Spanish 2 Syllabus

Español 2011-12

Spanish 2

Teacher: Anna Kristensen (anna@compass-school.org)

Dear students and parents,

Welcome back to Spanish 2! This semester we will explore more of how to express oneself in the present tense. Along with grammar lessons and in-class activities, we will explore the language through SymTalk, an image based learning technique. To accompany our exploration of the grammar and syntax, we will read the story of Alejandro, a Mexican boy who travels to Spain with his family, and who is swept imaginatively into the culture and history of the Iberian peninsula. Through the story of Alejandro, we will discuss and learn about Spanish, cultural topics including food, festivals, religion, and famouns authors. The grammar topics we will cover this semester include more verbs like 'gustar', reflexive verbs, basic adverbs, and direct object pronouns. Besides discovering new topics, we will continue to learn more verbs and vocabulary appropriate to our readings and cultural topics.

The weekly schedule this semester will follow this format; SymTalk and new grammar topics on Mondays, reading comprehension work on Tuesdays, grammar exercises on Wednesdays, writing and cultural topics on Thursdays, and audio-visual explorations, and weekly quizes on Fridays. Students will be expected to continue writing in their journals from last semester, and will have a group assignment at the end of the semester. Homework will include grammar exercises, readings and project work.

Here are some helpful hints and expectations for my class, the full year’s curriculum, and the report card which shows exactly what you will be assessed on this year in Spanish class. Please read them, the attached curriculum outline, and report card for our first and second semesters. I know this is a heavy load of information, but I have found it to be helpful for the success of all students in this class.

 
Organization of “El Cuaderno” (Spanish Binder): You are required to get and always bring to class a separate 3-ringed binder exclusively for Spanish. Because there is no “official” textbook for this class, and your binder will be the main source from which you study. It will be a valuable tool for up to six years at Compass and life after High School. DO NOT use an oversized binder. Instead, use one that is sized so you can transport it with ease from day to day. Upon introduction to new language and concepts, you will receive a colored, three hole punched reference sheet. These reference sheets (called “hojas principales”) will be the main study guides for quizzes, tests, and exams. Parents can always follow along by asking about the most current study sheet. You are expected to keep handouts that are three-hole punched, and to maintain an organized binder. (Check out Organization indicator on report card). Please divide your “cuaderno” into three sections:

1. Section #1 LAS HOJAS PRINCIPALES (Main study sheets) Each new hoja principal should be placed on top.

2. Section#2 LA PRACTICA Y APUNTES Practice sheets and a few sheets of lined paper for notes to be taken in class.

3. Section#3 PORTFOLIO Use the end of your notebook as an archive section to put quizzes, exams and other notable Spanish work so you can study from them and have it handy for your portfolio or P.O.L.’s (Presentations of Learning).

Materials to Always Bring to Class

1. Spanish Binder

2. Something to write with

3. Planner/Calendar for writing assignments

4. Homework (if given)

What happens if I miss a day of school

It is your responsibility as the student to find out what happened in class and get missed notes, hand- outs, and homework assignments. To get a copy of a missed handout, look in the “Ausente” folder on my desk. Your name will be on any missed handouts with the date you were absent. In most cases, you will have one day for each day missed to make up homework. Please check in with me at 12:00 or any time during lunch if you have questions or concerns when you are absent. (I am at school from 8:00-12:40 every day).

Quizzes and Final Semester Exam

Students will have several small quizzes, either written or oral, at the end of every unit. A final will also be given at the end of the semester, which will cover all the material from the semester. Unless you have an I.E.P. which suggests otherwise, quizzes and exams will be taken in the classroom (never the big room), and there is no talking allowed while taking them. You can not retake quizzes, BUT you can re-submit a fully corrected quiz for extra credit.

My homework philosophy:

Learning a language requires lots of practice and repetition. In order to remember what we go over in class you need to work on Spanish in between class times. I don’t believe in homework for the sake of keeping you busy. I know you have lives outside of school! The homework I assign is to help you stay on top of what we are learning. Whether it’s a grammar worksheet, a creative visual project, or studying for a quiz, my hope is that it will keep you engaged in learning Spanish but not bog you down in busy-work.

Homework Late Policy

• If your work is late and you didn’t have a legitimate extension arranged with me, your work will result (1) in a grade drop for that assignment—a third of a grade for every day late (A drops to A-) and (2), your “Self Direction” grade on your report card in the Personal Development realm will be affected. (You start with an A+—goes down with each assignment).

• Homework will be written down every day in the same place—you will need to clearly copy your HW every class before you leave in the Compass planner, or wherever you write down your HW. I will TRY to have HW written on my Compass HW website for each class, but I admit—I am not good at updating it every day. (I am working on this!)

• On time work is not work that needs to be e-mailed to me, or that needs to be printed out. It is work that is ready to be worked with or handed in at the beginning of class.

• If you know you will have a problem with completing an assignment (family event, a special opportunity, etc.) talk to me as soon as possible before the assignment is due. I am flexible and will give you an extension IF you take responsibility and communicate with me. I understand you have lives outside of Spanish class. Email me at anna@compass-school.org

Respect, Listening and Behavior 1-2-3 policy

It’s important to remember the success of the class largely depends on how comfortable students feel practicing the language in front of the rest of the class. Let’s keep it positive by supporting each other by being respectful in language, actions, and attitudes. I find that at Compass, the problem is usually not someone intentionally acting rudely with terrible behavior, but rather, is the seemingly innocent act of talking out of turn and adding unnecessary side tangents. (See “Self Discipline,” Indicator on the report card).

So, if a student is compromising the quality of the learning environment, they will be given two clear warnings. If the student continues with the negative behavior, they will be sent out of the class to sit in the chair in the hallway and write a reflective letter to me about what happened. Parent(s)/ Guardians will be notified. If this becomes a pattern, an S.S.T meeting will be scheduled with at least your advisor, parent(s), and me.

Body Language: Look Like You are Paying Attention:

What does this mean? That you are bright-eyed, sunglass-free, sitting up, not texting, following the eyes of whoever has the floor (me or another student), and that you in general have an appearance that suggests you are poised to learn! This helps me, the teacher, know that you are OK, helps others feel respected and listened to, and helps you be more present and open to learning in class.

Using Translators and Computer Use:

When using translators or translation systems, students should limit themselves to vocabulary and isolated phrasing only—as you would use a dictionary. My favorite dictionaries on line are http://www.spanishdict.com and www.wordreference.com.

The computer will be used occasionally for research and outside of class. Generally, there will be no need for laptops in class.

Spanish Speaking and Listening Rubrics for Class Time

It is critical to take advantage of every opportunity to listen and practice speaking in Spanish during class and to demonstrate full involvement during class conversation circles and group speaking activities. At this level, students are expected to speak only in Spanish as I introduce new language, during our conversation circles, and group immersion activities/simulations. (At times, I will give cultural lectures entirely in English.) I will clearly let students know when they are expected to only speak in Spanish and abandon English entirely. We can take this class as far as we want—the more motivated students are to LISTEN to each other and USE all the language we’ve learned in class, the more we will all learn. Students will be assessed often after classes on their effort and ability to try out the language and their ability to listen and follow the Spanish of others during these immersion activities.

Speaking Participation Rubric for Language Immersion Activities

Listening Participation Rubric for Language Immersion Activities