Spanish 1
Bienvenidos en la clase de español
In Spanish I, you will master basic skills in written Spanish, spoken Spanish, Spanish comprehension, and the culture of Spanish speaking countires. Class time will be devoted to introduction of vocabulary and grammar, and to practicing speaking and comprehending spoken Spanish. Homework will include practice exercises in written and spoken Spanish. In general, one year of high school Spanish is equivalent to one semester of college Spanish. Text: Bienvenidos I
Workbook: Bienvenidos I Workbook ($20.00 purchase)
Class work and Homework. Learning a foreign language requires PRACTICE. During class, I will introduce vocabulary and grammar, and will teach pronunciation and oral comprehension. For homework, you will need to memorize vocabulary and complete written workbook exercises. You will also practice SPEAKING Spanish at home, with a parent, friend or pet.
You will have a homework assignment in Spanish EVERY NIGHT, which will take approximately ½ hour. I make every effort to assign homework several days in advance, so that you may plan ahead. However, if possible, it is better to study a foreign language for a short time each day than for a long time once a week.
Parent signatures. Many of your homework assignments require a parent signature. Keep a list of the signatures in the back of your spiral notebook.
Grading. You will be evaluated on your ability to understand Spanish, speak Spanish, and write in Spanish, as well as on important aspects of Spanish culture. At the beginning of the year, your grade will be based approximately equally on home work assignments, quizzes, tests and projects. As the school year progresses, your performance on quizzes and tests determines a larger portion of your grade.
Homework Daily 10-20 pts each
Quizzes Daily 10-20 pts each
Tests Every 2-3 weeks 100 pts each
Projects Every 6 weeks 100-200 pts each
Activity Points Every 6 weeks 50 pts (optional) every 6 weeks
Assignments are due at the beginning of class. NO credit is given for late homework. A maximum of 50% is given for projects received within 2 days of the due date. Projects must be received by the beginning of class on the due date, even if you are absent on that date.
Extra Help. You may seek extra help during lunch or by appointment. I may REQUIRE you to stay for extra help, with parental permission, if you have several late or missing assignments, or if your scores drop below a B.
Supplies –- Due the first day of the second week of classes.
Spiral notebook Pen and pencil
Colored pencils (at least 8 different colors) Highlighter
Scissors Flashcards
Glue stick Sense of humor
Loose leaf paper (50 sheets)
You need to bring ALL supplies each day. Your spiral notebook is an essential component for success in this class. In it, you will keep class notes, vocabulary lists, and some grammar lessons. You will occasionally be able to refer to your notebook during quizzes.
A Tip About My Teaching Style: I will speak Spanish as much as possible in class. Try not to be discouraged by unfamiliar vocabulary, and do not try to translate each phrase into English. Instead try to comprehend based on the vocabulary and grammar you know, and by reading my body language. These sills will be essential when you travel to a Spanish-speaking country. I will make every effort to challenge you, and I will do my very best to help you be successful.
A Tip About Your Learning Style: Each of you has your own unique learning style, be it oral, visual, kinesthetic, musical, one that hasn’t yet been identified by educators, or a combination of several. For example, your may learn very easily by hearing spoken Spanish, or you may learn better when you see the written language. I memorize vocabulary best when I am walking or knitting. (I’ll teach you to knit, if you want!) Regardless of your learning style, you will profit from a variety of methods of teaching, I will help you identify your gift for learning foreign language, and determine what methods you need to cultivate.
Behavior Expectations. I expect you to know and to demonstrate appropriate high school classroom behavior. Our class rules are simple: Be nice, respect others, apply yourself, and have fun.
Activity Points. Activity Points are optional. Your grade will not be lowered if you do not complete Activity Points; however, Activity Points may raise your grade. Suggested activities, worth approximately 10 points each are:
Participating in International Club activities
Watching and summarizing Spanish films
Reading and summarizing Spanish stories and magazine articles
Participating in the local Spanish conversation group
Additional Resources
Dictionary - I recommend purchasing a small paper-back Spanish-English/Enlish-Spanish dictionary by the second semester of Spanish I.
201 Spanish Verbs, or the equivalent - This is an excellent reference for students, and will be especially valuable for those who intend to
pursue further studies in Spanish.
In Spanish I, you will master basic skills in written Spanish, spoken Spanish, Spanish comprehension, and the culture of Spanish speaking countires. Class time will be devoted to introduction of vocabulary and grammar, and to practicing speaking and comprehending spoken Spanish. Homework will include practice exercises in written and spoken Spanish. In general, one year of high school Spanish is equivalent to one semester of college Spanish. Text: Bienvenidos I
Workbook: Bienvenidos I Workbook ($20.00 purchase)
Class work and Homework. Learning a foreign language requires PRACTICE. During class, I will introduce vocabulary and grammar, and will teach pronunciation and oral comprehension. For homework, you will need to memorize vocabulary and complete written workbook exercises. You will also practice SPEAKING Spanish at home, with a parent, friend or pet.
You will have a homework assignment in Spanish EVERY NIGHT, which will take approximately ½ hour. I make every effort to assign homework several days in advance, so that you may plan ahead. However, if possible, it is better to study a foreign language for a short time each day than for a long time once a week.
Parent signatures. Many of your homework assignments require a parent signature. Keep a list of the signatures in the back of your spiral notebook.
Grading. You will be evaluated on your ability to understand Spanish, speak Spanish, and write in Spanish, as well as on important aspects of Spanish culture. At the beginning of the year, your grade will be based approximately equally on home work assignments, quizzes, tests and projects. As the school year progresses, your performance on quizzes and tests determines a larger portion of your grade.
Homework Daily 10-20 pts each
Quizzes Daily 10-20 pts each
Tests Every 2-3 weeks 100 pts each
Projects Every 6 weeks 100-200 pts each
Activity Points Every 6 weeks 50 pts (optional) every 6 weeks
Assignments are due at the beginning of class. NO credit is given for late homework. A maximum of 50% is given for projects received within 2 days of the due date. Projects must be received by the beginning of class on the due date, even if you are absent on that date.
Extra Help. You may seek extra help during lunch or by appointment. I may REQUIRE you to stay for extra help, with parental permission, if you have several late or missing assignments, or if your scores drop below a B.
Supplies –- Due the first day of the second week of classes.
Spiral notebook Pen and pencil
Colored pencils (at least 8 different colors) Highlighter
Scissors Flashcards
Glue stick Sense of humor
Loose leaf paper (50 sheets)
You need to bring ALL supplies each day. Your spiral notebook is an essential component for success in this class. In it, you will keep class notes, vocabulary lists, and some grammar lessons. You will occasionally be able to refer to your notebook during quizzes.
A Tip About My Teaching Style: I will speak Spanish as much as possible in class. Try not to be discouraged by unfamiliar vocabulary, and do not try to translate each phrase into English. Instead try to comprehend based on the vocabulary and grammar you know, and by reading my body language. These sills will be essential when you travel to a Spanish-speaking country. I will make every effort to challenge you, and I will do my very best to help you be successful.
A Tip About Your Learning Style: Each of you has your own unique learning style, be it oral, visual, kinesthetic, musical, one that hasn’t yet been identified by educators, or a combination of several. For example, your may learn very easily by hearing spoken Spanish, or you may learn better when you see the written language. I memorize vocabulary best when I am walking or knitting. (I’ll teach you to knit, if you want!) Regardless of your learning style, you will profit from a variety of methods of teaching, I will help you identify your gift for learning foreign language, and determine what methods you need to cultivate.
Behavior Expectations. I expect you to know and to demonstrate appropriate high school classroom behavior. Our class rules are simple: Be nice, respect others, apply yourself, and have fun.
Activity Points. Activity Points are optional. Your grade will not be lowered if you do not complete Activity Points; however, Activity Points may raise your grade. Suggested activities, worth approximately 10 points each are:
Participating in International Club activities
Watching and summarizing Spanish films
Reading and summarizing Spanish stories and magazine articles
Participating in the local Spanish conversation group
Additional Resources
Dictionary - I recommend purchasing a small paper-back Spanish-English/Enlish-Spanish dictionary by the second semester of Spanish I.
201 Spanish Verbs, or the equivalent - This is an excellent reference for students, and will be especially valuable for those who intend to
pursue further studies in Spanish.