El Sereno Middle School an International Baccalaureate World School

Language B: Intro Spanish

MYP Level 2: 7th grade

COURSE SYLLABUS
2017-2018
INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Siggins

Welcome to Spanish! As your teacher, I have certain expectations. I expect you to follow all rules, have proper school supplies, be prepared to be challenged, and always try your best! This year we will be concentrating on how to be responsible students, make good choices, work diligently, and master Spanish language skills. With your cooperation, we can look forward to an exciting and successful school year. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be contacted at (323) 224-4700 or .

A. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE: Middle Years Programme Mission

The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

B. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on meaningful communication and language as it is used in real-world situations that students are most likely to encounter. Students will first begin to develop aural and oral skills, then read and write what they can say—familiar words, commands, phrases, short sentences, and basic questions. They will learn to use predictable language in familiar settings. They will begin to develop cultural awareness and the ability to recognize the products, practices, and perspectives of the culture they study. Students will also develop insights into their own language through linguistic and cultural comparisons with the foreign language and culture they study and use the language to expand their knowledge in all content areas.

C. COURSE ORGANIZATION

Introductory Spanish students typically have no previous Spanish language experience and are therefore first being exposed to the language in this course. Topics will be presented by the instructor based on the units presented in the text Realidades. The majority of coursework will be completed and assessed in class, with weekly homework assignments due on Fridays and assessments completed in class on Fridays. Students will also have comprehensive assessments at the end of each unit. These assessments are written or oral and will cover reading, writing, listening and speaking of the Spanish language.

D. COURSE GOALS

Aims: The aims of the teaching and study of modern foreign languages are to:

  • enable the student to use language(s) effectively as a means of practical communication, providing a sound base of communication skills necessary for future study, work and leisure
  • enable the student to understand the nature of language and the process of total language learning, which comprises the integration of linguistic, cultural and social components
  • enable the student to develop an appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts
  • offer insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the language(s) is (are) spoken
  • encourage an awareness and understanding of the perspectives of people from other cultures
  • promote involvement with different communities, where relevant
  • provide access to varied sources of information
  • foster curiosity, a lifelong interest and enjoyment in language learning.

Objectives: The objectives will define what the student will be able to accomplish.

  • communicate information, ideas and opinions
  • demonstrate comprehension of specific factual information and attitudes, expressed in spoken and written contexts
  • identify main ideas and supporting details and draw conclusions from spoken and written texts
  • understand and appropriately use structures and vocabulary
  • request and provide information in both spoken and written contexts
  • engage actively in oral production using comprehensible pronunciation and intonation
  • take part in formal and informal communications.

E. TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES

  • Prentice Hall: Realidades(textbook & workbook)
  • Notebook: Five Star
  • Daily Agenda to mark projects/tests
  • Pens/pencils
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Markers/crayons/colored pencils
  • Spanish-English Dictionary
  • Various other materials related to projects (will be told ahead of time)

F. GRADING PLAN

Coursework will be weighted as follows:

1. Tests/quizzes / 30%
2. Projects / 30%
3. Classwork (Finish for HW) / 30%
4. Participation/Attendance / ____ / 10%
90% / + / 10% / + / = / 100%

Grading Scale:

90-100% + A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% - F

Notebook Policy:

  • You will have classwork/homework in your notebook everyday, but you may have an opportunity to start it in class.
  • You must record your assignments in your table of contentsin your notebook daily.
  • If you are absent you are required to copy down and complete all missed assignments.
  • Every time classwork/homework is given it will be corrected the following day, but will not be checked until Friday.

G. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Rules:

  1. Follow directions the first time given.
  2. Listen carefully when others are speaking.
  3. Come to class ready to learn with all materials.
  4. Respect others.
  5. Always do your BEST!

Consequences:

  1. Verbal Warning
  2. Seat Change
  3. Last to be Dismissed
  4. Parent Contact
  5. Behavior Conference

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Please complete and sign the bottom portion of this page. Your child must return it by August ______.

I have read the above information regarding my child’s Spanish class.

Students’ Name: ______

Parents’ Names: ______

Parent Phone Number: ______

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______