sixth graders' thoughts on [my made up version of] New York City

So for the past way too long (I think about 4 weeks now) I've been doing activities with New York City with my 6th grade class. Do I know anything about NYC? Not really, the last time I went there was about 16 (maybe?). But NYC is like the American Mecca to most my students over here, so I figured it would be more exciting for them. Besides, they'll never know that I was making it all up. 


Well anyway, aside from a watered down (read: made up) map of the city and an embellished (read: made up) description of [real] sites in NYC, it was a really good and resourceful lesson (oh sorry, this is hard to type while patting myself on the back). And it all ended with a small writing assignment for the kids to tell about their "week holiday" in New York City.


While I didn't get quite as many gems as with their first writing assignment, I still got a few hilarious ones I had to share. Seriously, the things kids think to put in these are just fantastic (and there are some adorably endearing language errors too):

"Later on Friday i'm on The Statue of Liberty , that was great for one time seeing but don't often. After i get shopping on 5th Avenue." 


"My week in new yourk was very good. we saw a lot of buildings. the empire state building and the national Statur of liberty. It was fun and i am happy, i hope you too." [The best part is, that's the entire letter!]


"When we left the plane i was very tired, because we had a Jet-Leg"


"At the first we went to the wall street, there are only walls! In the afternoon we went to 5th Avenue, a street. On Tuesday morning we went to the central park, there are sleeping people in the tree."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And for the record, my insides melt from the cuteness with the Jet-Leg sentence every single time I read it. 

I could read 6th grade ESL writing everyday.

While my 5th graders were getting crafty for the big Leap Year holiday, I put my 6th graders to a little more work. We talked about the last Leap Year in 2008 and everything that has changed since then. Then we collected ideas for what might be different by the next leap year. Eventually I had them write letters to themselves on the next Leap Day. 

I left the assignment pretty loose. I told them they could ask questions about how life had changed or they could tell about their life now, whatever they might want to ask or say to themselves in 4 years. And the results were pretty amazing!

I decided to share some of my favorite letters with you guys, but before we get to that, I feel the need for a little disclaimer:

I'm NOT posting these to make fun of the students in anyway. If anything, I was overall really impressed with the letters. The cutest part, on the whole, were the things they decided to talk about, and not the language mistakes. While the mistakes may enhance the adorableness of the letters, you have to remember that these kids are 11 and 12 years old and have been learning English for just over 1 year. If you had asked me to write a letter like this after 1 year of learning German. Well, I'm not sure it would have even been understandable. Also, I currently spend my life speaking a foreign language on a regular basis. And I make a lot of mistakes. So I know just as well as the next guy, what it's like to try to learn a new language. 

Also, my roommate is keeping a running list of the ridiculous things I say in German, so I feel like that's a freebie for keeping a list of my own. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ewa,
My life is cool I'm in the class 6c. It's the year 2012. My favori fafourite favorite food is Pizza, Chips and Vanille Milch Shake. I do not like vagetable soup. My favorite song is, I can't dance, the got we one we got away, eagy of the glory. I haven't a boyfriend.

Dear Fabian,
How are you?
I'm fine. I found the world is good in my time, but how is it in your time. I play handball and chess and I play piano too. How is it, to live? Can cars fly? Is Dortmund german cup winner? Text me back with the answers! Whats your hobbies.
Love, Fabian

Dear Anika,
i'am 12 in 2012. I like purple, grey, black and peace. I love my family and my friends. I don't like spinach. I have a dog. I have brown haars. My Hobbys are skating, drawing, meeting friends, play football, sport, ice-skating and...
Love Anika




Dear my self,
I have got some questions?
How tall will i bee?
Wil i have a drivers license?
How old will i be?
In witsh class will i be?
Can cars fly in 2016?
Love, Simon



Dear Linus,
How old are you? I'm 11
Do you play football? I play football by SC Husen-Hurl
Do you have a appartment? I haven't a appartment because I'm 11. 
I'm leaving in Husen, you?

Dear Marcel in 2016, 
Today I'm twelve and I'm in clas six. I play in the U12 of BVB. My favorite film is today Hangover. What is your favorite Film today and are you play still Football? Do you now still Tobias and your old team in the U12?
Love, Marcel in 2012

Dear Simon,
In this moment I was 2012, how old are you? I am played football, you? I am had very good Noten. Write you good Noten? I am had thyrty-three hours in the school, how much have you? I am live in Dortmund, you too? My best friends are Linus, Felix and Malte and you? Good luck!
Love, Simon

-------------------------------------------------------

Not gonna lie, my absolute favorite line in the bunch is "I haven't a appartment because I'm 11." Kids are awesome.