Schedule
1st Period: Spanish I Rm
710
2ndPeriod: Spanish I Rm
712
3rd Period: Spanish I
Rm 911
First Lunch
4th Period: Spanish I Rm 711
5th Period: Planning
6th Period: Planning
7th Period: Spanish I
Rm 713
Course
Description:
Spanish 1 is designed to introduce
students to the language and to provide them with a foundation of vocabulary,
grammar and pronunciation abilities upon which they will build in future levels
of study. Consistent with the SC state framework for modern languages, emphasis
will be placed on communicating in the target language. In this course,
students will definitely be encouraged to speak up… in Spanish, of course!
Units will focus on building cultural awareness, making interdisciplinary
connections, drawing comparisons between languages and cultures, and learning
to use the target language within our school community and the broader regional
and global communities.
Course Content
Standards can be found at http://ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/cso/standards/.
Required
Materials:
The textbooks issued for this class are Avancemos 1, McDougal Littell, Workbook 1 and Lecturas 1. In
order to arrive to class prepared and equipped to succeed, students should
bring the following:
a. One three-ring binder (1 or 1.5 inches) with plenty
of notebook paper (can be shared with another class)
b.Five notebook dividers, labeled “Bell ringers, Vocabulary, Verbs, Other
Grammar, and Graded Work.”
c. Pencils and pens for notes and assignments—NO RED (and preferably no pink)
d.Spanish-English dictionary
e. Donation to class, if possible—tissue and/or
hand sanitizer, please!
Expectations:
Learning a foreign language has many rewards and can
be a lot fun, but it also takes great effort. My expectations are high for all students. I
expect the following:
·
Students
will demonstrate responsibility for their learning by listening, participating,
taking good notes, completing assignments on time, staying organized, and
displaying effort on a daily basis.
·
Honest
work—cheating and dishonesty will not be tolerated. Copying from other
students’ work, using online translators, and cheating during tests/quizzes
will result in a zero (0) and a referral. Please display integrity!
·
Students
will follow the rules of my classroom and the JL Mann policies.
·
Students
will respect themselves and every member of the class.
·
Students
will request extra assistance when necessary.
Classroom
Procedures:
Lessons and instructional practices from one day to the next will vary
greatly, but the order of class will remain similar on a day-to-day basis.
· Students should go directly to their assigned
seat and begin the “Bell Ringer” exercise.
· Students are to quietly remain in their seats
to ensure they are not marked tardy or absent.
· Homework is to be submitted to the trays in the
front of the classroom or passed forward when requested.
· Students will participate by raising their
hands to speak or by following the instructions for assigned group/partner
work.
Grading Plan:
The district grading scale is as follows:
A =
93-100
B =
85-92
C =
77-84
D = 70-76
F = 63-69 (Partial GPR point credit)
F = 62 or
Below (No GPR point credit)
Assessments in the World Language classroom
reflect and mirror performance-based instructional activities taking place in
the classroom on a daily basis. They allow students to demonstrate what
they know and can do in the language, showing their progress toward increased
language proficiency in multiple ways using real-world tasks. In Modern Languages,
a balance across the three modes of communication is critical. Assessing
students using these three modes (interpretive, interpersonal, and
presentational) reminds teacher and students that all three are necessary to
function and communicate in real-world situations.
Interpretive
tasks are one-way listening or
reading activities in which students must demonstrate an understanding of what
they have heard or read.
Interpersonal
tasks are two-way,
interactive, typically speaking activities that require students to communicate
in a spontaneous manner without the use of a written script.
Presentational
tasks are prepared, generally
formal speaking or writing activities involving one-way communication to an
audience of listeners or speakers.
In general, the grades will be based on a
compilation of the above criteria and will be later categorized as: Tests and
Projects (Major Assessments)—60 %; Quizzes and Homework (Minor Assessments)—40 %
(with quizzes valuing 30% and homework 10% of the minor assessment category).
Homework Policy:
Homework is due on the assigned due date. Late homework will only be
accepted under teacher discretion for 50% credit. In addition, it will be
essential to keep an organized notebook; all work and assessments will be
cumulative throughout the year and serve as beneficial points of reference.
Missed Work /
Make-up Policy
In accordance with school policy, students have FIVE days to make up assignments due to an absence. It is the
student’s responsibility to get missed notes and makeup assignments from me at
the end of class on the day they return to school. Since assignments are given
to reinforce what is learned in class, I recommend that students make up this
missed work as soon as possible. If a student fails to make up the missed work
within the 5 days, s/he will receive a zero for that assignment.
Extra Assistance
Policy:
Learning a language takes great commitment and a lot of effort, and
students often find additional help beneficial. I have two requirements for
students who need assistance outside of class: 1) the student must request a
session 24 hours in advance to confirm my availability; 2) the student must be
demonstrating effort in the classroom; tutoring is not a substitute for paying
attention and studying. I am available Tuesday or Thursday mornings (8:00-8:35).
If our schedules conflict, please contact me to arrange a more convenient time.
Attendance and
Tardy Policy:
Students are expected to arrive to class on
time and to be in their seats, ready to work when class begins. I will follow
the school policies for students who arrive tardy or are absent.
Rules for
Student Behavior:
Students are expected to follow the rules of JL Mann and my classroom at
all times. Students who fail to conduct themselves appropriately will accept
the consequences for their misbehavior. My classroom rules include:
1)
Arrive on time
wearing ID, have a seat, and begin the “Bell Ringer” activity.
2)
Come
prepared with all materials on a daily basis, including a positive attitude!
3)
Show
respect for yourself, classmates, teacher, and the classroom.
4)
Raise your
hand to ask a question or to comment, and listen when the teacher is speaking.
5)
Pay
attention and participate in all activities.
6)
Notify
teacher with any concerns or problems.
7)
Cell
phones and other electronic devices (iPods, etc.) are not permitted in class.
Consequences:
First Offense: Verbal Warning
Second Offense: Student/Teacher Conference
Third Offense: Parent/Guardian Contact
Fourth Offense: Referral
*If
necessary, an offense can result in an immediate referral.
Pacing Guide and
Learning Goals:
The following units of study are based on the
SC Curriculum Framework for Spanish I, which focuses on the “Five C’s” of
language learning—Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons and
Communities:
1st Quarter / Introduction & Unit
1: “My Friends and I”
2nd Quarter / Unit 2: “My School
Life”
3rd Quarter / Unit 3: “My Free Time”
4th Quarter / Unit 4: “My Community”
In addition to the above information,
supplementary reading, communication and writing activities, TV and video
programs, films and music will also be incorporated into weekly lessons to
reinforce grammar and vocabulary.
Communication with
Parents:
Parents and
students are encouraged to check PowerSchool for weekly grades. If you do
not have access to the internet, I will gladly send home a printed
copy of the report upon request. Please know that you are always welcome to
email me at ebighia@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-355-4775 if you have any
questions, comments, or concerns. All emails and phone calls will be returned
as promptly as possible.