Seton Hall Preparatory School
Spanish I College Prep Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Mr. Mark Vitale, M.A.
Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Required Materials:
Avancemos I Textbook, Cuaderno de gramática, Notebook, Folder, Flashcards, and Student
Spanish/English Dictionary
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to the fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading and
writing in the foreign language. Emphasis is placed on communication. Learning tasks
incorporate vocabulary memorization, pronunciation, and grammatical foundations to enable the
student to manipulate basic oral and written material to conform with his developing needs.
Presentation of cultural topics increases the student's knowledge and awareness of the Spanishspeaking world (Seton Hall Prep, 2016).
Help Class Information:
I encourage my students to please come to my help classes to help further reinforce or explain
lesson topics, prepare for quizzes and tests, or to answer any questions they may have. My help
class schedule is:
Grading Scale:
All grades will be posted on FA Web. Grades are divided into four categories:
1. Homework: Homework will be given and checked daily and will be calculated at the end
of the week. Daily homework will be worth 3 points. Points will be deducted for
incomplete or late homework.
2. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given weekly to review topics covered in class. Quizzes will
cover vocabulary, culture, and grammar. In-class essay assignments will also count as
quiz grades.
3. Tests: Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will cover grammar, culture, and
vocabulary. There will typically be 2 or 3 tests each trimester.
4. Oral Presentations/Skits: Speaking is a very important part of this course. You will be
assigned and graded on oral assignments to measure your speaking abilities. These
assignments will include skits, presentations, and oral assessments.
Additional Resources:
Quizlet.com
Duolingo.com
Señor Jordan Videos (youtube.com)
Jehle Verb Conjugations http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/VERBLIST.HTM
Sporcle http://www.sporcle.com/games/subcategory/spanish
1st
TOPICAL OUTLINE
Trimester – Spanish I CP
Topics
Interpersonal modes
You will work in pairs or triads to write, read,
listen and orally produce dialogues to learn
about culture as well as achieve the following.
You will
 Identify the different sounds of the Spanish
alphabet
 Use accents to help with pronunciation
 Greet each other and introduce yourself
 Use numbers to exchange phone numbers
and ask each other dates on a calendar
 Identify different Spanish speaking
countries
 Tell the time and describe the weather
 Discuss after school activities
 Use subject pronouns to conjugate verbs
“ser,” “tener,” “ir,” “estar,” and “AR
verbs”
 Discuss your daily schedule
 Describe yourself and your feelings
 Use definite and indefinite articles and
proper noun/ adjective agreement
Interpretive modes
Students will read short articles, watch video
segments and listen to information on a variety
of topics relating to New York, United States,
and Mexico
Presentational Modes
Students will write compositions and deliver
oral presentations on a variety of topics, such as:


Describing themselves and their family
Stating what they like to do (hobbies)
Curriculum Objectives
To further the development of competence
by providing the necessary input, learning
tools, support and experience in the three
modes of communication:

Interpersonal: You will interact
with others through oral and written
two-way communication.

Interpretive: You will understand
Spanish through various means
including articles, reports, stories,
television, videos, and audio
samples of regional varieties of
spoken Spanish.

Presentational: You will
communicate in Spanish through
writing and delivering rehearsed
oral presentations.
To foster an understanding and knowledge
of differing cultural perspectives, practices
and products in the world where Spanish is
spoken by addressing themes such as crosscultural issues and region-specific
differences within the context of the three
modes of communication.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
2nd Trimester – Spanish I CP
Topics
Interpersonal modes
You will work in pairs or triads to write, read,
listen and orally produce dialogues to learn
about culture as well as achieve the following.
You will
 Order food by asking questions
 Use possessive adjectives
 Discuss family members outside of
immediate family (cousins, aunts, uncles,
etc.)
 Use “gustar” with nouns
 Conjugate “ER” and “IR” verbs and
irregular verbs in the present tense
 Use comparative words to describe and
compare products
 Conjugate Stem Changing verbs
 Discuss the differences between “Ser” and
“Estar”
 Use affirmative tú commands
 Describe different articles of clothing
 Use town and directional vocabulary
 Discuss your dream home
 Explain your chores at home
Interpretive modes
Students will read short articles, watch video
segments and listen to information on a variety
of topics relating to Puerto Rico, Spain, and
Ecuador.
Presentational Modes
Students will write compositions and deliver
oral presentations on a variety of topics, such as:



Restaurant Skit
Creating their own online clothing
catalogue
Using directional vocabulary to get around
their town
Curriculum Objectives
To further the development of competence
by providing the necessary input, learning
tools, support and experience in the three
modes of communication:

Interpersonal: You will interact
with others through oral and written
two-way communication.

Interpretive: You will understand
Spanish through various means
including articles, reports, stories,
television, videos, and audio
samples of regional varieties of
spoken Spanish.

Presentational: You will
communicate in Spanish through
writing and delivering rehearsed
oral presentations.
To foster an understanding and knowledge
of differing cultural perspectives, practices
and products in the world where Spanish is
spoken by addressing themes such as crosscultural issues and region-specific
differences within the context of the three
modes of communication.
3rd
TOPICAL OUTLINE
Trimester – Spanish I CP
Topics
Interpersonal modes
You will work in pairs or triads to write, read,
listen and orally produce dialogues to learn
about culture as well as achieve the following.
You will
 Discuss the different sports you play or the
sports you are interested in
 Use health and exercise vocabulary
 Conjugate “jugar,” “saber,” and “conocer”
 Use the “Personal A”
 Discuss the differences between “Saber”
and “Conocer”
 Conjugate “AR” “ER” “IR” and “CAR”
“GAR” “ZAR” verbs in the preterite
 Use affirmative and negative words
 Conjugate “Ser” “Ir” and “Hacer” in the
preterite
 Discuss how to write a professional e-mail
 Discuss your daily routine and summer
vacation plans
Interpretive modes
Students will read short articles, watch video
segments and listen to information on a variety
of topics relating to Dominican Republic,
Argentina, and Costa Rica
Presentational Modes
Students will write compositions and deliver
oral presentations on a variety of topics, such as:


How to stay healthy and exercise
Describing a dream or real vacation you took using
the preterite
Curriculum Objectives
To further the development of competence
by providing the necessary input, learning
tools, support and experience in the three
modes of communication:

Interpersonal: You will interact
with others through oral and written
two-way communication.

Interpretive: You will understand
Spanish through various means
including articles, reports, stories,
television, videos, and audio
samples of regional varieties of
spoken Spanish.

Presentational: You will
communicate in Spanish through
writing and delivering rehearsed
oral presentations.
To foster an understanding and knowledge
of differing cultural perspectives, practices
and products in the world where Spanish is
spoken by addressing themes such as crosscultural issues and region-specific
differences within the context of the three
modes of communication.
Classroom Behavior and Expectations
In order for us to have a successful and productive learning environment, I have outlined and
explained the rules and expectations of our class:
1. The first and most important rule of my class is RESPECT. Students will show respect
towards their instructor, fellow classmates, and themselves. Each of my classroom rules
and expectations stem from this rule.
2. Students will enter class each day in a calm and respectful manner, sit in their assigned
seats, and complete the Do-Now assignment.
3. Students will come to class prepared with required materials: textbook, workbook,
notebook, folder, flashcards, and Spanish dictionary.
4. There will be absolutely no tolerance of harassment, bullying, or intimidation. This
is a rule I take very seriously and strongly believe that each student should feel
comfortable in his learning environment with his peers. Any student who is in violation
of this policy will face disciplinary action from the Dean of Men.
5. Technology will be used appropriately in class and for the purpose of learning.
Violation of this policy will result in loss of use for the remainder of the school year.
Cellphones are not allowed in class. They will be confiscated if I see or hear them and
will result in disciplinary action.
6. Cheating, Plagiarism, or any violation of Academic Integrity will not be permitted. You
are responsible for your own work (this includes: Homework, Quizzes, Tests, or any
Academic Assignment). If you are unsure of how to complete an assignment, come
see me! I would rather help you with an assignment than have to report you for
violating the school’s Academic Integrity Policy.
7. Speaking is a very important part of learning in this course. I strongly encourage
participation and speaking, however, speaking must be done in the target language
(Spanish). Group work and activities is a privilege that I want you all to look forward to
and enjoy, but it must be done in a productive manner.
8. Disrupting class will not be allowed, because it takes away from your instructor’s
teaching and your classmates’ learning. If you choose to disrupt the class, you might
not get a warning before earning an in-class after-school detention. This detention
takes precedence over sports and all other activities, including transportation. You
will wish to avoid detentions from me. Of course, you will also wish to avoid detentions
from the Dean of Men, which go on your record. Please do not break the rules.
9. Students will carry themselves as representatives of Seton Hall Prep and live out the
school’s Mission Statement.
I am looking forward to a great school year with you all!
-Señor Vitale
Class with Señor Vitale
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME HERE:
STUDENT: I have read and understood the guidelines for Señor Vitale’s Spanish I CP class and
have shared them with my parents. I agree to work to the best of my ability in order to
accomplish all that is expected of me. I understand that achieving success is ultimately my
responsibility. I will cooperate with my teacher and fellow classmates in order to create an
environment of respect and learning in this class.
Signature
Date:
STUDENT: I have read and understood the Academic Integrity Code in the Seton Hall Prep
Student Handbook and have shared it with my parents. I agree to work to the best of my ability
to promote fairness and academic integrity at Seton Hall Preparatory School and to do what is
morally right. I understand that if I plagiarize in an Honors or Advanced Placement class I may
be removed from the course.
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Date:
PARENTS: I understand the need for a special discipline plan in a communication-based
language class. My son and I have discussed these requirements and we will support them.
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Date:
PARENTS: My son and I have discussed the consequences of plagiarism and cheating and we
will support him in his effort to do what is morally right.
Signature
Date: