I Reading
SPANISH 1 READING PLAN, SEMESTER 1
SELF-SELECTED READING
Read in Spanish and write reports in English to show reading comprehension.
Monday, October 2 Light Reading Book Report #1: Character Change
Tuesday, November 7 Light Reading Book Report #2: Minor Character, Major Impact
WHOLE CLASS READING
Tuesday, November 28—Friday, December 15 Pobre Ana Assignments and Quizzes
(Students that have already read Pobre Ana or Pobre Ana Moderna may read another book for this assignment and exam.)
Wednesday, December 18—Friday, December 20 Semester final exam based on the book and class discussions
SPANISH 1 READING PLAN, SEMESTER 2
SELF-SELECTED READING
Plan: Read an entire Language Learner Novel on your own every 3 weeks.
Read in Spanish and write reports in English to show reading comprehension.
Monday, February 5 Light Reading Book Report #3: What a Coincidence!
Monday, March 12 Light Reading Book Report #4: Conflict
Monday, April 9 Light Reading Book Report #10: Draw It!
Monday, April 30 Light Reading Book Report: Your choice of #1-10
- For this report you may pick from previous reports, or invent your own—talk with your teacher
WHOLE CLASS READING
Thursday, May 4-Friday, May 18 Patricia va a California Assignments and Quizzes
(Students that have already read this book may read another book during this time)
Wednesday-Friday, May 23-May 25 Semester final exam based on the book and presentations in class
I am about to apply for a grant, and I’m debating about whether or not to order a class set of novels, or just several copies of several different novels.
(I already have 8 different readers, 5 copies of each in my classroom, plus ¿Qué tal? magazines for Level 1 from Scholastic.)
It seems like for Spanish 1, you do mostly self-selected reading, but 1 whole-class novel a semester.
I feel like some proficiency-based teachers I know of are divided on as to whether to do a whole-class novel or not. I’ve read many blogs of teachers that do choose to do whole-class novels. It makes sense, because they everyone is doing the same thing and everyone can discuss the same thing.
Yet I read about other proficiency-based teachers who do not do a whole-class novel and just do self-selected reading because they feel like whole-class reading raises issues in regard to equity, differentiation, and addressing the interests of the students.
What do you think? I want to apply for this grant and augment my class library, but I’m not sure about the desirability of a class set of novels.