Syllabus

Course Description:

This semester-long course is the second level of Spanish study and is designed to introduce students to both the Spanish language and culture. The student will develop the ability to communicate in the five modes of communication: Interpretive Listening and Reading, Interpersonal Communication, Presentational Speaking and Writing, Investigation of Cultural Products and Practices, Understanding of Cultural Perspectives and Participation in Cultural Interaction. Emphasis is placed on proficient communication in the language while studying six relevant, real-world theme based chapters: Your School Day, A Special Event, You and Your Community, Memories From The Past, In The News, and Television And The Cinema. The prerequisites for this class are successful completion of high school Spanish 1 and a teacher recommendation.

Instructional Philosophy:

Many instructional approaches will be used to help all types of learners: graphic organizers, language ladders, paired activities, cooperative learning, questioning strategies (yes/no, either/on, multiple choice, short answer), Total Physical Response (TPR), surveys, reading authentic documents, listening to authentic music, visiting authentic websites and Google Slides presentations to name a few. Students will be actively engaged and will be expected to participate voluntarily and/or when called upon. Participation does not always mean giving the correct answer but a willingness to try to use Spanish and a genuine attempt at learning the material or asking questions when the material is unclear. The class will be conducted in both English and in Spanish, with more Spanish used progressively with each unit.

Course Goals/ Power Standards:

The standards for World Language classes revolve around levels of proficiency in the production and comprehension of the language. GCSD has mandated the exit proficiency targets for levels 1 – 4 in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. At the completion of level 2, students should rate at an Intermediate Mid level for listening in which the students can understand the main idea in messages and presentations on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests and studies and understand the main idea of conversations that they overhear. For speaking, students should rate at an Intermediate Low level in which students can present information on most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences. For reading, students should rate at an Intermediate Low level in which they can understand the main idea of short and simple texts when the topic is familiar. For writing, students should rate at an Intermediate Low level in which they can write briefly about most familiar topics and provide information using a series of simple sentences.


Course Goals & Literacy Standards:

This course addresses the following standards from the Common Core standards:

  • Writing Standards ELA 6-12: Range of Writing: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

  • Reading Standards for Informational Texts 6-12: Craft and Structure 9-10: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).

Major Assignments & Projects:

At the end of each chapter, students will be assessed and evaluated by the Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs). These IPAs measure a student’s ability to listen and/or read (interpretive), speak (interpersonal) and write (presentational) in Spanish.

Course Assessment Plan and Grading:

In accordance with Greenville County School District:

Major assessments are worth 60% (for example, IPA, long term in-class and out-of class projects, tests, etc.).

Minor assessments are worth 40%. The 40% will be calculated as follows:

  • Participation (in-class activities)

  • Homework (out-of-class activities)

  • Quizzes (for example: grammar/vocabulary quizzes, short projects, skits, etc.)

Overall grade is calculated as 1st quarter grade = 40%, 2nd quarter grade = 40%, final exam = 20%

Required & Recommended Reading:

Textbook: Auténtico

In-class reading: Variety of authentic articles, short stories, and materials from authentic websites.

Students can bring an English-to-Spanish dictionary to use during in-class activities (not on quizzes/major assessments) but it is not required.

Pacing Guide:

This is an approximate timeline of where the class will be. Time will be adjusted as necessary.

Intro. Chapter - Let’s Get Started - 2 days

Chapter 1 - Who am I? - 15 days

Chapter 2 - How have I changed?- 15 days

Chapter 3 - What are my choices? - 15 days

Chapter 4 - Where am I going? - 15 days

Late Policy: All students should complete each assignment before its deadline. Assignments NOT completed by the deadline are considered late. A zero will be put in the grade book as a placeholder until the assignment is made up. Students submitting MINOR grade assignments late will receive at most 50%. Quizzes and tests will receive no late penalty. All missing work must be turned in before the designated date communicated by the teacher. This date is typically, but not always, at least one week prior to the end of each grading quarter.