Spanish 4 Honors Syllabus

Spanish 4H 2022 – Knight


Text:

Nuevas Vistas Curso Uno – Holt, Rinehart, & Winston


Additional Resources: classroom-use books, photocopied materials, library loans, student provided materials, Google Classroom and other online materials

Recommended Resources: 501 Spanish Verbs

Personal supplies: Should be brought to class daily

  • Charged Chromebook

  • Spanish/English dictionary

  • Note taking system for yourself

  • Colored pencils/pens for notes and corrections


Course Description and Archdiocesan Outcomes:


Spanish 4 will provide students more practice in the five key language areas of speaking, reading, writing, listening, and culture. Students will complete CLEP level work to prepare for college placement exams. Students will have the opportunity to study and participate in their faith from a multi-cultural view point.


Mission Statement:


We are Hayden – a Roman Catholic high school cultivating excellence in Faith, Academics, Community, Tradition & Service.


Archdiocesan Outcomes:

  • Comprehend and create in both oral and written forms, using a more authentic style.

  • Analyze and discuss level-appropriate literary selections.

  • Understand, narrate, and write in all tenses.

  • Demonstrate the ability to respond to spontaneous situations in the language.

  • Recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today’s global society.

  • Demonstrate and appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.

  • Become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where Spanish is spoken.


EVALUATION: Your grade will be determined based on the Hayden grading scale as outlined in the Student Handbook.


Homework: Expect homework each class period. Since the block schedule does not allow daily class meetings and practice, homework, including Google Classroom based assignments, will be an integral part of the learning process.


Some homework will require the viewing of a video or lesson online rather than or in addition to written work. Completing these assignments is just as important as the written kind and will often be followed the next class period by an assessment of some kind. Daily review of the assigned vocabulary is a must as all activities in class and out are based on this.


Homework is due the next class period after it has been assigned unless otherwise stipulated. Homework assignments will be posted in the Google Classroom site as well as on my Hayden webpage. It is your responsibility to check to make sure you know what has been assigned, especially if you are absent either due to illness or for a school related event. I expect you to always check Classroom before speaking to me about absent work.


Late assignments will be accepted for half credit –After 3 school days your assignment does not have to be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made.


Many homework assignments may be corrected for full credit . Students have one class period in which to make the corrections and resubmit the assignment. Corrections will only be accepted one time per assignment unless otherwise directed. As stipulated by the World Language Department policy, no late assignments will be accepted during the final week of a grading period.


Vocabulary study is an on-going process in any language class. You should devote a minimum of 5 minutes per day (not class day!) for vocabulary review using a technique of your choice. Several options will be demonstrated early in the year.


In order to prepare students for post-secondary learning, Google Classroom will be used to supplement in class instruction. All students will be required to access and complete online assignments. Classroom should be accessed EVERY day, not just class days. Students may not miss in class time to do online assignments. Students should also access assignments only from the Classwork tab, never from the announcement in the Stream. If work goes missing because you failed to access assignments properly, there will not be an extension on the due date.


Digital Notebooks: Students will be provided a digital notebook in Google Classroom and will be required to use it to take class notes, journal and record literature assignments. The digital notebook is always accessible through your Google Drive and therefore can never be lost or left in another classroom, at home or in the car, etc. Students may choose to take notes on paper as well if they choose to do so and are encouraged to use this method as part of their daily homework assignments because the more times you interact with the material the more chances for your brain to internalize the information.


Tests/Quizzes: Tests will always be announced, but there may be some unannounced quizzes. The class will typically have vocabulary quizzes on a regular basis and two grammar tests per chapter. Study guides are usually provided for each test, but do not think this excuses poor note-taking skills. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.


Being absent the class period before a scheduled test or quiz does not excuse you from the test/quiz. Since all material is available in Google Classroom, there is really no excuse for being unprepared. If you are absent during a test or quiz, you will have one week in which to make it up. If you fail to take care of this on your own, I will set up an appointment with your parents for an evening when they can bring you in to take the quiz or test. Students who miss two or more consecutive tests/quizzes will be asked to meet with the teacher and a counselor.


Vocabulary quizzes - these quizzes will be frequent and will always be in the format of English to Spanish unless otherwise stipulated.


Retakes are only allowed on a very rare occasion and under extreme circumstances. Forgetting about a test or quiz or forgetting to study for one for whatever reason is not a rare or extreme circumstance. If you keep up on your day to day assignments and study your vocabulary daily you should not need to worry.


Oral/Listening/Speaking Proficiency and Participation: You will be graded on oral participation on a daily basis, as well as oral quizzes during each chapter testing your speaking abilities in the target language. See scoring rubrics below.


Extra Credit: Extra credit implies work above and beyond the normal course load and is designed for those students who do everything they can to earn a passing grade, but are still struggling. It is not intended to make up for missing assignments. If you have missing assignments, you may not be eligible to complete an extra credit assignment. Extra credit is also not available during the final week of a grading period. A student may acquire only 30 points of extra credit during each grading period. In Google Classroom under the Stream tab in the thread Important Documents there is a list of extra credit options.


Cheating: Cheating is a MAJOR offense. Copying someone’s homework is cheating. Be aware that there is a very fine line between working together on an assignment and cheating. Many assignments in class will involve open-ended answers based on personal experience. Students should never have exactly the same answer on these sections. Violators will get an automatic zero on that assignment or test. Cheating on a test will be reported to the office and the offender will face whatever policy is outlined in the student handbook. Engaging in academic dishonesty may be a sign you are not ready for an honors language course.


Online Translators: As a department we recognize the widespread availability of on-line learning tools available to our students. However, in line with the policies being formulated by post-secondary institutions, we will not accept the usage of on-line foreign language translators as original work by our students. Translations made by automated translators do not represent actual work by the student and will be considered the same as plagiarism. Use of on-line translators will result in the same penalties as plagiarism as described in the current Hayden Student Handbook.


On-Going Assignments: There are several types of assignments that will be ongoing in nature, including reading assignments, workbook assignments, projects, and pronunciation drills and tests. Students are required to keep track of their due dates to ensure all assignments are turned in on time.


Ear buds/Blue tooth listening devices/headphones: These are not appropriate and should not be worn or used during instructional time. There may be times during individual work time when it is permissible to use them, but they should not be worn throughout class. If I see them I will ask you to place them on my desk. If it becomes an issue I will turn them over to Mr. Tetuan for further discussion.


Video games/Videos/Movies/TV episodes: Class time is not the appropriate time to catch up on your favorite shows or play games. Use your class time for Spanish - there will be plenty of reading and writing assignments for you to work on. If this becomes an issue, expect a discipline referral and a call home.


Extra Assistance: Extra help is available when needed. The most important thing is communicating to me the need for assistance. Please make an appointment to speak with me if you feel you need extra help. It is better to be proactive than to fall helplessly behind. I will provide one-on-one assistance as well as make alternative practice assignments available for students who wish extra practice on various concepts.


I am usually available from 7:00 a.m. until the first bell and until 3:45 p.m. after school with few exceptions (assigned duties & medical appointments). Other availabilities will be published on my Hayden webpage.