If you’re looking for a go-to versatile activity that gets students up and moving, you have to try running dictation. This activity can cover every skill students practice in the target language. It’s an all-in-one activity. Students have to read, speak, write, and listen. That alone can count as a versatility. Guess what? There’s more! 😆 Running dictation can be used with just about any resources or unit you’re doing in class. You can even use it with and OWI story or a Story-asking activity where students create the story.
What I do…
Depending on how long I want the activity to last, I create 5-10 or 10-12 sentences from a story or song we’ve been studying and working with. There really isn’t a special number for the amount of sentences that you use. Then, I cut those sentences into strips and tape them on the wall in the hallway. You can type them or write them out. Whichever works best. I can tell you I’ve done it both ways (especially when I’m crunched for time).
What students do…
Students work in pairs or groups of three in my classroom. You can honestly set the groups up how you like and what works best for your students and class size. I honestly prefer pairs because with two people, I know that someone has a job at all time. Each student has a job when we do running dictation. Most times I make my students switch jobs so that they get to practice ALL the skills.
Runner
This student runs (or walks briskly) to the strips that are posted. The student reads the strip and tries to remember parts of the sentence or the whole thing. Then, the student runs back to the partner and tries to recite what they read in order for the partner to record in the target language.
Writer
This student will record all sentences brought from their partner in the target language. Listening practice from another student. Their comprehension skills are truly tested.
Artist
This is a little twist that I love to add with my running dictation. This student will draw the sentences that are recorded by the writer. It’s sooooooo cute to see what they come up with but it also shows comprehension of the text.
Translator
This student translates the phrases from English to Spanish once the phrases are all recorded from the running dictation activity. This isn’t a part of my running dictation each time.
Do you have a spin on running dictation? Have you tried it before? Drop a comment below and tell me! 😀
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