World Languages and Cultures: Spanish I—Cover Sheet 2012-2013

Class Title: Spanish I: Targeted Proficiency Range is Novice-Mid

Instructor: Casey Vavrina

Email: (best way to reach me)

Website: https://tvhsespanol.wikispaces.com/

Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO): 3:00-3:30 pm

General Overview: Spanish I is a one-year course that focuses on communicating in the language as well as learning about the cultural products, practices and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. You will make some mistakes when you communicate, but you should keep in mind that these mistakes are a natural part of learning a new language. Just pay attention to them to see if you can begin to eliminate them.

What can you say and write? You can tell about yourself and others, using words, phrases or short sentences—sometimes even several sentences—as needed. You can confidently give personal information about yourself, as well as information about others; you can tell about your likes and dislikes, your preferences and your needs, and you begin to use the language for some daily functions, like asking for or giving directions or maybe even buying things like food or clothing. You can make lists, fill in forms, write notes and use web-based communication.

What can you understand when you listen? You will understand most of what your teacher and your classmates say. You will even be able to understand some things that native speakers say. In general when you listen, you will get the main idea of what is being said and maybe even a few details. You might have to hear questions more than once, but you will probably be able to figure out what is being asked and how to respond..

What can you understand when you read? You will get the main ideas and some of the details when reading daily life things like class schedules, personal profiles, menus, invitations, headlines, picture captions and other short passages.

Colorado Academic Standards for World Languages: http://tsdwlstandards.wikispaces.com

Communication in Languages Other Than English
Interpersonal mode: Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
Interpretive Mode: Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Presentational Mode: Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. (Presentational mode)
Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
v  Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.
v  Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections with Other Disciplines and Information Acquisition
v  Reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
v  Acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the world language and its cultures.
Comparisons to Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
v  Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
v  Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

Targeted Proficiency Range: Novice-Mid: Learners communicate using memorized words and learned phrases to communicate about familiar topics related to school, home, the community and daily life. Learners start to make some basic connections to other content areas. Learners begin to make some basic linguistic and cultural comparisons with new language and native language.

Unit 1 – Meeting and Greeting/Basic Personal info.

Unit 2 – School life

Unit 3 – Food and Restaurant

Unit 4 – Family and Home

Unit 5 – Clothing and Shopping for a trip

Unit 6 – City and Travel

Daily Materials:

¨  Realidades I (textbook) Please cover your text. You are personally responsible for the use and care of all materials checked out to you. YOU MUST BRING YOUR BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY.

¨  Authentic materials and other authentic sources, many from the Internet.

¨  Notebook AND three-ring binder exclusively for Spanish

¨  Pens/pencils

¨  If available: cell phone and other personal portable devices such as iPod, iPad and personal laptop computers and tablets.

o  NONE of these devices may be used during class time unless it is announced that it is okay to use them. Violation of this policy will result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the class period.

Assessment:

Grading will be based on Esponja activities, assignments, quizzes, exams, projects and interpersonal, interpretive and presentational listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing assessments. Assessments are aimed at the targeted proficiency level for the class.

Grading scale / Assessments/Activities
90-100 / A / Interpersonal Mode assessments (speaking and writing) / 20%
80-89 / B / Interpretive Mode assessments (listening, reading, viewing) / 20%
70-79 / C / Presentational Mode assessments (speaking and writing) / 20%
60-69 / D / Exams/Projects (Integrated Performance Assessments-IPA)/Quizzes / 20%
50-59 / F / Homework and Class Activities / 10%
Esponja activities/ Participation / 10 %

Active participants in our Spanish class community…

1.  Try

2.  Ask

3.  Prepare

4.  Participate-It’s more fun!

5.  Respect what YOU can do.

6.  Learn from your mistakes.

7.  Maintain a positive attitude. It makes class more enjoyable and learning more interesting.

8.  Speak in Spanish as much as possible.

Attendance and Tardiness:

Many activities are done in class. Class begins on time. Tardiness and truancy issues will follow school policy, but will not be included in evaluating a student’s level of academic proficiency.

Harassment and Bullying:

Harassment of any form will not be tolerated. It is against the law. Please tell your teacher if you are the victim of harassment or bullying. Consequences will follow school policy.

Classroom Community Practices:

1.  Speak in Spanish as much as possible.

2.  Be in your seat and working when the bell rings. Have your notebook/writing utensil out and start on the Esponja activity.

3.  You are responsible for all make-up work, including all activities done in class. Check my website and talk to me outside of class to find out what you missed.

4.  Bring text, materials and other supplies everyday. Please cover your book.

5.  Listen for signal to start and stop activities.

6.  Water is welcome, but no other food or drink. It helps keep our room clean and welcoming.

7.  Respect Academic Honor Code: This means, but is not limited to, using an online translator, copying another student’s work, or using a native speaker’s help when turning in your work for a grade.

8.  You will be using a variety of technology. Please comply with all acceptable use policies.

9.  Ask permission before leaving the room. Any abuse or overuse (i.e. going to the cafeteria, leaving to use your cell phone, or using it too often, etc.) will result in suspension of privileges.

10.  Turn ALL work in on time. Late work will be accepted at the teacher’s discretion.

Class Discipline Procedures:

1st offense: Student warned. Conference with teacher.

2nd offense: Student warned. Parent contacted by teacher.

3rd offense: Teacher assigned detention or loss of privileges. Parent Contact.

Student/Parent/Teacher/Counselor Conference.

4th offense: Teacher assigned detention or loss of privileges. Parent Contact.

Student/Parent/Teacher/Counselor Conference.

5th offense: Referral to administrator.

Parent/Guardian/Student Contract (Student Copy)

Signing this document confirms that you have read all of the information and agree to the policies and expectations stated within.

Student Name

______

Student Signature

______Date: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature

______Date: ______

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Please remove this portion of the document and turn it in to Señor Vavrina as soon as possible. Failure to turn in a completed copy will result in an “Incomplete” grade.

Parent/Guardian/Student Contract (Teacher copy)

Signing this document confirms that you have read all of the information and agree to the policies and expectations stated within.

Student Name

______

Student Signature

______Date: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature

______Date: ______