Spanish 2 Syllabus
Course Description
Spanish II reinforces and expands on the Spanish I experience. Students’ knowledge of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures are broadened to empower students to communicate at the basic level. Cultural items will be explored to enhance their understanding of the Spanish-speaking world and their own culture.
Course Recommendation
Earning a C average (term 1 & 2 combined) or above in Spanish I is highly recommended for students who enroll in Spanish II to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in level two. Native speakers can advance without mandatory prerequisite with department approval. NCAA approved course.
Units of Study
- Students will develop grammar and vocabulary knowledge each unit to increase proficiencies in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- The cultural awareness in Spanish II will focus on raising students’ awareness of the people who speak Spanish and where they live. Students will study demographic trends and implications globally and domestically to understand the place Spanish takes in a world of many languages, bringing relevance and context to their studies.
Course Materials
- Chromebook: Bring your school-issued Chromebook to class charged. We use it daily.
- Note-taking: You can take notes digitally on the Chromebook or you can take notes on paper, you need a notebook (or section of a notebook) dedicated to this class. It is imperative that all students have a method of organizing and managing their notes for class so that they will be successful in the course.
- Headphones: Many students prefer to use their own earbuds for the instructional videos. There are classroom sets of headphones if students do not have a pair of headphones.
Grading Policy & Procedure
Letter grades align with percentages on the grading scale set by Jefferson City Public Schools. Categories are organized in this manner for students and parents to better identify areas of improvement for the student.
Grading Categories:
Late work:
If you are absent, you can reference Google Classroom to check the agenda and access all resources necessary. It is always encouraged that students who know they will be absent to prepare themselves proactively to keep up with the class and not wait until they return to class to ask the teacher what they missed. Absences happen. Plan accordingly and responsibly to keep up with the class. Late work needs to be submitted within a week after it is assigned. Reasonable accommodations can be agreed upon with the student who needs alternative deadlines. The key to this flexibility is the proactive planning and communication with the teacher. If you miss an assessment, speak with the teacher on the day of your return to set a date to take your assessment, whether that be during class or after school. It is highly recommended that you read page 6 & 7 of the JCHS Student Handbook to review campus policy on making up work, absences, etc.
Academic Dishonesty:
It is critical that all efforts in this class are honest, valiant, and reflect hard work and dedication. Academic dishonesty on assessments will result in a grade of zero points accompanied by a written referral to document the infringement and communicate with administration and parents/guardians. Whether the student earns the chance to take the assessment honestly will be granted contingent on how the student accepts responsibility for their actions and accepts the consequences of their choice to cheat. If a student is granted the opportunity to retake, a 25% reduction in the assessment grade will result.
Retaking Assessments:
Students have 3 “tickets” to retake any assessment each semester. Once those three tickets are used up (at the student’s discretion) in a given semester, students will not be able to retake any more assessments. Assessments cannot be retaken successively, meaning that students will not be able to take the same assessment 3 times, you only get 1 retake per assessment until all 3 of your tickets are used up. Also important to note, students must notify the teacher of the intent to retake an assessment within two days after the assessment results have been shared with the student, and the assessment must be reasonably taken within 5 days of receiving the feedback. Students are not required to meet with the teacher for additional help before a retake, but it is highly recommended if the student needs the help. When you retake an assessment, the second score is what will count, regardless of which score is higher. The second score is what reflects the learning of the student.
Technology Statements:
Common uses of the Chromebook in this class:
Grading Categories:
- 25% Formative Tasks (concept checks, practice, reflections, etc.)
- 25% Vocabulary Assessments
- 40% Grammar / Proficiency Assessments (speaking, listening, reading, and writing, including presentations)
- 10% Term Exam
Late work:
If you are absent, you can reference Google Classroom to check the agenda and access all resources necessary. It is always encouraged that students who know they will be absent to prepare themselves proactively to keep up with the class and not wait until they return to class to ask the teacher what they missed. Absences happen. Plan accordingly and responsibly to keep up with the class. Late work needs to be submitted within a week after it is assigned. Reasonable accommodations can be agreed upon with the student who needs alternative deadlines. The key to this flexibility is the proactive planning and communication with the teacher. If you miss an assessment, speak with the teacher on the day of your return to set a date to take your assessment, whether that be during class or after school. It is highly recommended that you read page 6 & 7 of the JCHS Student Handbook to review campus policy on making up work, absences, etc.
Academic Dishonesty:
It is critical that all efforts in this class are honest, valiant, and reflect hard work and dedication. Academic dishonesty on assessments will result in a grade of zero points accompanied by a written referral to document the infringement and communicate with administration and parents/guardians. Whether the student earns the chance to take the assessment honestly will be granted contingent on how the student accepts responsibility for their actions and accepts the consequences of their choice to cheat. If a student is granted the opportunity to retake, a 25% reduction in the assessment grade will result.
Retaking Assessments:
Students have 3 “tickets” to retake any assessment each semester. Once those three tickets are used up (at the student’s discretion) in a given semester, students will not be able to retake any more assessments. Assessments cannot be retaken successively, meaning that students will not be able to take the same assessment 3 times, you only get 1 retake per assessment until all 3 of your tickets are used up. Also important to note, students must notify the teacher of the intent to retake an assessment within two days after the assessment results have been shared with the student, and the assessment must be reasonably taken within 5 days of receiving the feedback. Students are not required to meet with the teacher for additional help before a retake, but it is highly recommended if the student needs the help. When you retake an assessment, the second score is what will count, regardless of which score is higher. The second score is what reflects the learning of the student.
Technology Statements:
- Students are expected to use their Chromebooks responsibly and for academic purposes. There are many productive applications of this device that support learning, but for undisciplined students, it can be a distraction with games and social media. Please consider coping without games and social media during class. It is expected that students mindfully and respectfully accept redirection from the teacher if a student is found focusing on trivial media that interferes with learning.
- NO CELLPHONES ALLOWED. As per the District Policy, students will not be allowed to use their cellphones in class at any time. They must have it turned off or on airplane mode to eliminate disruption. Any student using their phone in class will have to answer to their Administrator. For further information, read the District Policy on cellphones at school.
- The Chromebook is used daily in class. It is the responsibility of the student to manage, care, and charge the device daily, ready for class. The Spanish program does not have textbooks. We manage the learning experience digitally, so it is imperative that students learn how to navigate a hybrid learning environment, an increasingly common trend in education at the secondary and post-secondary levels in an ever-increasingly connected and digital world. The tech center in the second floor library can assist students with technical issues and questions. Please be proactive and aware of tech needs that need to be addressed. Do your best to take care of issues outside of class.
- There will be frustrations, especially for novice users, with any device. Sometimes wifi will temporarily fail or go weak. Sometimes an app will glitch and need to be closed out and reopened. Understand these setbacks happen and that it is an opportunity to learn troubleshooting skills, experience that will serve you in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology, updates, and transition.
Common uses of the Chromebook in this class:
- Google Classroom: We manage the entire course through Google Classroom. It is our Learning Management System that will have all daily agendas and resources/links/documents. Students also submit work in Classroom.
- Digital assessments, including speaking/listening tasks that are recorded and submitted via Lingco. Lingco is our Language Lab, where students, in most cases, will receive immediate feedback on their understanding of a concept; receive feedback on their speaking/pronunciation; and experience a variety of digital activities to help them learn and use the language
- Formative tasks (concept checks) that inform the student and teacher of progress and next steps (via the Lingco Language Lab because of the immediate feedback)
- Create products (presentations, infographics, word processing, etc.)
- Research on culturally relevant topics
- Accessing websites such as WordReference.com, Studyspanish.com, etc. (Note I did not say Google Translate… that is because ¡es el diablo de la clase!, DON’T LET IT IN!)
- Accessing and watching instructional videos
- Managing note-taking
- Managing emails and checking grades on Infinite Campus
- Quizlet: All vocabulary in the Spanish program is managed through Quizlet. This is a powerful learning tool that helps students manage and learn vocabulary.
Expectations Outside of Class
Don’t think “homework” but “study”: It is rare that I assign “homework” in the traditional sense, meaning a worksheet and “problems/examples” to complete at home. This does not serve our need in learning Spanish. I want students to do the application and practice in class when they can have support and feedback before they leave class, so they know what they need to study at home to be better the next day. This does NOT mean you don’t have responsibilities outside of this class. In fact, this class is structured and paced with an assumption that students STUDY targeted vocabulary sets (in Lingco/Quizlet) and/or grammar concepts. We will apply vocabulary and grammar concepts in class, but it is the obligation of the student to be disciplined and diligent in their studies at home each school night at home. Quizlet has digital flashcards that have many options, including pronouncing the words correctly in Spanish. There are also many games/activities that help students achieve mastery of vocabulary. Students will be required to memorize vocabulary and grammar concepts, so students need time at home (20 minutes at least) each night to learn the vocabulary on Lingco or use Quizlet and to practice writing out or studying grammar concepts.
If absent…
Tutoring:
Students may receive additional help by sending me an email or talking to me to be put on the AAR (Academic Assistance Resource) List to come in during CAV Time (3rd period) or by making arrangements to come in the morning (between 8:10-8:35am) or come in after school (3:40-4:15pm).
If absent…
- If you know that you will be absent ahead of time, communicate and plan to keep up with the class.
- If you are unexpectedly absent (as it will eventually happen), always check Google Classroom for the agenda and resources for that day and complete what you can. You can email Sr. Johnson if you have questions. Also keep in mind that I post assessment deadlines and communicate those deadlines in class regularly, so absent students at the least can study current vocabulary set(s) and grammar concepts in place of learning in class.
- Reference Grading Policy and Procedures for expectations on making up assessments and work within the time frame allowed.
Tutoring:
Students may receive additional help by sending me an email or talking to me to be put on the AAR (Academic Assistance Resource) List to come in during CAV Time (3rd period) or by making arrangements to come in the morning (between 8:10-8:35am) or come in after school (3:40-4:15pm).
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