SPANISH 1 COURSE SYLLABUS 2016-2017
Sra. M. Mizusawa
Course Description
Spanish 1 students learn the proper pronunciation of Spanish, basic vocabulary on various themes, useful phrases & expressions, how to conjugate verbs in the present tense and have a basic understanding of simple sentence structure & how to ask questions. They learn beginning grammar concepts that form the foundation of their language study. It is important that they master these concepts, as well as memorize vocabulary & verb conjugation, because this helps them transition into the next level. Culture is also an important part of their Spanish 1 experience.
Spanish 1 Topics
1. Greetings, time, numbers, alphabet, calendar, classroom objects, body parts, weather, seasons, countries
2. Express likes/dislikes, places
3. Food, drink, meals
4. Health, feelings & emotions
5. Family, friends, cultural events.
6. Travel, shopping
Course Expectations
In order to become proficient in a foreign language, students must actively participate in their own learning, both in and outside of class. Therefore, it is important that students, 1) attend class daily; 2) work to the best of their ability—individually, in pairs, or with a team; 3) follow and respect school and classroom policies; 4) have a positive attitude about learning; 5) do homework regularly and participate actively in class work; 6) bring book and supplies to class; and 7) take good notes and review them. Outside of class, students need to complete assignments on time; study daily to review notes and new concepts; memorize vocabulary, phrases, and patterns; and practice pronunciation to develop fluency.
To become a successful language learner, this requires a commitment on your part from the very first level of Spanish. Focus on building a strong foundation.
Supplies
1. journal
2. blue/black ink pen for quizzes & exams
3. notebook or folder paper for notes
4. textbook (bring to class daily)
5. supplies for projects
Classroom Procedures
1. Turn in homework when the bell rings, at the beginning of class, on the date it is due. No late work is accepted, unless student was excused absent.
2. Be ready for quiz or exam with your blue or black ink pen.
3. Bring your textbook to class daily & keep it covered to protect it. You will be charged for damage to the cover and inside the book.
4. When the Writing, Audio & Video workbook is used (class copy), please write your answers on loose leaf paper or notebook.
5. Students are responsible for obtaining assignments, making up quiz or exam, for an excused absence, within the time frame designated by school. Unexcused absences do not allow you to make up quizzes or exams.
6. Students are expected to do their own work, no copying or cheating.
7. Use of a translator (whether another person or an online translation program or service) to do assignments, letters, journals, projects, etc. is prohibited, because it is does not allow you to learn by practice nor learn from your mistakes. By using a translator to do the work, it is not your own work, therefore you will not earn credit. A translator often limits the choice of words and does not provide the range of vocabulary that a large dictionary has. A7 has many large dictionaries in class for students to use.
8. Use of the dictionary is encouraged to foster development of vocabulary and the skill of determining the correct word to select (adjective, noun, verb, adverb, preposition, etc.). Many large dictionaries & other reference materials are available to students in class.
Classroom Rules
1. Sit in your assigned seats daily. Cooperative learning teams are changed each quarter. Sometimes, you will be able to pick your own partner or team for certain activities like making a piñata.
2. No writing or drawing on classroom furniture.
3. Dispose of trash in trash can and recycle bottles and cans in bin. No food is allowed, unless we have a cultural food activity.
4. Contraband items should not be in sight or they will be confiscated and turned into the office.
5. Try to limit your use of the bathroom, during class time, because there are breaks between classes. If you have a medical reason for going to the bathroom more often, please submit documentation to the office so that they can notify all the teachers.
6. Follow the class motto, SALSA. S=Stay on task/A=Always be responsible for your own work, as an individual or as a team/L=Listen actively while others speak/S=Show respect to get respect or Show Aloha!/A=Act with a positive attitude.
7. No credit is given for cheating, copying, plagiarism, or using a translator. If you are translating a phrase or sentence, using a translator—that is already too much help and not your own effort to practice, apply or learn. If more than that is translated with a translator, then it is not your own work; so no credit will be given. Student will be counseled and depending on the seriousness, a conference between parent/student/teacher/administrator may follow.
8. Be aware that Chapter 19 rules apply for academic dishonesty.
9. Be careful when using scissors and equipment in class to avoid injuries.
Course Objectives (World Language Standards)
A. Interpersonal Communication: Use target language to engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feeling and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1. Ask and answer questions to get information and clarify something that has not been clearly understood.
2. Provide details to elaborate on familiar topics and ask clarifying questions.
B. Interpretive Communication: Understand and interpret written and spoken language on diverse topics from diverse media.
1. Identify the main ideas and significant details of oral and written material with limited visual cues.
C. Presentational Communication: Present information, concepts and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
1. Use oral language skills to present a narrative, descriptive, or factual report relating to personal or familiar experiences and events.
D. Cultures: Understand relationships among perspectives, products and practices of target culture.
1. Describe the impact of one’s own culture and target culture on each other.
2. Use appropriate language and gestures to interact in a wide range of social contexts.
E. Comparisons: Understand that different languages use different patterns to communicate and apply this knowledge to the target and native languages.
1. Describe similarities and differences in structural patterns of the language being learned and other languages.
General Learner Outcomes (GLO) Students will be:
1. Self-Directed Learners with the ability to be responsible for their own learning.
2. Community Contributors who understand that it is essential for people to work together.
3. Complex Thinkers with critical thinking and problem solving skills.
4. Quality Producers with the ability to recognize and produce quality performance and quality products.
5. Effective Communicators.
6. Effective and Ethical Users of Technology with the ability to use a variety of technologies effectively and ethically.
Assessment Plan
A. Homework will be awarded credit, based on completeness of the assignment. Emphasis is placed on the application of skills learned in class, and homework is good practice for this application of skills. No late work is accepted, unless student was absent excused. Homework is essential in the language learning process. Practice outside of class is necessary for skills development.
B. Quizzes are given for new vocabulary learned, concepts introduced, grammar patterns, etc. to check for mastery.
C. Chapter exam is given, upon completion of each chapter. Semester exam and final exam are cumulative exams. Language learning is an ongoing process in which you constantly build upon prior knowledge that you need to retain.
D. Class journals help to develop writing skills, as well as reading comprehension. Reinforcement of vocabulary, grammar patterns, verb conjugation in different tenses, current events and cultural knowledge are woven in the journals.
E. Projects may include culture projects in English or simple Spanish, presentational projects in Spanish (poster, poem, skit), research project, etc.
F. Oral participation is important for language skills development. Students are observed, as they interact with each other and participate in class activities.
G. Listening comprehension activities from the Realidades 1 video program and audio tapes combine with the workbook practice.
Grading Policy
Rubrics will be used to score projects, oral presentations, and some cultural activities. All other learning activities such as oral participation, homework, classwork, & quizzes will be scored on a point system. Exams are scored using both rubrics and point system.
Tutoring is available after school with Sra. Mizusawa. To contact her by email: or by phone: #305-6414 and leave a message.
Tutoring is available on most Mondays and Fridays, after school. Please make arrangements with Sra. Mizusawa.
Special Notes:
1. Spanish Club is open to all students. Spanish Club does service projects in the school and community, has social activities with other Spanish Clubs, and sponsors cultural activities.
2. Anyone interested in volunteering to visit the Spanish classes? We are looking for people of Hispanic background to be interviewed or someone willing to teach cultural traditions (music, dance, food, arts, etc.). Please let Sra. Mizusawa know via email or phone (see above).
Muchas gracias for your interest in your child’s Spanish course. Looking forward to a wonderful year! Please sign, date, and return the signature page to indicate that you have read the course syllabus.