Notice: Any
part of this syllabus, including course requirements, assignments categories
and descriptions, and assessment procedures, may be altered at the instructor’s
discretion. Students will receive at least one week’s notice before any changes
take effect.
Course
description:
This course is designed to acquaint students with the Spanish language and the
cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. Students will develop communicative
abilities in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing and will
gain a greater understanding of the cultural issues associated with native
speakers of the target language. The linguistic knowledge and cultural insights
gained by students in this course will better prepare them to participate in
today’s multilingual, multicultural society.
Course
objectives:Upon successful completion of this course
students should be able to:
understand
spoken words, phrases, and questions in familiar everyday situations
read and
understand short, simple texts about everyday material
ask and
answer simple questions dealing with self and the immediate world, and use
simple sentences to provide basic information about self, personal experiences,
and familiar topics and activities.
provide in
writing basic information about self and personal experiences
recognize
and respond to basic cultural practices
know basic
elements of pronunciation typical of the target language
build a
working vocabulary of practical everyday terms
A comprehensive
approach to language learning emphasizes the four basic skills of speaking,
listening, reading, and writing but also addresses competencies such as
vocabulary acquisition, knowledge and application of grammatical structures,
intercultural awareness and pronunciation.
Procedures
& Expectations
Class
sessions will be used to present, review, and practice vocabulary and
linguistic structures (grammar) and to expose students to authentic linguistic
and cultural input through lectures, readings, group activities and
discussions, and the use of media content from audio, video, and online
sources. Students will often collaborate in group and pair activities to
practice their language skills in a variety of relevant contexts. In order to
benefit from these interactions, students must prepare themselves by completing
all readings and other assignments prior to class time. They are expected to
engage actively in learning activities with a cooperative attitude.
Texts &
Materials
Exprésate- Students texts will remain in
the classroom, unless checked out.
A notebook with lined paper for daily
writing activities
A hard
back 3 ring binder for keeping learning materials for Student Portfolio
A pen or pencil with which to write
Assignment
Descriptions
Notice: These
descriptions may be modified and assignments or assignment categories may be
added or removed at the instructor’s discretion. The following is meant to give
students a general idea of course expectations.
In-class
Assignments: Every class period there will be worksheets designed to
review previous vocabulary and grammar and to practice newly introduced
material. Students are required begin
working on these immediately upon receipt of the assignment and complete these
in class on their own. Incomplete work will result in loss of participation
points.
Quizzes: At the end of
class periods there will be short quizzes. These cannot be retaken. If you are
absent, you may take the missed quiz in
addition to the quiz given during the class period when you return.
Tests. There will be
tests over material in each chapter.
Compositions. There will be
writing assignments as part of the homework from time to time.
Speaking: Students will
have speaking assignments from time to time. These will be short, based upon
material previously mastered and upon new material. Some assignments will be
completed with a partner, some will require the student to make a presentation
independently.
Extra Credit: Some learning
activities will include earning stickers for a job well done. These are worth 1
point extra credit that can be added to assignments or tests. Student must
present the sticker when the work is turned in.
Course/Instructor-specific
Policy Statements
Participation/Points.
Adequate
preparation for and active participation in all class-related activities is
paramount to student learning. Students are therefore expected, to arrive on
time, to stay for the entire period, to be prepared and complete assignments
(homework, readings, etc.) on time, to be alert and attentive during
instruction and class discussions, to participate in and contribute to all
class-related activities, to use Spanish to communicate unless otherwise
requested, and to treat their peers and the instructor with respect at all
times. Up to 5 pts per class period will
be earned for participation.
Loss of Participation
Points:
Students, who
come to class unprepared, by not having pens/pencils, paper, and a textbook
will lose participation points.
Students who do
not complete tasks assigned in class will lose participation points.
Students who
distract others, including the teacher, by talking or creating disturbances
with inappropriate behavior will lose participation points.
Students that
break classroom rules of conduct will lose participation points.
Absent
students:
Absent students are responsible for
requesting missed assignments. Students who miss exams may make arrangements to
take the tests.
Late work:No late work for
full credit, late work due the next class period at the start of class for 50%.
A "0" will be given after that.
Classroom Rules
Absolutely No Use of
Cell Phones
Cell phones should be turned
off/ silenced and kept in a pocket or a purse.
Parents who
have an emergency should contact the school and have a message delivered to
student.
Cell phones in view or use will be taken
from the student. The phone will be delivered to the office
after class.
Students are not to
adjust the thermostat and or open and close windows.
If a student is uncomfortable
i.e.: hot/cold, he or she needs to tell me, I will see if several other
students
are uncomfortable too, and make
adjustments, depending on the number of students who are not comfortable with
the classroom temperature.
My desk, my computer
and my chair are off limits to students.
Please do not go behind, sit at my desk, open drawers, or use my
computer.
If you need something, please ask for it.
Talking to each other
or distracting behavior while I am presenting materials is not acceptable.
First time: Verbal warning
Second time: Students will be moved away from others, either by
relocating in the classroom or
being seated in the hallway
Third time: Demerits will be issued
and parents will be contacted
Non participation in
activities that are assigned:
This will result in additional take
home assignments so students will be able to practice and learn independently.
All participation points for that class period will be lost.
The assignment will be due the next
class period. There will be no points awarded for the assignment.
There will be an automatic loss of
the participation points available for the next class period if the assignment
is not completed in a satisfactory manner.
Students are expected
to be polite and respectful at all times.
Students are expected
to be seated and end conversations when the bell rings.
Assigned Seating:
Students may choose seating for the first day of class. This will be
where the student is seated for the quarter.
Special requests due to vision or hearing needs will be accommodated.
I will rearrange seating if
problematic behavior arises or I feel a student will benefit from it.
Restroom/Drink
Policy: 3 passes will be issued at the beginning of each quarter. I
have read and understand the classroom rules: __________________________________(Student)