HIGH SCHOOL COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Number & Title of Course: Spanish I
2014-2015
Credit: 1.0
Instructor: Rhonda McGowan
School: Logan High School
Department/Office: World Language Rm. 111
Rm. 114
Office Hours: Periods 4, 7
Can be Contacted: 789- 3325 or [email protected]
Course Description
Spanish I students will start to use the language to talk about their lives and the world
around them and will learn basic survival vocabulary and grammar skills. The students
will be introduced to the richness and diversity of Hispanic cultures. Students will be
expected to take an exit exam to determine readiness for Spanish II.
MATERIALS/BOOKS
Buen Viaje, Glencoe McGraw Hill Companies, 2005 (used as a resource only)
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE COURSE
1. One 3 ring binder with paper for taking notes and to keep handouts in.
2. The classroom will graciously accept donations of Kleenex for the
students and or any paper products.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Students will begin to use the language and try to use it as much as possible.
Students will begin to pronounce correctly and notice changes in tone and structure.
Students will learn what to expect and how to function in different cultural settings
and contexts.
Students will be able to comprehend material of increased difficulty.
Student will develop an awareness of current events, cultural topics of the Spanish
world.
Students will use technology to enhance language and cultural study.
NEW TOPICS/STRUCTURES/VOCABULARY THE STUDENTS WILL LEARN
Spanish I
1. The countries and capitals of the Spanish world.
2. Pronunciation, alphabet
3. Common Greetings, Introductions
4. Classroom words
5. Family
6. Basic verbs
7. Description with adjectives
8. Clothing, colors
9. Numbers, dates, time and weather, seasons
10. House vocabulary
11. Food and restaurant
12. Estar, ser (describing yourself and places)
13. Pastimes
14. Preterit tense
15. Holidays and culture.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING
Grades will be weighted by categories that coincide with the Wisconsin Foreign
Language Standards. I do not round grades up at the end of the semester or
quarter. The final semester exams will be worth 20% of the semester grade.
Grade Categories
Participation 10%
Daily Homework 10%
Listening/
Reading activity 10%
Conversations 10%
Writing Activity 10%
Summative assessments 50%
The grade percentages are listed below.
100=A+
99-93=A
92-90=A-
89-87=B+
86-83=B
82-80=B-
79-77=C+
76-73=C
72-70=C-
69-67=D+
66-63=D
62-60=D59-0=F
SPECIFIC TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS ARE
These will include oral assessments which could be dialogues, conversations,
interviews,
writing assignments, or online assessments. Performance assessments include “Yo
Puedo” sheets which are oral assessments of unit material learned.
Projects that could include posters and presentations, videos, PowerPoint, listening
or making recordings.
Quizzes could be on grammar, vocabulary, literature, WebQuests, research and Pod
casts included. Quizlet is an online program used to practice and quiz vocabulary.
Performance assessments can be any of the above.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS CLASS
Attendance: should be a priority. Oral points cannot be earned by being absent.
Understanding is enhanced by daily attendance. The oral points will be averaged at
the end of the quarter for each class. Participation is required and expected to be in
Spanish.
Water is allowed in the classroom.
Homework: - is given Mon-Thurs. I do not accept late homework. These daily 1015 minute assignments do not take much time to do and relate directly to the class
work. Most of the time they are corrected in class the next day as to answer
questions and review. Assignments are worth ten points everyday. I will check the
homework for completion and at times collect the work for a grade. You are only
allowed to make-up homework if you have an excused absence. This work needs to
be made up within a week or it will not be accepted. It is the student’s
responsibility to get make-up work and turn it in in a timely manner.
Tests and quizzes:-should be made up as soon as possible or by the end of the
week with an excused absence. Tests or quizzes missed by an unexcused absence
cannot be made-up and the student will receive a zero. It is the student’s
responsibility to come in and make this work up in a timely manner. Students
who receive a D or F on an assessment should re-take it. What an awesome
opportunity to re-learn and improve a grade!
Oral Participation: - is required in this class. I cannot assess what you know if you
do not speak!! I will average all the oral points at the end of the quarter. Rememberby being absent, the oral point score will be negatively affected. Try to use your
Spanish as much as possible in class!
Projects: are docked one grade per day if they are turned in late.
Cell phones, iPods are not allowed in the classroom. They will be confiscated and
the student will need to retrieve it at a later time designated by the teacher.
Academic Honesty: Any student caught cheating on homework, tests, will face
severe consequences. The student will call their parents and receive a zero on the
work.
Hall Passes: do not ask to use a hall pass during a student or teacher presentation
or lecture. These are to be used for emergency only. Your teacher reserves the
right to say no or suspend the hall pass privilege.
Extra Points: There will be opportunities for earning extra points. These are not
meant to replace a grade. I will not accept extra points during the last week of
the quarter.
See the extra point packet for more information.
Resource Time
Any student that has a grade of C- or lower in this class should come to resource at
least once during the week.
Any student struggling must come to resource and speak with the teacher before
beginning the drop process.
Tutoring: Mastery of the material both new and old is very important in this class.
If you feel you are struggling, get help right away! There are tutors available. Upper
level students can earn extra points by tutoring.
Cooperation: You will be expected to work with everyone in your class. Stay
focused and on task in group activities!!
Commitment: Learning a language takes time and dedication but
the effort put forth is well worth it once one realizes how much they have learned
or grown in the language and the possibilities that open up. Studying everyday is
worth it instead of cramming before a test. I will not expect each student to be
perfect because you are here to learn and mistakes will happen. That is okay. I
expect that each give his/her best effort!
Use of English: Rarely is English used in the Spanish-speaking classroom. Research
shows and has proven that an immersion type setting in the classroom is very
beneficial to learning. Each of you will feel more and more comfortable as the year
goes on and your Spanish will improve!!
SPANISH OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENT
A school club looks great on college applications!! No need to be fluent in Spanish in
order to join Spanish Club that will meet monthly. We are looking for enthusiastic
leaders and members to help plan activities.
Global Scholars
If you are interested in earning a Global Certificate upon graduation, pick up the
information sheet that describes tis program in detail from any World Language
teacher.
Spanish Trips
Upper level Spanish students travel with us every two years. The next trip will be in
the year 2017. Later this year, more details will be available.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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bottom half signed.
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