Because I teach in New York State, sections of our final exam must parallel the format of the NYS Profiency  and Regents Exams. 

Part One:  Speaking

I didn't go into great detail on the set up of this, but it is quite simple.  I choose 20-30 pictures (from magazines or printed from the Internet) that are interesting to look at.   Students choose one of the pictures and tell me a story.  We engage in a conversation about it.  There is more information and the rubric in a previous post.   I love the time spent one on one with the students.  I wish that I could do more of that during the year.  

Part Two:  Listening

Our listening section is based on NYS Proficiency/Regents exams with multiple choice Q and A.   All of the passages are in Spanish (es obvio) but the Q and A may be English or Spanish.    There are usually 20 or 25 questions.

Part Three:  Reading

We divide this into three sections:  Realia, "Translation", and Longer Passages.  The Realia section is, similar to the Prof/Reg. exams, adds, letters, tickets etc. in Spanish w/ multiple choice Q and A in English.  The "Translation" section requires students to read 2-3 paragraphs in Spanish (usually from one of the novels that we haven't read in class) and "translate" as accurately as possible...in other words, write, in English, in as much detail as possible what information is contained in the paragraphs.  The longer passages may again be from novels or from Regents exams.   They are broken down by paragraph with 1 or 2 multiple choice Q and A in English based on that paragraph.

Part Four:  Writing

This can vary from year to year depending on the group.    Students are always given a list of topics and asked to write at least 30 sentences total.   Most student simply write until they run out of things to say.   They may pick only one option or a variety of topics in order to reach the 30 sentence goal.   We allow them to use any tense they feel comfortable with.  Here are some former topics:

*Describe a trip that you made, will make, or want to make this summer.   You do not have to be "yourself" in the writing.

*Choose a piece of literature and write a review.  You may include information on the setting, characters, plot, your opinion, author, etc.     (For example  Para Matar a Un Sinsote,  El Crepúsculo, Romeo y Julieta, etc.)

*Write a creative story of your own about a pet who is a super-hero ( A character who finds a lost city, a house with special powers, etc.)

*Write a letter inviting me to a go to a concert with you.  Tell me about the location, time and the artist(s) involved.  Convince me that it will be a great thing to do.

*Write a letter to one of next year's 9th graders.   Tell him/her about the things that are different from middle school.   Explain some of the opportunities and activities.  Talk about how many high school students think, feel, speak and behave.

*I may have students write about a picture or choice of pictures. 

I use a rubric almost exactly like the one used for the NYS Regents exam for the writing.

It is a long test, but very thorough.

For most students, it is really a chance to show off what they know!!!

with love,
Laurie