COURSE SYLLABUS
Spanish Explore 2015-2016
Instructor: Mrs. Motter
Room: 216
rd
Prep: 3 Period
Email: [email protected]
DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The foreign language program recognizes three basic goals: communications, cultural awareness and personal
development. In Spanish I, communications development is achieved through the use of the four language skills:
listening, speaking, reading and writing. The student will learn common beginning vocabulary, grammar rules and
how to conjugate some verbs in the present tense. Sentence structure will be discussed and by the end of the semester,
the student should be able to read and write a simple paragraph in Spanish and carry on a simple conversation in
Spanish. Cultural awareness is developed through the use of films and projects. Personal development is made
through working in groups, reciting without embarrassment, listening patiently to one another, and through the
positive experience of being successful with a foreign language.
GRADING PLAN
Grades will be established based on the following assessments:
Homework
Classwork
Quizzes
Authentic
Assessment
Each homework is expected to be done upon entering the classroom. Homework will be
checked for completion and gone over during class time to correct any mistakes. Homework
assignments will be chosen at random to be taken for a grade.
Classwork is expected to be done during class time and may or may not be taken for a grade.
Upon completion and grading of the unit’s quizzes, a student may choose to retake the quiz
for a higher score, but he or she must have completed every classwork assignment given.
Various grammar and vocabulary quizzes will be given throughout each unit of study
ranging in point value from 5 to 50 points. Students may retake the grammar quizzes for a
higher grade if all homework and classwork assignments have been turned in. Retakes must
be done within the retake window, which will be announced and posted on the board after
all grammar quizzes have been graded and seen by the students.
Some type of authentic assessment will be completed during each nine week period.
Assessments will be in the form of small group or individual projects, presentations, skits,
and speeches.
TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES




3 Ring Binder specifically for Spanish
Binder dividers- at least five
Writing utensils
Loose leaf paper and/or notebook
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. Respect yourself and others at all times
2. Remain quiet and attentive when others are speaking
3. Come to class prepared and on time.
LATE WORK POLICY:
Students are expected to turn in assignments on time. Work that is 1 day late will result in a 10%
reduction of the overall grade. Work is considered late if it is turned in after I collect it, even if it is the
same period/day. Work that is 2 days late will result in a 25% reduction of the overall grade. Work that
is 3-5 days late will result in a 50% reduction of the overall grade. Work more than 5 days late will not
be accepted.
ABSENCE POLICY:
Students who are absent from class with a valid excuse will be given one day for every day missed to
make up assignments. Students with pre planned absences (vacations, games, play, etc.) are expected to
check in with me to let me know in ADVANCE so that I can plan accordingly.
BEHAVIOR:
Disrespect of any kind will not be tolerated in this class. Students are expected to come to class with a
cooperative and positive attitude. Disruptions, which inhibit the quality of instruction in the classroom,
will be dealt with immediately. Learning a foreign language is never an easy task. It is my job to help
each student succeed to the best of his or her ability, but I cannot help without the cooperation of each
member of the class. Come each day with an attitude that is ready to learn!
TARDIES:
Students are to be inside the classroom when the bell rings to be considered “on time.” When entering
the classroom late, students need to sign in on the clipboard and students are expected to enter quickly
and quietly without disrupting the class.


Three tardies = lunch detention
Four tardies = Wednesday school
HALL PASSES:
Students may not leave the classroom without permission nor without a pass. If a student needs to leave
class for a legitimate reason I will ask for their pasaporte, which will contain 4 “stamps”. Each time a
student must leave the classroom for whatever reason (restroom, locker, office, etc.) a stamp will be
marked off. If a student does not have their pasaporte with them in class, they may not go. At the end of
each quarter, students will receive extra credit points for their unused stamps. The second quarter,
students will receive a new pasaporte containing four stamps.
BINDERS:
All students are required to keep a 3 ring binder, which they will purchase, of all notes, vocabulary lists,
handouts, quizzes and classwork/homework. The notebook will need at least four dividers labeled with
the following sections: notes, vocab lists, quizzes, and homework/classwork. At the end of each grading
period, students’ organizational skills will be rewarded with extra credit.
*If you are unable to purchase a binder specifically for Spanish, please see Mrs. Motter.
COURSE TOPICS
This course will be covering, but is not limited to the following topics:
 The Spanish speaking countries of the world
 Spanish Alphabet
 Basic greetings/goodbyes and conversation questions
 Colors and numbers
 Dates (birthday, calendar, holidays)
 Family
 Spanish Culture (Holidays, Foods, etc.)
 Adjectives (Describing things in Spanish)
 Likes and dislikes
 Body parts
 Classroom items
 Food/ Restaurant