Communication You will develop all modes and skills of language - listening, reading, speaking and writing - at the specified proficiency level. It’s all about communication, not perfection!
Culture There’s a lot going on out there in the world! Knowing more about the products, practices and perspectives from different Spanish-speaking cultures will help you to understand and connect with others. Also you will make Comparisons and reflect on your own culture.
Communities Spanish is being used all around us. Part of your out-of-class work (optional) will include getting into the community, and experiencing the language and culture in action. Also you will make Connections to the world, other content and careers.
Read more about the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Language.
In late May RGS 8th graders will take the Spanish STAMP 4s, a language proficiency test. Our goal is to achieve an overall score of Novice-High or higher. Read more about the ACTFL Proficiency levels.
Some high schools use STAMP results for HS credit and placement.
pen or pencil
lined paper
3-ring binder
open ears and open mind
Most summative assignments will be short performance-based tasks. Students will be graded on their performance on short reading, writing, listening or speaking tasks. Most formative assignments will be completed in class and will be marked for completion and /or accuracy.
Overall grade:
60% Summative (tests and big projects)
40% Formative (classwork, quizzes, little projects)
Link to a more detailed look at the year
Unit 1 - Los Retratos
Unit 2 - Las Escuelas
Unit 3 - El Día de muertos
Unit 4 - El fin de semana
Unit 5 - El tiempo libre
Unit 6 - La comida callejera
Unit 7 - El día de San Valentín
Unit 8 - El ecoturismo
Unit 9 - La vida sana
Unit 10 - La moda
To improve in a language, you will need to use it as much as possible in a variety of ways. We are also going to develop the other standards too (cultures, communities, connections, comparisons). Here are some of the main ways we will use it in Spanish class:
Authentic Resources - We will read and hear real life texts (commercials, songs, tweets, menus) originally intended for a Spanish-speaking audience.
Small Group Conversations - Challenge yourself to use Spanish as much as possible during our small group conversation classes.
Projects/Independent Research - Your new knowledge and expertise will be an important part to share with the class.
Performance Assessments (end of unit performance tasks) - This is where you will show off what you can do in Spanish at the end of each unit.