Course Description: Spanish 1 students begin sequential development of all communicative skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). Students use Spanish for oral and written communication (interpersonal and presentational) and interpret spoken and written information. Additionally, culture is an integral part of meaningful language use. In Level I Spanish classes, students learn to communicate and interact with other students in real-life contexts about topics that are meaningful to them. In order to develop communicative competence, students are to use the Spanish language as much as possible in and outside the classroom. Course Scope and Sequence: The curriculum for Spanish 1 is designed around three thematic units: Unit 1 Mucho gusto! Unit 2 Los pasatiempos y el día escolar!, and Unit 3 Buen provecho y buena salud. Besides the Five C’s (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities) that are imbedded in the curriculum, students will also be equipped with the 21st century skills in the VBCPS Compass to 2020 Strategic Plan. Students will take the Annual Foreign Language Assessment of Proficiency (AFLAP) in April, May and June as a final assessment. Texts and Materials: Students will use the textbook ¡Avancemos! 1 as a resource. Students will also need 1. a three-ring binder, paper and a composition notebook 2. black/blue pens and/or pencils 3. index cards 3x5 4. a book cover Students need to cover and take care of their books. All materials should be brought to class each day. Help Sessions: Students are encouraged to ask questions and to seek extra help when experiencing any difficulty. Additional help will be available in the afternoon, days to be announced. Students may also go online to www.phschool.com for extra help. Extra credit will be given at the teacher’s discretion. Attendance policy: This is a Carnegie Course (High School credit class). If you are absent 12 or more times in a semester, it will result in a failure grade (E) for that semester unless a waiver is submitted to guidance and approved by the principal. Students will be Course Objectives: v Students provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions both orally and in writing. v Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. v Students present information, concepts and ideas to an audience of listeners and readers on a variety of topics. v Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among products, practices, and perspectives of the cultures studied. v Students demonstrate an awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of diverse cultures. v Students reinforce and expand their knowledge of other disciplines through the study of Spanish. v Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the study of Spanish and its cultures. v Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language and the concept of culture through comparisons of Spanish and their own language and culture. v Students use Spanish for meaningful purposes both within and beyond the school setting. Procedures for conferences, parental contacts: I invite parents to communicate with me as often as needed. I will respond promptly to messages within a day via phone calls and or/email. I will also communicate E’s and D’ grades at progress report and report card time. Teamwork between teachers, parents, and students is essential for students’ success. If you would like to meet with me in person, a conference can be arranged through the Guidance Department. Students and parents may also use: v My email paula.hernandez@vbschools.com v Parent Portal Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Virginia Beach City Public Schools will allow students to use privately own electronic devices to access the VBCPS wireless network. Connection to the VBCPS Wi-Fi network with personal devices will be used according to teacher
expected to attend class regularly. Students who miss more than 15 minute or more of class in a given day, will be counted absent for the class, and will be subject to disciplinary action if behavior is repetitive. . All make up work will be provided for excused absences. Work for unexcused absences must be turned in the next day after absences. Assessment Measures: Students are assessed both formally and informally throughout the course thru daily class work, quizzes, tests, presentations, Conner Stone assessments, oral communication and projects. Quizzes and tests are announced in advance. Quizzes and tests missed due to absence must be made upon their return to school. All work will be provided for excuse absences. Work for unexcused absences must be turned in the next day after absences. Reassessments: Any student who receives a failing grade on a summative assessment (unit test, end of quarter test, major projects or papers) be given an opportunity for additional instruction and reassessment. Retaking the entire assessment is discouraged; students should focus on material that was not mastered as shown through prior assessment. The assessment grade should reflect mastery, not an average of assessment scores. Homework: Class work assignments that is not finished during the school day may be completed at home for homework, but will still be considered as part of the classwork grade. Grading Procedures and Policies: VA Beach City Public Schools Grading Scale will be used. A (93-100) A- (90-92) B+ (87-89) B (83-86) B- (80-82) C+ (77-79) C (73-76) C- (70-72) D+ (67-69) D (64-66) E (64 and below failing) Zeroes and late work/ Academic detention: In an effort to increase student performance, an academic detention will be assigned to any student who fails to complete assigned work to encourage assignment completion. A “Z” will be assigned for assignment not yet turned in, an “X” for an exempt assignment and a Zero (“0”) for an assignment that is never submitted after the deadline or which earned a zero credit. Partial credit of a 50 may be granted when work is completed discretion. Student Conduct/Citizenship Expectations: Students are expected to follow all rules and procedures in the Student Handbook and code of conduct as well as any school-wide rules stated in the student planner including the tardiness and detention policy. First tardy- verbal warning, second tardy teacher detention and third tardy administrative detention. Students are to remember the 3P’s: Be prompt, prepared and polite. In addition, students are to: Be courteous, respectful, and non argumentative with teacher and other students. v Refrain from teasing, yelling, or swearing. v Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves. v Leave no trash in the classroom. v Follow all directions. v Raise their hand and wait for me to call on them. v Bring all needed materials to class each day v Come to class ready to work v Sit in their assigned seats The following actions will be taken as necessary: v Student will be warned v A Behavior modification/written assignment will be given, to be signed by the parents. v A conference with the guidance counselor will be scheduled. v Phone contact will be made with the parent. v Student will be assigned detention v Referral to administrator
The nine weeks grade will be calculated as follows:
Part I: Knowledge = 30%
Category Weight Evidence examples
Culture/Class work
Assignments 10% • Culture quizzes, tests, exercises, activities, or games, and assignments checked for serious completion • Performance-based Assessments (PBAs) and Projects-Cultural aspects. Foreign Language Week posters, Cultural class work checked for accuracy and LinguaFolio. • Daily Class work/class participation daily activities completed in class such as warm ups, practice, communicative activities, writing activities, guided practice activities, online activities, and other informal assessments. Chromebook Success Tips: v Bring your Chromebook to school every day with a full charge. v Keep your charger at home. v Power down at the end of each class. v Handle your Chromebook with care. v Close the lid when you walk away. v Use two hands on the bottom to carry. v Keep food and drink away from the Chromebook.
Vocabulary and Structures (Grammar) 20% • Vocabulary quizzes, test, exercises, activities or games, workbook exercises, crossword puzzles and Word Searches, bingo, online vocabulary activities and class work checked for accuracy. • Structures quizzes, test, exercises, activities Online grammar activities, • Class work assignments checked for accuracy
Part II: Comprehension = 30%
Category Weight Evidence examples
Listening & Reading
Comprehension 30% · 15% Listening quizzes, tests, exercises, or activities · PBAs/Integrated Performance-based/assessments-Listening portions and dictations · 15% Reading quizzes, test, exercises or activities · PBAs/IPAs and projects-Reading portions
Part III: Creating/Application/Synthesis = 40%
Category Weight Evidence examples
Speaking & Writing 40% · 20% Speaking quizzes, tests, exercises or activities and oral communication · Interpersonal/ Presentational/ Formal/ Informal · Skits, monologs and dialogues-Speaking portions · PBAs/ IPAs projects-Speaking portions (rehearsed and unrehearsed) · 20% Writing quizzes, tests, exercises or activities-Performance Based, Formal/informal, Interpersonal/Presentational · Timed writings/ online writings · Skits and dialogues-writing portions · PBAs/IPAs and projects-writing portions