Barren County High School Course Syllabus

Course Title: Spanish I

Instructor: Micajah Christie

Contact Information: You may e-mail me at [email protected] or, if you wish to speak to me personally you may call BCHS (651-6315).

Course Resources: We use the textbook ¡Buen Viaje! Level I in this class. (Value: $61.50) The complete text and workbook are available on the web (directions will be given in class) or you may request a CD to take home. Additional supplies that you should be prepared to purchase are:

A 3-INCH, 3-RING BINDER. Yes a 3-inch! We will have many, many pages, a workbook, a dictionary and other items in it and by the end of the year, it really will be full.

COLORED PENS, MARKERS OR CRAYONS in Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, and Yellow. We will color code all verb notes so make sure that your choice is legible when you write. Experience has proven that highlighters do not work well for this reason and that colored pencils always have to be sharpened in the middle of class which causes students to get behind in notes.

A GOOD SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY. You should look for a reputable one that has a minimum of 50,000-80,000 entries. If you check size, you will find that most of them are about 5”x 7” and about 1 ½” thick. The smaller ones will not be sufficient beyond the first few weeks. If you go to a reputable bookstore (Ivy’s Books- on the road behind Sonic, WKU Bookstore on Glasgow Campus, Books a Million or Barnes and Noble Bookstore both near the mall) most dictionaries offered should be fine. You will need to bring this dictionary to class each day so any super sized editions would be for home use only.

Some suggested supplies are:

A PENCIL BAG FOR 3-RING BINDERS. Many students find that the zippered pencil bags for binders are the perfect size to carry their dictionary and colored pens/markers. Things don’t get lost as easily when contained.

PLASTIC PAGE PROTECTORS. These are by no means required and have no effect on the notebook grade. However, for students who tend to be hard on their binders or Spanish 1

frequently loose papers, the page protectors will rarely tear out even when binders are dropped repeatedly.

Course Objective and/or Description: Spanish I is an introduction to the language, its basic linguistic components and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking countries. Emphasis is on the three modes of communciation: interpretive (reading & listening), interpersonal, and presentational (speaking & writing), as well as cultural knowledge. Vocabulary study is an essential part of any language course. In-class activities include grammar study and listening and speaking practice in Spanish. Daily study outside of class is necessary in order for the student to do well.

LEARNER PROFILE (adapted from JCPS World Languages –TMS 08/11)

By the end of your first year of language study, you can understand and say a lot. You can read and write in the language, as well. In general, you can confidently give personal information about yourself, as well as information about others; you can tell about your likes and dislikes, your preferences and your needs, and you begin to use the language for some daily functions, like asking for or giving directions or maybe even buying things like food or clothing. You will probably make some mistakes when you communicate, but you should keep in mind that these mistakes are a natural part of learning a new language. Just pay attention to them to see if you can begin to eliminate them. So, at the end of this year …

What can you say and write? You can tell about yourself and others, using words, phrases or short sentences—sometimes even several sentences—as needed. You can provide this information as answers to questions or simply as descriptions of yourself, others, your daily life and your interests. You can also ask simple questions to get information that you need or want. You can make lists, fill in forms, write notes and use web-based communication.

What can you understand when you listen? You will understand most of what your teacher and your classmates say. You will even be able to understand some things that native speakers say. In general when you listen, you will get the main idea of what is being said and maybe even a few details. You might have to hear questions more than once, but you will probably be able to figure out what is being asked and how to respond.

What can you understand when you read? You will get the main ideas and some of the details when reading things like class schedules, personal profiles, menus, invitations, headlines, picture captions and other short passages.

Units of Study: We will cover 8 units this year. The early lessons will require more time than the latter ones. Each lesson will focus on specific tasks that that students need to learn such as introductions, descriptions, likes & dislikes, school, family, eating out and clothing. Success in these task requires students to learn new grammar and vocabulary as well as cultural background.

Our grammar at this level specifically focuses on memorizing standard phrases and begining to form simple sentences using nouns, adjectives and present tense verbs. Each lesson test will include sections that practice our various language skills and are modeled on the lesson review in the textbook. Vocabulary test are also a part of each lesson.

The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course. 2 Spanish 1

Because simply speaking a language does not ensure communicatioin, we include maps test and current events in our curriculum. These will be explained in separate handouts as they become pertinant.

Projects (group or individual) may be assigned with units where they are appropriate. Evaluation rubrics will be explained at the time of the assignment.

Because this is a college prep class, we will stress the importance of organization, preparation and planning. These will come about through such requirements as notebooks, long-range scheduling and the frequent use of agendas.

Writing Component: BCHS also has a school-wide writing program which will include Porfolio and On-Demand writing grades as explained in class.

Classroom Rules: There is one and only one rule in this classroom, but I believe in it and enforce it strongly. SEA RESPETUOSO Y CORTÉS. [Be respectful and courteous.]

This is an important part of the Hispanic culture and I want it to become ingrained in your subconscious to the point that when you speak Spanish, you will only be able to do so in this manner. I do not give an itemized list of “thou shall not’s”; any action that does not fit the description of courteous and respectful is breaking the one and only rule.

Some important ways to demonstrate courtesy and respect are:

1. Begin class on time — between the bells is your time. After the tardy bell, it is my time. When I close the door and come to the front of the class, it is time for you to begin class with me. Tardies are unacceptable and will be written up as stated in the school rules.

2. Be prepared to start class — Have your book, notebook, workbook, writing utensil and homework with you and ready for class.

3. Participate in class — Join in oral discussions; practice your Spanish whenever you can. Save the social conversations for after class.

4. Remain in class — I will sign your hall pass in your assignment book 6 times. There will not be any further passes beyond the six and you may not use the assignment book of another student. If you must receive a message, tell your friend to write a note, which I will deliver to you. I will not allow students to call you out of class without a hall pass from a teacher.

5. Dismissal comes from the teacher or substitute — I will allow plenty of time for you to prepare your books and leave. If you close up more than 1 minute before the bell, you will remain in class after the bell.

Consequences: Visual or Verbal Warning Teacher /Student Conferences Parent Contact Office Referral

The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course. 3 Spanish 1

Grading Policy: The grades in this class are calculated by using the Total Points Earned Divided by the Total Points Possible formula. Different types of grades will have varying point values depending upon length, difficulty and importance of the assignment. Students are strongly encouraged to check their grades each week on-line, they will be given a chart on which to record those grades and the record will be checked for a grade.

Cheating is a serious academic violation and at the university level will lead to expulsion and a notation on your permanent record. Therefore, we treat this seriously. Mere suspicion will lead to a request for the effort to be redone after school and confirmed events will be given Os.

Bonus points are pre set and may be earned for a variety of extra efforts during the quarter. These opportunities include current events (extra write ups and oral presentations in class), additional map test information, additional vocabulary mastery, extended learning demonstrated on quizzes and test throughout the year,

Attendance Policy: All activities are due on the date scheduled. The only time that late work is accepted is for an excused absence. In those cases, the work is due the next class day. Missed test must be rescheduled within the five school days following the absence and must be completed outside of class time. A 0 will be posted in the grade book until replaced by a corrected grade. Special considerations must be discussed with the teacher outside of class.

Semester Test Policy: All students are required to take the semester exam which counts as 15% of the semester grade.

Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.

I have read the course syllabus for Spanish 1 and I understand the expectations and requirements for this course.

Parent Signature: ______

Student Signature: ______

The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course. 4