All of the German stories have two versions; first a “no hesitation” version and second a cloze (fill-in-the-blank) version.
I use the first reading as a “paired oral reading” activity.
Each student receives their own paper. They fold the paper so that they are only looking at the German side. However, if they ever need a translation, there is an extremely easy-to-read gloss on the other side of the page.
Extensions before pair work
Before working in pairs, I like to read aloud the text once so that they hear correct pronunciation.
To keep them reading actively, pause before a word that they already know and train them to say the next word aloud whenever you pause.
Another option is to read a short part of the text and ask them to identify words they already know. If you have already completed a picture talk on the reading, there should be many.
Students work in pairs. One student reads the first line aloud in German. The other student translates the line, flipping the page if they need help.
After reading the entire story, the students switch roles. Therefore, they both have an opportunity to read aloud the entire story in German. Also, they both have an opportunity to orally translate the entire story.
In my class, we always start with the teacher-led picture talk. I might simply say 3-4 sentences, pointing at the picture and writing new words on the board. The purpose of the picture talk is to give students “firm ground” so they start the reading with confidence.
My students all have their own copies of the book. However, I pass out the “no hesitation” version on paper before they even take out their books. Students fold the paper and I read the story one time through, while they follow along. I want them to hear the correct pronunciation before they work together. I do not correct their pronunciation once they are working in pairs.
When we are finished (this part often takes less than 5 minutes), they pass back the “Paired Oral Reading” version before they open their books to complete the activities.
BUT WAIT! This is the perfect time to act out the lines.
Find a particularly silly line and say it aloud. Students act it out. Now have them do this in pairs– they enjoy making their partner act out the ridiculous parts. Make sure they have folded their papers so that they are looking at the German side. It is okay if they briefly flip back to refer to the English, but we want them to be processing the German as much as possible.
Before moving on to the next version of the text, why not ask a few oral who? what? where? when? why? questions?
In German, of course.
This is how we transition them from understanding the text with English scaffolds to discussing entirely in German.
To save paper, I use the same set of papers in all of my classes. I save the sets in plastic bags for the following year. Students do not write on these papers.