View Content #6221
| Contentid | 6221 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | Some Ideas for Writing Practice |
| Body | Here are some ideas that users of the American Association of Teachers of German listserv suggest for long-term writing practice: My upper level students (3rd and 4th year) write ‘Tagebuch’, two entries per week, at least 10-12 sentences each. They get a set amount of points and I just mark their mistakes. In 3rd year they get a list of topics they can write about, the next year they can write about anything. Zimmermann, B. [AATG-L] improving upper level writing skills?? American Association of Teachers of German listserv (AATG@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU, 2 May 2007). --- Having heard from an OPI trainer (a native speaker) that to a German, the "unforgivable" mistakes are 1) failure to make subject and verb agree, and 2) failure to put the finite verb in second position, I made these the essential criteria for a successful sentence, and proceeded to calculate the students' writing grade based on the percentage of successful sentences of all those attempted. I've since added vocabulary as the third Unforgivable, and as the semester progresses (in an accelerated intermediate course, equivalent to 3rd and 4th semester combined) I add to the "Unforgivables," making control of tense, mood, and voice formation, and verb-last word order prerequisite to a successful sentence. Major case errors, as well as plural errors are deducted from the initial percentage. Pustejovsky, J. Re: [AATG-L] improving upper level writing skills?? Association of Teachers of German listserv (AATG@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU, 2 May 2007). --- When I introduce vocabulary students have to write the word in German, draw a picture of it, then use it in a sentence. I require that they keep the sentences simple, stick to vocabulary they know, and vary the subjects (so they don't just write "I play" "I go to school" "I eat", etc.) These sentences are graded with 2 pts. off for EVERY error, but I don't make corrections. The mistakes are underlined and coded. I return the sentences, and then students have to correct their errors, for which they receive full points back on a second grade that is weighted twice as much. I also write students notes who lose a lot of points as that is usually because of the same error, further pointing out things like "If you just pay attention to capitalization, this grade would be...". I make the notes encouraging. As I've done this a long time, it takes almost nothing to scan through for errors, especially as I make them keep the sentences simple. They write the sentences triple spaced so there is room for my notes and their corrections. I started my level 1's writing before the end of first semester, earlier than I ever have before, but now at the end of this year I see almost no problems with the basics - capitalization, verb conjugation and word order. They are even inflecting with increasing proficiency. Flynn, A. Re: [AATG-L] improving upper level writing skills?? Association of Teachers of German listserv (AATG@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU, 3 May 2007). --- I set up a Klingelarbeit task before the bell rings. Most often, this task involves independent writing. After 6-8 mins. I record their word count, which they give “auf Deutsch" (or if they have not finished counting yet, they respond, “Moment mal"). I glance at their writing to eliminate obvious repetitions and to spot glaring errors for review/correction. Students all shoot for a triple digit number of words written. Often, several will be called on (or volunteer) to write one of their sentences on the board (often it's their longest; sometimes its a sentence they worked hard on but don't think they nailed; sometime it's something I noticed and then request). Klingelarbeit is 5-10 percent of their quarter grade and rewards prompt, steady attendance. Baker, R. Re: [AATG-L] improving upper level writing skills?? Association of Teachers of German listserv (AATG@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU, 2 May 2007). |
| Source | AATG-L |
| Inputdate | 2007-05-21 12:09:54 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2007-05-21 12:09:54 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | 2007-05-21 00:00:00 |
| Displaydate | Not set |
| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
