Past Tense Practice: Memoir Project – Days 1 & 2
Memoirs are a fun way to personalize practicing the past tense in a new language. Consider this activity:
- Using your styrofoam board, map, and flags, mark the places where you have lived or traveled. Please note that students can do these digitally, too, on a slide. You can use a board and toothpicks with flags.
- Choose two of those places and, using the guiding questions provided, write 2 short stories about your experiences there.
- Practice responding to the questions aloud in Spanish.
¿Cuándo era?
¿Qué tiempo hacía?
¿Dónde estabas?
¿Cuántos años tenías?
¿Cómo te sentías?
Answer these in the preterit:
Tres cosas que hiciste.
Tres cosas que pasaron.
Presentation Day
- You will take turns as both an interviewer and a presenter.
- In the first round, interviewers will ask questions to the presenters. Then, roles will switch.
- You may not use notes during your presentation.
- Your map must be ready and visible.
- You must speak entirely in Spanish—no English.
- You will end with a written summary in Spanish. This can be a summary of your own story or a peer’s story.
Grading – 75 Points Total
- Map preparation: ___ /10
- Story content: ___ /15
- Oral presentation (no notes): ___ /15
- Use of Spanish (no English): ___ /15
- Written summary: ___ /10
- Interview participation: ___ /10
Building Proficiency for World Language Learners: 100+ High-Interest Activities
Discover over 100 dynamic activities to make world language learning interactive and fun. I wrote this book with some of my favorite activities for educators aiming to build proficiency with high-impact strategies.
Learn more and get your copy here.
5 Weeks of No and Low Prep Fun
Need quick, engaging activities for your class? This free guide includes 25 no-prep and low-prep ideas to save time while keeping students excited about learning.
Download your free copy now.
