SPANISH I
Semester:Fall 2009
Teacher: Sarai Vasquez
Room #:Building 50022
Phone:(352) 671-4765 ext: 50058 cell phone: 352 653-0368
Instructor E-mail:
Course Description
The Spanish I course provides an introduction to the Spanish language and to the culture of Hispanic countries, with the primary focus being on Spain. By encouraging sensitivity to, and understanding of the cultures, life styles and philosophies of Spanish-speaking people, the program of study develops language skills. These language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing will enable the student to communicate and participate in Spanish communities at home and around the world.
INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY
We will be using the FloridaVirtualSchool curriculum to teach the class. The class will be conducted in a computer lab. The students will read the modules and complete the assignments from the virtual curriculum. My role is to be a facilitator who helps the students toenrich their academic goals. The students will work in small groups, have class discussions, and individually practice on the computer. All the assignments will be completed in class. The student will complete about four special projects during the school year. The instructor will provide more information regarding these assignments. The students will complete a variety of learning activities using the Internet with the purpose of improving their critical thinking skills and communication skills using the target language.
COURSE STANDARDS/OBJECTIVES
This course has been designed for people with very little knowledge of the Spanish language or no previous experience with Spanish. With a primary goal of communication, this course will provide way for the student to exchange ideas on a variety of topics by speaking and writing in Spanish. At the end of this course the students will be able to provide and obtain information about themselves, their school, home, family and friends.
ASSESSMENT PLAN/GRADE EVALUATION
Student must complete a minimum of 5 assignments per week. The teacher will provide a calendar with the assignments that must be completed daily. The student will complete the assignments in the computer lab. All grades will be based on the point system. Each assignment and assessment will have a certain point value. At the end of each grading period, the number of points earned will be divided by the total number of possible points to derive a percentage. The percentage will then be based on the state grading scale. Most assignments will be between 10-25 points. Quizzes will be between 25-50 points, and exams will generally be 100 points. The course is divided in two semesters and for each semester the student will complete a semester exam. In order to pass the semester, the students must accomplish a minimum grade of 60%. All the final exams are proctor exams and the student will complete the final exam in the classroom.
Note: I encourage you to create a guardian account to monitor your student’s progress by going to: vsa.flvs.net and click on Apply for Parent/Guardian Account and follow the directions from the website. If you would like to access the virtual class, please let me know and I will provide your student user name and password.
The grading scale for the course will be:
A - 90 - 100% - Outstanding Progress
B - 80 - 89% - Above Average Progress
C - 70 - 79% - Average Progress
D - 60 - 69% - Below Average Progress
F - 59 and lower - Failing
The students are responsible for completing the assignments at home when they are absent.
CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT
- Respect
- Follow directions the first time they are given.
- Follow MTI’s code of conduct
- Do not add or delete anything from the computer. Do not access any Internet page without proper permission
- Do not eat or drink in the computer lab
SUPPLIES
A notebook to take notes during the lessons
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE:
Welcome to the new school year and to Spanish class. I feel eager about this upcoming school year. I taught Spanish I and II last year at MTI. This is my four year teaching. I completed my undergraduate education at Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico, where I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in Spanish and my graduate education at Nova Southeastern University, where I completed a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in technology. I am a native Spanish speaker and I was born in Cuba.
I consider that communication is the key to help your student succeed in school. Therefore, I will contact you to let you know how your student is doing in my class. If you have questions don’t hesitate to call me or e-mail me. You can call me to the school or to my cell phone after 3:30pm.
As a part of my teaching philosophy, I believe that students learn better through personal interaction and in conjunction with previously acquired knowledge and their personal goals and interest. I believe in having the students exposed to hands-on activities and interactive technology activities. These activities will help them to develop critical thinking skills. Based on this teaching philosophy, I plan the daily lessons and the learning activities.
I encourage you to visit my website to review important announcements related to the class and the assignment calendar. To visit my webpage, click on the following link:
Once again, “Bienvenidos” to Spanish class! This class is going to be fun!
Adios!
Mrs. Vasquez
My signature below indicates that I have read and understand the contents of this syllabus and what is expected of me to be successful in this class, and that I have been given a copy of this syllabus for my records. My parent/guardian’s signature below indicates I have reviewed this syllabus with my parents.
Student Signature______Date______
Parent/Guardian ______Date____________