The course is designed to enhance and expand the student's
knowledge of Spanish by reinforcing material from earlier levels and
incorporating new vocabulary, structures and cultural awareness.
While all skills are addressed, emphasis is on oral competence and appreciation
of other cultures. Emphasis is increasingly placed on oral
expression and accurate, comprehensible writing Presentation of
material, activities and evaluations are designed to meet a variety
of learning styles and cognitive processes.
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I. Course objectives - To develop your proficiency in listening, speaking,
reading and writing
Spanish and to broaden your understanding of the Spanish-speaking world
and its culture.
II. Expectations -- Everyone is expected to
A. Speak Spanish in class.
B. Prepare homework for each class.
C. Practice oral, listening, writing and reading skills in class as
well as outside of class.
D. Strive to improve proficiency—goal is to be in the intermediate
low to intermediate high
range on the ACTFL scale.
E. Adhere to the Academy policies and demonstrate an attitude of cooperation.
(ie., Academic Honesty / Plagiarism)
III. In-class materials required daily
A. Three (3) ring binder notebook divided into the following sections:
1. Hoja de tarea = current assignment sheet (collected & returned
- sheets can be recycled)
2. Guías = study guides, references
3. Vocabulario = cumulative vocabulary lists (identified by chapter
/ segment)
4. Capítulo = current chapter
a. Homework identified by chapter, page and date
b. Handouts
c. Class notes
d. Returned quizzes, etc.
e. Paper
5. Lo viejo = recently completed chapter. ( file / keep all materials
for final exam preparation.)
B. Text: Ven conmigo 3 (2003 edition)
1. Workbooks: Gramática & Práctica
C. Pen and/or pencil
** Failure to bring any of the above to class may result in a "0".
Three zeroes in a term may
lower your effort rating & grade.
You are encouraged to have a Spanish-English dictionary for use at home
(don’t rely on
electronic translators!)
IV. Assessment
A. Quizzes (pruebas/examenitos) - usually announced--some will be oral—often
2 per
cycle.
B. Homework (tarea) - expect homework most nights. It may be written
or oral practice.
Homework will be regularly checked for completion. (Belated credit will
not be given!! BRING
your notebook and you'll have everything you need!) I will collect your
assignment sheet and
assess a grade based on completed assignments. Additionally, homework
may be checked
for accuracy. Missing assignments will impact effort rating and generate
an interim.
C. Tests (exámenes) - will typically be given at the end of each
chapter and cover the entire
chapter and supplementary material. Tests will be announced 1 week in
advance with the
written segment scheduled for the "long" period. The aural
and/or oral parts are usually
during a regular period. A portfolio project may be given in place of
or in addition to a chapter
test. Occasionally, the test will evaluate a portion of the chapter.
D. Portfolio (carpeta) - an ongoing accumulation of a variety of activities
and contributions
designed to demonstrate your progress. Details prior to project.
E. Class participation - consistent use of English will lower participation
grade. Frequency and
accuracy are components of participation.
F. Your grade will be determined by tests, quizzes, homework, projects,
(portfolio) and
participation. Rubrics will be used for many assessments. You will have
those prior to the
assessment.
V. Policies
A. It is your responsibility to initiate make-up. Your assignment sheet
will help you stay on
schedule. I will give you materials distributed during your absence.
Time allotted for make-up
equals length of absence + one day. Exceptions will be at my discretion.
Quizzes and tests
must be made up within a week or they may revert to a 0 and begin to
impact current work.
**Upon return, be sure to have your assignment sheet updated for credit
and turn it in if
necessary. (Make-up due to an extended absence should be coordinated
with Ms. Serdy).
B. Please inform me of an anticipated absence (athletics, field trip
or appointment), obtain
handouts, etc. and establish a make-up schedule in advance. You are
not excused from work
or assessments the following day
C. Requests to postpone a quiz, dialong, test or project because you
did not have your book at
home, lost it, etc. may be denied. Request for postponement due to an
emergency should be
emailed to me the night before or before the beginning of the school
day (8:15 a.m.) Use your
assignment sheet and be responsible
D. Please do not bring food or beverages to class. ( Discuss lunch conflicts
with me.) Do not
write on the desks.
E. Make good use of time between classes.
F. Arriving late to class is disruptive. You will be marked late and
may be sent to the Dean's
Office for a late pass. A pass from the Dean's Off ice does not constitute
an excuse--it simply
alerts that office that you were late. Please bring a pass from your
previous teacher if you
expect to be late. Detention may result and effort rating will be impacted
by "lates".
At the first sign of difficulty, please see me! I am usually available
for extra help during the "drop" period as well as after school.
Other appointments can be made as schedules permit. Peer tutors are
available as well. (My schedule is posted outside H108 as well as outside
the Service Learning Office in Hunt.) To locate me when I’m not
teaching, check in the Service Learning Office or in the World Language
Office. If you are unable to find me, please leave a brief message under
the Service Learning office door (or on my chair in H 108 if the room
is empty) so I know you were trying to find me and why.
Effort ratings
Exemplary (5) / Commendable (4) The student . . .
____always takes risks at the risk of not always being correct.
____aggressively meets challenges & frustrations with positive attitude.
____frequently volunteers & asks insightful questions that raise
the standards of the class.
____is a leader when participating in group work.
____consistently enthusiastic, cooperative and focused in class.
____sets an exemplary standard of success by hard work & overall
positive effort.
____evaluations indicate that the student has overcome certain problems.
____often helps others in class.
____integrates other areas of interest & study into target language
classroom.
____ speaks exclusively in the target language.
____is on time for class & alerts teacher about pending dismissals,
absences.
____adheres to academy dress code.
____embraces correction as a tool for improvement.
____takes initiative to meet with teacher before planned absence or
after unplanned
absence.
EXPECTED (3) The student. . .
____meets the challenges of language learning with a positive attitude.
____is focused on improving language skills instead of grade.
____takes notes in class & organizes them so they are available
daily.
____volunteers & asks questions.
____is on time for class & alters teacher about pending dismissals,
absences.
____attends all classes / has valid excuse.
____is an integral member in group work.
____keeps appointments or notifies teacher if unability to meet.
____takes initiative to make up tests, quizzes, work in timely manner.
____is cooperative, focused & attentive in class.
____shows respect for others.
____makes a concerted effort to speak in the target language; asks permission
to
use English.
____comes prepared with materials & homework.
____follows procedures.
____seeks help when problem arises.
____understanding and forgiving of other’s weaknesses.
____accepts correction well.
____respects dress code.
INCONSISTENT (2) / UNACCEPTABLE (1). The student. . .
____rarely takes risks.
____seldom/never exhibits a positive attitude.
____seldom/never takes notes or volunteers in class.
____is often late or absent for class.
____is negative or non-productive in group work.
____makes little/no effort to meet with teacher re:absences, problems
or fails to keep appointments.
____makes little effort to speak in the target language.
____comes to class unprepared--lacks homework &/ materials.
____is intolerant of others.
____ignores his/her problems.
____makes no effort to internalize corrections.
____disregards dress code.
____repeatedly postpones evaluations.
You are encouraged to use this to evaluate your effort. Not all descriptors
need to be met to earn a particular effort rating.
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