Español 2011-2012

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH 1

Teacher: Liz Jackson (liz@compass-school.org)

Dear students and parents,

     ¡Bienvenidos a clase de español! DID YOU KNOW that over 500 million people speak Spanish in the world today? Spanish is the second most natively spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and used as an official language of the European Union. .

For many reasons which we will talk about in more depth in class, Spanish is widely considered to be the most beneficial second language for a native speaker of English. It is the easiest second language for English speakers to learn. Once you go through the process of learning Spanish, your brain will learn other languages with much more ease. (Have you ever thought about being trilingual?) You enter a great place by learning Spanish. The world opens up to you. Take advantage of getting a head start with Spanish. Most students in Vermont don’t get this level of instruction until High School.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.

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 (fabulous pen or pencil)
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 “Were you absent binder?” 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 12:00-2:30 every day).

Quizzes and Final Semester Exam

Students will have several small quizzes, either written or oral, during a given unit. A Final will also be given at the end of each trimester that will cover all the material from the trimester. 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

 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 grade for every day late (A drops to A/B) 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. 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.

¡Disfruta la clase!

Español: Introduccíon

Content and assessments for second semester :

2012 Liz Jackson

A. Grammar: VERBOS

ñ Learn more “-AR” verbs

ñ Learn how to conjugate “-ER” and “-IR” verbs

ñ Continue learning “ESTAR” and “IR” Verbs

ñ Vocabulary: colors

ñ Read “En clase de Matematicas” and answer questions

Assessment: Quiz and class work

B. Nouns meet Adjectives

ñ Students create a poster using tons of adjectives about themselves and learn “to be”  (Soy……)

ñ Learn classroom vocabulary: nouns

ñ Learn more adjectives

ñ Read “La Mochila” and answer questions

ñ Watch “Walkout” and learn more adjectives. Students now learn the rules of adjective and nouns.

Assessments: Quizzes, reading comprehension  and poster project

C. Helpful little words and creating full sentences for the first time

ñ Start to write full sentences.

ñ Understand the syntax really well through writing

ñ Create sentences and memorize them – I will quiz them on this

Assessments: writing and oral test

D: Body Parts Unit and color review

ñ Learn verbs/ vocabulary about body parts & clothing

ñ Learn song and “Simon dice...” game

ñ Create a mini project

Assessment: Quiz and presentations of project

E: Learn about Spanish poetry

ñ Students will be presented with a variety of Spanish Poets

ñ Students will choose a poet and create a “poster” about the poet and choose a poem to share

Assessment: Poster project

F: EXAM REVIEW

Review all language and prepare for final test