COURSE SYLLABUS SPANISH 5-6

Point Loma High School 2015-2016

Señora Rubio

Course title: Spanish 5-6 Books: En Español 3 textbook (please keep at home or in locker)

Teacher: Donna Rubio Email: drubio1@sandi.net (I respond more quickly to emails)

Room: 251 Phone: 619 223-3121 x 4251

Tutoring: by appointment at Advisory or lunch

¡BIENVENIDO A LA CLASE DE ESPAÑOL!

Welcome to Spanish class!

OVERVIEW We live in an ever-changing, interdependent world in which diverse cultures and languages come together. New language learning should involve interaction with others; whether they are on another continent, across town, or within the neighborhood. To study a language means not only to study its words and grammar but also the culture in which it is used. “Knowing how, when, and why to say what to whom” is the key to good communication and is the primary objective of my classes.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Our Spanish 5-6 course is designed to involve students in reading, writing, speaking and listening in the Spanish language and to build upon existing skills. The teaching method in this class will focus on Comprehensible Input (CI) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling).CI and TPRS emphasize mastery and proficiency in the language rather than short term memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules. My goal is for students to acquire Spanish by focusing on high frequency words and structures. Students will be actively engaged and will be expected to participate voluntarily and when called upon. The target language (Spanish) is spoken 90% or more of the time as endorsed by ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

WHAT WILL WE DO IN CLASS? In this class you will learn to read, write, speak and understand Spanish. We will read stories and authentic texts, learn about Spanish speaking countries and their cultures, listen to songs, and watch select videos. In adherence to the California State Framework and the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning, we will work on the following proficiencies: reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture.

You will acquire high frequency Spanish structures by studying relevant, real-world theme based units based on the California World Language Standards (Content, Communication, Cultures, Structures and Settings). Each student will be encouraged to achieve the highest ACTFL proficiency standard of which they are capable.

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?
Your final grade will be based
on the following:
Reading 25%
Writing 25%
Speaking 20%
Listening 20%
Engagement 10%* / In this class all assessments will be unannounced.
I never test students on material that I am not totally confident they have acquired. If a student is present and engaged each day and does some review at home, unannounced assessments are not stressful. Students just see them as another class activity which allows them to show what they know.

*ENGAGEMENT. I believe that if a student is engaged in class, language acquisition will happen naturally at the pace each student is capable of progressing.

The following factors are considered to determine the “engagement” grade:

·  Listening with an intent to understand

·  Using English only when asked

·  Signaling when you don’t understand and when you need the teacher to slow down

·  Maintaining a positive attitude toward class activities and toward classmates

·  Responding appropriately to teacher cues by doing gestures, contributing answers/ideas

·  Responding to statements/questions with short answers and full sentences

·  Being present every day with all materials, seated and ready to work when the bell rings

·  Keeping reference materials (spiral notebook) organized and accessible

·  Having nothing on desk or lap unless the teacher has specified otherwise

·  Not using phone or earphones during class

·  Not holding side conversations or blurting out

WHAT ABOUT HOMEWORK? It is helpful for students to study the focus structures/vocabulary each night to reinforce what was covered in class. Therefore the daily homework for this class will be to study Spanish in some way for 15 minutes every day. The first thing students should study is the vocabulary, structures, and class readings. I will also recommend additional study aids for students who feel they need more practice. You will know that you have studied enough when you are able to do the following:

1.  Read and hear each structure in Spanish and say/write what it means in English

2.  Read and hear each structure in English and say/write what it means in Spanish.

3.  Manipulate the structure to create something new by using different verbs, subjects or tenses

If students feel confident that they know the class structures, they may listen to Spanish music, watch Spanish media, or read Spanish texts or practice duolingo.com for the remainder of their 15 minutes.

*Although homework does not appear in the grading policy as a percent of the grade, all quizzes are unannounced and studying each night will help you be prepared for the assessments. Assessments will often “recycle” previously learned structures, so it is always helpful to review “old” structures along with new ones.

WHAT DO I DO IF I NEED HELP?

If you have questions about your performance in the class or need help, please speak to me to set up an appointment during advisory or at lunch so that we can talk about it. If parents have questions about their student’s performance, please email me so that together we may work towards helping your child. Email: drubio1@sandi.net (don’t forget the 1 after drubio)

MATERIALS

This year we will be using an interactive notebook in Spanish class. In order for your student to be more successful in Spanish class a spiral notebook of at least 10 ½ by 8 dedicated only to Spanish is recommended. A section of a multiple subject spiral notebook will NOT work. It must be AN ENTIRE spiral notebook dedicated ONLY to Spanish (5 star brand is recommended). Please let Profe know if you are unable to acquire a spiral notebook so that she can get you one.

I look forward to a fantastic year with you!

-PROFE RUBIO

PS. NOTE TO STUDENTS: Do not worry if you feel like you have forgotten everything from Spanish 3-4 over the summer, or if you feel that you never knew it well to begin with. Review of material from Spanish 1-2 and 3-4 is built into our lessons, and it is my goal to make everything comprehensible (understandable) for you, and even fun. Participation in this class does not mean that you always give the correct answer. It means that you are willing to try to use Spanish in a genuine attempt at learning the material, stay engaged, and that you ask questions when the material is unclear.

TEACHER WISH LIST (in case you want to help out J )

1.  Encourage your student to listen to Spanish music, view Spanish media, read Spanish

texts, explore the art and culture of Spanish speaking countries and use duolingo.com

2.  Contribute props (masks, wigs, costumes, etc) to make our class stories more fun

3.  A box of Kleenex is always appreciated

4.  A gift of spiral notebooks for the students who are unable to obtain one is helpful

5.  Scissors (the adult kind) and scotch tape make it easier for kids to quickly affix handouts to their “cuaderno” (spiral notebook)

Please read the syllabus that is posted on pointlomahigh.com on Profe Rubio’s webpage. Then turn in this paper to Profe Rubio. Let Profe know if you need a hard copy of the syllabus.

Syllabus for SPANISH 5-6 with Profe Rubio

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Thank you for taking the time to read about our class. Please sign when you have done so. Return this sheet to school immediately.

I have read and understand Profe Rubio’s Class Description and agree to fully abide by its terms. I realize that I am responsible for what is contained in this document whether or not I actually read it.

Student name (please print): ______

Student signature: ______Date: ______

Parent name: ______

Parent signature: ______Date: ______

Parent contact phone number: ______

Parent contact e-mail: ______

CELL PHONE POLICY: please do NOT expect your student to answer any phone calls or texts from you during class time. Cell phone use for personal business is not allowed in class. The student engagement grade is lowered when students use their phone in class for personal business. If it truly is time sensitive issue or an emergency, please contact the office and they will make sure that your student gets the message.

PARENTS: Please tell me something unique or special about your student. Also, is there anything specific that you would like me to know about him/her in order to teach them? For example: learning or health issues, a recent hardship that they are dealing with, something that I should know to make Spanish class more comfortable for them. ______

If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to send me an e-mail at .. I will make an effort to return your message within 24 hours.

Videotaping/photos: Students may be filmed or photographed for certain assignments. These images will be used ONLY within the school setting (for example – a poster on the wall or a skit filmed outside class that will be shown later to the whole class or photos on the World Language board for new student night). Please check below if you do NOT want your child to be filmed or photographed.

__ I DO NOT WANT IMAGES OF MY CHILD USED FOR ANY REASON.

Parent signature:______

Students may also be asked to bring photos to class or to email the teacher photos of themselves that will be used in class. For example – a photo of them with their pet that would be part of a class discussion about what different kinds of pets kids in our class have, or a photo of them dressed up at Halloween that might become a story told in class (Susie the Vampire goes to the dentist). Please speak to your student if you do not feel comfortable with them sharing images of themselves with the class. I would also never share anything with the class that I felt was inappropriate (even if they felt that it was perfectly acceptable!)

Please return this page to Profe Rubio tomorrow. ¡Muchas gracias!