Spanish III Syllabus
Syllabus
Español III
Profesores, Bundy, Malmo, Martinez, Newman, y Santaiti
Sprayberry High School 2008
Course overview:
You will be acquiring Spanish this year in some fun yet very effective ways. Our central goal is COMMUNICATION in the Spanish language. We will also explore Spanish-speaking and other world cultures and make cultural and linguistic comparisons with our own. Connections with other subjects (science, social studies, etc.) will be made through the language throughout the year. We will also explore opportunities to use the Spanish language outside the classroom in a larger community. .
How will we learn in this class?
We will use many fun and interesting strategies to acquire the Spanish language
.
Research on how we learn has proven that we remember better and longer what we have actually experienced physically. Gesturing and acting out commands will help you acquire the language more quickly. Another very powerful way to acquire language is through stories or narrative.
Stories
We will create and even act out situations or stories in class to work with new vocabulary. Often the stories will be silly, improbable, crazy or bizarre. This serves two purposes: 1) to maintain focus while communicating in the language & 2) to aid long-term memory.
How is foreign language acquired?
Spanish, like any language, is a skill. Acquiring a language is like learning how to ride a bike or learning how to swim. It's a skill you build gradually, use and remember a long time. Because in order to communicate successfully in Spanish you will need to continually know vocabulary, you may be tested over any vocabulary acquired in class at any time during the year.
What do I need for Spanish class?
Participation
The most important thing you need this year is not something you will go out and purchase. It’s participation in class – every day that class meets. You need to be in class!!! If you miss class, you miss HUGE amounts of input in the language and practice.
Notebook
You will also need a three-ring binder with labeled sections as per your teacher’s instructions. It's helpful to get pocket inserts for loose papers. Keep it organized.
Reading Materials
Reading
is an integral part of the Foreign Language methodology used at Sprayberry. Students will read a variety of texts (short stories, books, and articles).
Reading
is an excellent way to review and practice the language.
How is my grade determined in this class?
Approximately as follows:
PARTICIPATION - 20%
WRITING – 20%
TESTS & QUIZZES - 50%
FINAL EXAM – 10 %
Participation
To have a great participation grade, work on the items in the positive column. If you do any of the things in the negative column, your participation grade will be lowered.
Positive Column
Use the Spanish language to communicate whenever possible
Have, organize and use binder/notebook effectively
Pay attention/follow directions
Listen when others talk
Do all the gestures
Act in the stories (and this means showing emotion!)
Contribute new ideas or vocabulary to a story
Volunteer for retells
Ask and answer questions
Help other students learn
Contribute ideas for mnemonic (memory) devices
Encourage and/or praise others
Demonstrate good sportsmanship
Put forth extra effort
Allow your self to have fun and enjoy yourself in class!
Negative Column
Not pay attention/follow directions
Write or read something for another class
Pass notes (in English)
Not bring materials to class
Do not try
Use English language to communicate (when inappropriate)
Show disrespect to others
Make negative comments and put-downs (HATE SPEECH)
(language is NEVER used as a weapon in this class)
Interrupt when someone else is talking
Be off-task
Distract others
Not practice with a partner when time is given
Be too serious…no fun
Guidelines for receiving Participation grade:
100-97 Perfect Spanish, always Spanish, does more than asked, excellent oral participation and pronunciation.
96-94 Almost perfect Spanish, always Spanish, does more than asked, very good participation and pronunciation.
93-90 Very good participation uses a lot of Spanish, good pronunciation or greatly improved pronunciation.
89-84 Very good participation, good pronunciation, speaks quite a bit of Spanish.
83-80 Good participation tries to use Spanish most of the time, working on pronunciation.
79-74 Volunteers moderately, ready when called on to contribute, uses no extra Spanish.
73-70 Barely participates does not volunteer and is ready most of the time when called on to contribute.
69-0 Just there, sometimes off task, little oral participation.
Tests and quizzes
All tests will be announced in advance of the test date.
Quizzes will be unannounced. (This is not to catch you on a bad day. The intent is to assess if you acquired the structures being taught that day or the previous days.)
Homework
Students must study vocabulary on a daily basis.
Make-up work
See student handbook for SHS policy
Extra credit
NO extra credit will be given for any reason.
What if I make a mistake in class?
Mistakes when acquiring a new language are normal, natural and…. EXPECTED!!! Even students with a high degree of proficiency in the language will make many errors when speaking or writing. Remember that while laughing at your self or with others is encouraged, making fun of others will not be tolerated. Relax and have fun participating in class and your Spanish will improve quickly!
What if I’m absent?
Exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with two other classmates. If you happen to miss class one day you can call to find out what we did and what new words/concepts were learned. You WILL be responsible for the new vocabulary the next time class meets.
Cell phones and electronic devices
They are not be seen, heard, or handled in class!
The foreign language department will follow the Cobb County
curriculum. The curriculum can be found at the county web site
.
Our Philosophy
We believe that ALL students can acquire a second language. I have a passion for World Languages and I will do all that I can to help you acquire Spanish. Making a commitment: by showing up to every class and participating, you will make significant progress this year and receive a grade that reflects that progress. I know that this is going to be a fun and exciting year...full of laughs and success for all.
¡Bienvenidos! (Welcome!)
Attached is an acknowledgement to be signed and completed by a parent or guardian. This must be returned to the teacher no later than: _______________________
Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement
I, the parent/guardian of (please print student’s name)_____________________________, have read the attached course outline for Spanish.
______________________________________ ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
____________________________________
Student signature
Home phone: ______________________ Cell phone: ____________________
Work phone: ______________________ Email: _______________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
