Bienvenidos a la clase de español IV
Course Description
In this course, students will continue to learn vocabulary and grammatical concepts necessary for oral and written communication in Spanish. The goals for Spanish IV are to strengthen the language skills acquired in the previous three years of study and to communicate (writing/speaking) spontaneously on a variety of topics relevant to the student. Authentic sources will be used to increase vocabulary and language skills. Students will utilize authentic sources to expose themselves to the language and the various cultures of the people that speak it.
Course Recommendations
It is recommended that students obtain a 'B' or above in Spanish III, and/or recommendation from the Spanish III teacher II to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in level four. Native speakers can advance without mandatory prerequisite with department approval.
It is recommended that students be strong with the following basic vocabulary and grammar concepts.
It is recommended that students be strong with the following basic vocabulary and grammar concepts.
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Grammar:
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Course Materials
- Bring your school-issued Chromebook to class daily charged. We use it daily.
- Note-taking: If you take notes digitally (Notability), you simply need to manage the notes on your Chromebook. If you take notes on paper, you need a notebook (or section of a notebook) dedicated to this class.
- Many students prefer to use their own earbuds. There are classroom sets of headphones if students do not want to use their own.
As this is a level 4 language course, students will be expected to use Spanish in order to communicate their ideas and needs in the classroom. It is expected that students will struggle some until they become accustomed to using the language as their primary form of communication. It is important that students continue to give an honest effort and work through the struggle until it becomes easier and more natural. This is a natural step in language acquisition. All material that is posted on Google Classroom is also in Spanish and students are expected to read and understand it, as this will help them further understand and meet their goal of communication.
Grading Policy & Procedures
Letter grades align with percentages on the grading scale set by Jefferson City Public Schools.
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.
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 communication with administration and parents/guardians of the infringement. 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 the consequences of their choice to cheat.
Retaking Assessments:
Students have 3 “tickets” to retake any assessment each term. Once those three tickets are used up (at the student’s discretion) in a given term, you will not be able to retake any assessments. 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 two weeks of the original assessment date. Students are not required to meet with the teacher for additional help before a retake, but it is highly recommended if the student needs help. When you retake an assessment, the second score counts, regardless of which score is higher.
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.
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 communication with administration and parents/guardians of the infringement. 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 the consequences of their choice to cheat.
Retaking Assessments:
Students have 3 “tickets” to retake any assessment each term. Once those three tickets are used up (at the student’s discretion) in a given term, you will not be able to retake any assessments. 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 two weeks of the original assessment date. Students are not required to meet with the teacher for additional help before a retake, but it is highly recommended if the student needs help. When you retake an assessment, the second score counts, regardless of which score is higher.
Technology Statement
- Students are expected to use their Ipads 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.
- Formative tasks (concept checks) that inform the student and teacher of progress and next steps
- Create products (presentations, infographics, word processing, etc.)
- Research
- Accessing websites such as WordReference.com, Studyspanish.com, etc.
- Accessing and watching instructional videos
- Managing note-taking (Notability) if students choose
- 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 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 use Quizlet and to practice writing out grammar concepts.
If absent…
Tutoring
You may come in before school, but time is very limited in the mornings. I arrive to school about 8am, allowing for 40 minutes at best for additional help. Please check ahead of time to see if I am available for tutoring. I have occasional meetings and appointments that you will want to avoid.
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 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 use Quizlet and to practice writing out grammar concepts.
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. Williams 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
You may come in before school, but time is very limited in the mornings. I arrive to school about 8am, allowing for 40 minutes at best for additional help. Please check ahead of time to see if I am available for tutoring. I have occasional meetings and appointments that you will want to avoid.
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