You live a new life for every new language you speak.If you know only one language, you live only once.Czech proverb
I believe in the power of language to reach personal goals and dreams all over the world! I hope for you that learning Spanish will be at least as enriching and life defining as it has been for me. I speak three different languages, I have lived in three different countries, and I have loved every moment of it!
Based on the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning, in this course you will grow in your ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in a culturally appropriate manner. As a consequence of learning another language and gaining access to its unique means of communication, you will have a “new window on the world.” You will develop understanding of the nature of language and the concept of culture through comparisons of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures and your own.
I hope that you will be able to realize the advantages inherent in being able to communicate in more than one language. Será un placer ser tu maestra de Español!
Class Rules
Student Contract
Materials
Vocabulary spiral notebook, 5x7 (Spanish only)
Designated section of a large binder
Portfolio file folder with transparent cover (Spanish only)
Así Se Dice Book
Access Code for Así Se Dice Online Resources
Participation and Use of the Spanish Language
There is a key aspect to become a successful language learner: participation, participation, and participation!
Without participating in class discussions or volunteering opinions or homework answers, you are missing out on a wonderful experience of building basic knowledge already in your second year of Spanish. It's like learning how to ride a bike! You can't just learn out of a textbook about it, you need to jump on and have a try for yourself.
Additionally, you are expected to speak voluntarily in Spanish every day. It is ok to make mistakes, there is no other way to learn! The more Spanish you use in class with your classmates and me, the more "boletos" and better grade you will earn.
Homework
Doing homework and reviewing it for your classmates is part of your participation grade. It is always due on the next day unless stated differently.
It will include:
Participation in wallwisher.com
Recordings
Community Outreach
Paso a Paso 2 - Workbook
Online activities w/email reporting
Homework will be
checked daily
graded regularly
Culture
Additionally to learning Spanish as a language, we will learn about practices and products of Hispanic cultures.
Once you have learned Spanish, you will also need to know what to do, when, and where to be successful in the Hispanic world.
We will study several works of art, tales, rituals, dances, artifacts, and more from Hispanic origin to enrich your learning.
All cultural aspects reviewed in class can be part of any assessment.
Vocabulary
You are responsible for transferring the vocabulary of each unit into the vocabulary notebook, Spanish and English. You are also responsible for keeping it up to date.
The vocabulary notebook will be graded regularly.
Vocabulary Quizzes:
POP
Announced
Portfolio
Your portfolio is a special collection of your work over the whole school year. It will contain:
10 mandatory entries
5 entries of your choice
Oral Presentations
Mi juguete favorito - My very special childhood toy (6 sentences). September 2011
Mis mejores vacaciones - My favorite vacation (8 sentences). November 2012
Mis 4 metas personales para los próximos 8 años. - My personal four goals for the next 8 years (10 sentences). January 2012
Mini-Skit
Self-choice of topic (needs my approval).
Self-choice of groups (5-6 students). Choose wisely, positive group attitude is more fun and will help you learn better.
It will be assigned at the beginning of the second semester and it will be due in April 2012.
Late Work and Extra Credit
One day late : 50%, no credit after that.
You are responsible for making up assignments.
All assignments will be posted on this website.
There will be no extra-credit.
Academic Honesty
Honesty in all work is expected at all times. Plagiarism, distribution/sharing of class assignments or test information, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, technology malpractice or any other form of cheating is a serious offense and will result in a 0 for the assignment. Subsequent offenses will follow school procedure outlined in your student handbook.
Grading (1st Semester)
Homework/Participation 20%
Speaking in Spanish 15%
Quizzes (includes Portfolios, Vocabulary, Oral Presentations) 20%
Tests 30%
Final Exam 15%
Your hard work and level of commitment will help you earn good grades. Grades will be posted on-line on a regular basis. Your grade shouldn't be a surprise at the end of the semester.
There will be no rounding of final grades.
Grading (2nd Semester)
Homework/Participation 20%
Speaking in Spanish 15%
Quizzes (includes Portfolios, Vocabulary, Mini-Skits) 20%
Tests 30%
Final Exam 15%
You are responsible for checking that the scores are accurate. Keeping all papers to assure that your scores are entered correctly is a good idea!
Open Communication
We are a learning community and as such, mutual respect is an imperative.
A big part of my work as your Spanish teacher is to provide you with effective feedback so that you can improve your learning.
This works the other way around too! I value my students' opinions and points of view. Please talk to me about everything that is working for you as well as what is not as soon as you notice, or use the feedback form available in class. Don't wait until a long-term conflict develops because it will be more difficult to solve.
I believe in the power of language to reach personal goals and dreams all over the world! I hope for you that learning Spanish will be at least as enriching and life defining as it has been for me. I speak three different languages, I have lived in three different countries, and I have loved every moment of it!
Based on the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning, in this course you will grow in your ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in a culturally appropriate manner. As a consequence of learning another language and gaining access to its unique means of communication, you will have a “new window on the world.” You will develop understanding of the nature of language and the concept of culture through comparisons of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures and your own.
I hope that you will be able to realize the advantages inherent in being able to communicate in more than one language. Será un placer ser tu maestra de Español!
There is a key aspect to become a successful language learner: participation, participation, and participation!
Without participating in class discussions or volunteering opinions or homework answers, you are missing out on a wonderful experience of building basic knowledge already in your second year of Spanish. It's like learning how to ride a bike! You can't just learn out of a textbook about it, you need to jump on and have a try for yourself.
Additionally, you are expected to speak voluntarily in Spanish every day. It is ok to make mistakes, there is no other way to learn! The more Spanish you use in class with your classmates and me, the more "boletos" and better grade you will earn.
Doing homework and reviewing it for your classmates is part of your participation grade. It is always due on the next day unless stated differently.
It will include:
- Participation in wallwisher.com
- Recordings
- Community Outreach
- Paso a Paso 2 - Workbook
- Online activities w/email reporting
Homework will beAdditionally to learning Spanish as a language, we will learn about practices and products of Hispanic cultures.
Once you have learned Spanish, you will also need to know what to do, when, and where to be successful in the Hispanic world.
We will study several works of art, tales, rituals, dances, artifacts, and more from Hispanic origin to enrich your learning.
All cultural aspects reviewed in class can be part of any assessment.
You are responsible for transferring the vocabulary of each unit into the vocabulary notebook, Spanish and English. You are also responsible for keeping it up to date.
The vocabulary notebook will be graded regularly.
Vocabulary Quizzes:
Your portfolio is a special collection of your work over the whole school year. It will contain:
One day late : 50%, no credit after that.
You are responsible for making up assignments.
All assignments will be posted on this website.
There will be no extra-credit.
Honesty in all work is expected at all times. Plagiarism, distribution/sharing of class assignments or test information, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, technology malpractice or any other form of cheating is a serious offense and will result in a 0 for the assignment. Subsequent offenses will follow school procedure outlined in your student handbook.
Homework/Participation 20%
Speaking in Spanish 15%
Quizzes (includes Portfolios, Vocabulary, Oral Presentations) 20%
Tests 30%
Final Exam 15%
Your hard work and level of commitment will help you earn good grades. Grades will be posted on-line on a regular basis. Your grade shouldn't be a surprise at the end of the semester.
There will be no rounding of final grades.
Homework/Participation 20%
Speaking in Spanish 15%
Quizzes (includes Portfolios, Vocabulary, Mini-Skits) 20%
Tests 30%
Final Exam 15%
You are responsible for checking that the scores are accurate. Keeping all papers to assure that your scores are entered correctly is a good idea!
We are a learning community and as such, mutual respect is an imperative.
A big part of my work as your Spanish teacher is to provide you with effective feedback so that you can improve your learning.
This works the other way around too! I value my students' opinions and points of view. Please talk to me about everything that is working for you as well as what is not as soon as you notice, or use the feedback form available in class. Don't wait until a long-term conflict develops because it will be more difficult to solve.