Welcome to the second semester of Spanish III! I appreciate the work so far this year, and sincerely hope that you learn a lot more Spanish this semester. During this semester, we will study thematic units based on work and community, the future, myths vs. realities, interaction of different cultures and the environment. We will also read our first novel, Cajas de Cartón. Gramatically, students will the three perfect tenses as well as the different future tenses. They will also expand their knowledge of subjunctive and continually review many past concepts, so that students will have studied nearly all Spanish grammar.
Required Materials: Please bring the following materials with you to class on a daily basis.
Texts. Realidades— There is a class set, so students may keep their own textbook at home.
Composition Books
A Spanish-English pocket-sized dictionary and flashcards-- recommended
*Orals 20% Staying in Spanish in groups, active participation in Spanish
activities, Mesas de Conversation, Oral Evaluations
Homework and Project-(effort) 20 % Daily work, Cuadernos, Project—effort
**Tests and Quizzes 60 % Grammar & Vocab quizzes, + comp. on assigned readings,
Language in Context, writing, project—ability
**Please Carefully Read this Important Note:
A large part of your success in this class and of foreign language acquisition in general, will be your EFFORT. A great deal of this class is based on effort. Homework is effort-based. If you do your best effort, you will not be graded down for errors. Participation is graded 100% on effort; you will be rewarded for actively participating and staying in Spanish, whether or not it is perfect Spanish. For grammar, there are countless on-line practice activities (and tutoring) as well as activities that you can do to learn vocabulary and expressions. Some people will have to work harder than others, but the bottom line is that 100% effort is a large part of your success in this class.
Daily Homework: It is a vital aspect of your experience in Spanish. Your best effort and active review of h.w. will give you a broader base for understanding the class. Homework is due at the start of the class period following the day it was assigned. No late homework will be accepted unless specifically approved by Sr. Powell.
Projects: All written projects must be a students’ own work. “Word-only” translations (not entire phrases) are allowed from on-line sources/friends. Do not write work in English first, then translate. Write it in Spanish, using grammar that we have already studied (rather than tenses we haven’t). Presentations will receive a grade for their written project, then students will receive a corrected copy that they will use for the “speaking/ oral” portion. Late projects will be accepted at ¾ credit after first day, ½ credit after one week, no credit after one month.
Organization: Students are asked to organize and keep any hand-outs, in-class activities and home work in a
3-ring binder.
Extra Credit: Students may earn extra credit for tutoring, participating in various cultural opportunities that arise, or by creating unique projects—all with prior teacher approval. However, there is a maximum allotment permitted (2%) for completing a given number of different activities.
Participation (Spanish-Only, Active Participation): Students will constantly be evaluated on their ability to maintain their efforts in a Spanish-only immersion environment. I will monitor volunteering and monitor active participation in partner and group activities. Rather than lose points, decide to be rewarded for staying in Spanish!
Quizzes/Evaluations: Students will be required to take skills tests for key grammar concepts. Students below standard may re-take until they are at standard/passing. Vocabulary quizzes cannot be re-taken. You will be quizzed on vocabulary, grammar and writing, reading and listening comprehension, and culture. There will also be oral evaluations and comprehensive exams and projects.
Tardies/Attendance: You have 3 excused tardies, then an ASA for each one afterwards. Your daily attendance is critical to your success in this class, and frequent absences will result in points deducted from your participation grade—although these can be made-up through writing assignments (see Sr. Powell). If you are absent, I expect you to check with your homework partners. Also, please check on-line and check the make-up work box for handouts. Please do not ask me what you missed during the first five minutes of class. Instead, plan to see me outside of class, or during a quiet time in class. If you miss more than one day, I ask that you or your parents e-mail (or call) me while you are absent, so that you don’t fall too far behind.
*If homework was due on the day you were absent, it is due on the day you return.
*Students have one week to make up tests or projects for full credit. After that, tests can
be made up at 3/4 credit. If you miss a test, please schedule a time to come in. Also, when you are absent, I
will ask what your homework partners told you, then I will fill in the gaps. My homework partners are:
Name: _________________________Phone:_______________
Name: ________________________Phone: _______________
Bathroom/Drinks: Half-way through block days, I usually excuse the class for several minutes for a short break. Permission can be given at other times, provided students leave their cell phones.
Extra Help/Make Up Tests: Students are always welcome to come in with a quick question anytime, but if they would like tutoring, to make up a test, --or if they missed more than one day of school and need me to explain missed work, please try to come in during RTI or the following set “office hours.”
RTI, or Mondays and Wednesdays: 2:15-3:00
Wednesdays: 7:20- 7:45
Rule Número Uno: OWN IT (my learning & the collective commitments)
-I do an assignment, I own it. It represents me. It is done well and on time.
-I need to learn something, I own it. If I don’t get it, I use on-line resources or my
text, or I ask for help from peers, go to tutoring, or I go see Sr. Powell. I seek help!
-When I do well on a test, I own it. I am proud of my accomplishment!
-When I do badly on a test, I own it. I learn what I missed, b/c it will show up again.
-When I’m tardy or disruptive in class, I own it along with the consequences.
-When I see that I’m learning Spanish, I own it because I know that it happens
through active learning and my hard work.
I have high expectations for my students. You will stretch yourselves in this class and reap the benefits in so doing. I’m looking forward to a great year at BHS. Un año que sea fantástico en todos aspectos. Gracias-
Señor Powell brian.powell@bellinghamschools.org (the best way to contact me) or 676-6575 ext. 7210
La Clase de Señor Powell—Español III