McDowell Middle School- Grade 8
SPANISH SYLLABUS 2011- 2012
COURSE: Español 2
INSTRUCTOR: Sra. Kallie Flagstad
School Office: (949) 495- 5162
Email: kallieflagstad@yahoo.com
SCHEDULE: Monday- Wednesday- Friday
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
Textbook: Aventura, Español 2 (2009) First edition on DVD
Materials: Use a 1 inch notebook, notebook paper, index tabs, pencils, pen, McDowell School Agenda/ Planner, and Laptop
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This Spanish course is designed to build on students’ basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as learning about the various Spanish speaking cultures around the world. Students will demonstrate basic listening and reading comprehension of common everyday vocabulary. They will use a varied set of complex oral questions and statements to be used in common daily conversation.
This is an exploratory Spanish course in which the learning process will include various aspects of TPR (Total Physical Response) that consist of Spanish basic skills, vocabulary, grammar, reading, conversational practice, and writing skills. This experimental learning approach includes reader’s theatre, skits, story telling, role playing, games, fiestas, art, music, dance, newspapers, and fun projects.
COURSE GOALS AND HIGHLIGHTS: Students will have many opportunities to develop their Spanish sills based on contexts related to daily living. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate about many topics including: daily routines, greetings and farewells, descriptions, chores, food, clothes, numbers, colors, dates, times, weather, and autobiographical information. Students will become more aware and gain knowledge of the culturally diverse Spanish speaking world to develop insight into the nature of language and culture. When you enter class, you are entering a Spanish world where the focus language is Spanish. This is a fun experience and it will contribute to your ability to understand and speak more Spanish. Do not be afraid to make mistakes- we are all here to learn!
COURSE OBJECTIVE: After successfully acquiring the knowledge presented in class by activities in and out of the classroom, each student will be able to demonstrate success in the four areas of the language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This ensures that the California Foreign Language Learning Standards are met.
STANDARDS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING:
Due to the considerable number of languages in California, the World Language Content
Standards was developed to accommodate all languages and the various stages a learner
goes through to become proficient. Therefore, the World Language Content Standards are
not language-specific. In addition, due to the various levels of student proficiency and the
multiple points of entry and exit from California’s language programs, the World Language
Content Standards that follow are not tied to specific grade levels but rather describe the
levels of linguistic and cultural acquisition. For ease of presentation, the standards are
separated into five categories: Content, Communication, Cultures, Structures, and
Settings. They should to be taught together and in practice merge into seamless instruction
within the various stages of the Language Learning Continuum.
Content
Language users address a wide variety of topics that are age and stage appropriate. As students develop their ability to communicate in the target language and culture, they are able to more fully address topics that increase in complexity from stage to stage on the Language Learning Continuum.
Communication
Real-world communication occurs in a variety of ways. It may be interpersonal in which culturally appropriate listening, reading, viewing, speaking, signing, and writing occur as a shared activity among language users. It may be interpretive in which language users listen, view, and read using knowledge of cultural products, practices, and perspectives. It may be presentational in which speaking, signing, and writing occur in culturally appropriate ways.
Cultures
Culturally appropriate language use requires the understanding of the relationship between the products a culture produces, the practices that the culture manifests, and the perspectives that underlie them. Students must acquire the ability to interact appropriately with target culture bearers in order to communicate successfully. This category allows students to make connections and comparisons between languages and cultures.
Structures
The World Language Content Standards use the term structures to capture the multiple components of grammar that learners must control in order to successfully communicate in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways. Students need to acquire orthography, the writing systems in languages that have them; phonology, the sound systems of language or parameters in ASL; morphology, the rules for word formation; syntax, the principles of sentence structure; semantics, language-based meaning systems; and pragmatics, meaning systems connected to language use.
Settings
Language users need to carry out tasks in a variety of situations representative of those they will experience in the target culture. The success of learner communication will be determined by the requirements of the situation in which the language is used. Understanding social linguistic norms will assist learners in communicating effectively in real-world encounters.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Attend class regularly.
Participate in daily activities and complete all homework assignments.
Bring DVD textbook, laptop, and complete notebook to class.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communicate with parents on student’s progress in the course.
Present material in an understandable way.
Be available for students who need help or have questions.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
Every class meeting will be a positive learning opportunity. Students are expected to:
Respect teacher and classmates.
Speak Spanish as much as possible in class, at school, and home.
Be on time.
Be ready. Bring your laptop (charged), DVD textbook, materials, and Spanish notebook to every class.
Active participation is required on a daily basis to ensure good development of language skills. Listen, watch, and take notes when needed. Most importantly have fun while participating.
NOTEBOOK:
Each student is required to have a 1 inch three ringed Spanish notebook. The notebooks are due at the end of each quarter and are graded based on the completion of the course content and neatness. The notebook will be divided into four sections:
Class notes
Vocabulary
Homework/ Projects
Tests/ Quizzes
HOMEWORK:
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. We will spend much of our time “talking” in Spanish, either in small groups or as an entire class. It is expected that students will have completed assigned work and come to class prepared to be able to apply what they have learned. This will include answering and asking questions, board work, participating in presentations (graded and non graded), working in small groups, and on class projects. All homework assignments are to be placed in your Spanish notebook.
LATE/ ABSENT:
Late or absent work will be accepted up to five school days after the assigned due date. Each day late will result in a 10% grade reduction up to five school days. This is waived for excused absences. When absences occur it is up to each student to catch up on missed work by speaking with the teacher.
TESTS/ QUIZZES:
Chapter tests/ quizzes will be given upon completion of each chapter. At the beginning of each month, the teacher will provide a Spanish homework calendar for all homework assignments and scheduled quizzes or tests.
GRADING:
Participation 30%
Projects/ Class Assignments 20%
Homework 20%
Notebook 10%
Quizzes/ Tests 20%
Parent Contact Information:
~~~~~~~~~~Please return to your Spanish teacher.~~~~~~~~~~
I have read and understand the class expectations and the grading procedures for this class. I understand that following the class expectations will lead to my academic success and violation of the class expectations will result in a lower participation and/or performance grade and parent notification.
I will do my best to actively participate in Spanish class and give 100% effort!
Student’s name _________________________________ Date_______________
Student signature _________________________________
Parent/ Guardian’s name _________________________ Date_______________
Parent signature________________________________________
Day time phone # ______________________________
Cell phone # ______________________________
Email address ______________________________
