La Clase de Español
Lima Central Catholic High School
Señora Guillén
[email protected]
419-222-4276, Ext. 2304
¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español! Welcome to Spanish class! I’m very happy
that you have chosen to learn Spanish this year in my class! It’s going to be a fun
and productive year! I hope that you will find that learning another language can be
an exciting and rewarding experience.
Materials Needed:
Textbook: ¡Exprésate! (covered)
1 three-ring binder*, with 4 dividers
Lined paper
Pencil, pen
Index cards (for making flashcards)
Occasionally, you may need colored pencils/markers, poster boards, etc. for projects
*You are required to have a three-ring Spanish binder with four dividers, and bring
it to class with you each day. (If you are assigned a workbook, the workbook should
be clipped inside it). All of your notes, handouts, homework and tests/quizzes
should be kept organized in this binder. This will become a valuable resource for
exam review and future Spanish classes. It’s not just important; it’s a requirement.
Course Outcomes
We will address 5 important components: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
and Culture. You will learn vocabulary and grammar concepts, develop listening
comprehension and conversational skills, use reading and writing skills in the target
language, and develop an understanding and appreciation for the Hispanic/Latino
culture. By the completion of this course you will be able to produce simple and
complex sentences, paragraphs and conversations in the present tense, past tense,
future tense and subjunctive mood using regular and irregular verbs. You will utilize
vocabulary to summarize a variety of topics. You will learn to use deductive
reasoning and make educated guesses regarding unfamiliar words/phrases in
sentences. You will gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.
Course Strategies
You are to spend at least 10-15 minutes on Spanish at home every evening. Even
when there is no written assignment, I expect you to look over the daily or weekly
lesson(s) and/or vocabulary for those 10-15 minutes. You become fluent in Spanish
the same way you become good at a sport…you have to practice regularly and often!
Outside of class! At home, find a quiet place where you can practice speaking
Spanish aloud. You need to practice it aloud every evening at home. If you want
good grades, you absolutely have to work outside of class time and pay attention to
detail.
Homework is to be completed before you enter the classroom each day. This course
will require your best effort in quality of work, accuracy and spelling. If you’re not
doing the homework assignments, you won’t pass tests/quizzes. The homework I
assign is your practice for the tests and quizzes.
Use as much Spanish as possible to communicate in the classroom. Don’t worry
about having every single detail of the language correct before attempting to
express yourself in class…just try your best! Fluency develops from lots of practice
and repetition. You have to do a lot of memorization in foreign language, especially
at the emergent level. I expect you to be a good speaking partner in the classroom
during paired/group practice. This is an important part of our class.
You need a positive attitude and good work ethic to do well in Spanish this year.
Learning to use a second language is fun and useful. Work hard and pay attention
and you will be amazed at the amount of Spanish you learn this year!
My Expectations
1. Be in class, in your assigned seat, quiet and ready to begin when the bell
rings.
2. Arrive prepared to learn with your textbook, binder, pen, pencil, paper, and
workbook/homework. Do not depend on me, or others, to provide you with
any of these supplies! Be responsible for yourself.
3. Follow school dress code.
4. Have homework ready to turn in at the beginning of class, in order to get full
credit. No late work will be accepted without an excused absence.
5. Behave courteously and respect those around you, the feelings and the
property of others. No profanity or vulgarity.
6. Don’t talk when I am teaching, unless it is appropriate. Raise your hand to
ask questions. Work only on Spanish during class.
7. Do your own work! During tests and quizzes you must keep your eyes on
your own work. You may not communicate with others or have wandering
eyes. If this happens, you will not (necessarily) be accused of cheating, but
you will receive a ZERO for not following instructions. (WARNING: This is
my biggest pet peeve. Honesty and integrity are absolute in my classroom!)
8. Keep all of your Spanish papers and notes in your Spanish binder. There will
be spot checks on binders. Keep your textbook covered at all times.
9. Students will be allowed to leave the classroom for emergencies only. If you
need to leave the room, you are expected to fill out your OWN handbook with
the date and time, in order to receive permission. You will also be asked to
sign the class log with name, date and destination. Trips to the restroom or
office will be limited to 3 times per quarter.
10. If you are absent, you are expected to turn in your homework the day you
return. It is your responsibility to ask about any missed assignments and
pick it up. You will have one extra day for each absence to complete and turn
in your missed work. Making up quizzes and tests must be arranged with the
teacher, and are to be made up before or after school.
11. iPads will be used in Spanish class only at the teacher’s request! Checking
grades and email should be done on your own time! Using the iPad as a
translator is not only prohibited, but can be a detriment to learning and
retaining the material taught. Cell phones should not be brought to class.
Consequences for inappropriate behavior include conferences with the teacher at
her convenience, contacting parents, detention, office referral, or removal from
class.
Grades
Grades will be issued based on the grading scale in the Student Handbook.
Students will receive grades for:
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Tests
Quizzes
In-Class work
Homework
Partner Work
Projects
Some assessments will include ALL the language components (reading,
writing, speaking, listening and culture). Others may be specific to one or two
components.
How to Best Learn
Speak Spanish aloud everyday.
Practice with a friend, family member or classmate daily.
Associate new words with pictures in your mind.
No fear! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Ask questions!
Intelligent guesswork—many words in Spanish are very similar in English
Study new vocabulary and grammar each night.
Have fun! The more you try, the more you’ll learn.
Need extra help? See me before or after school.
Parents, please feel free to contact me at your convenience if you have
questions or concerns. The best way to contact me is via email:
[email protected]
I will do my best to reply in a timely manner.