Colonel Richardson High School
Spanish IV: Syllabus
Teacher: Señorita Bickert
Email: jessica_bickert@mail.cl.k12.md.us
Telephone: (410) 754-5575 ext. 2504
Room: 504 – Classroom #10
Website: senoritabickert4.weebly.com *study links will be posted here for each unit
**Prerequisite: Spanish III
Course Description:
¡Bienvenidos a la clase de Español IV! Throughout the semester, students will reinforce their
Spanish skills as the themes, topics, and language become more complex. Students will explore the
role of the Spanish language and culture in Spain and Latin America as well as its growing
prevalence in the United States through authentic literature, photography, video excerpts, and art.
Additionally, through oral reports, blogs, and informal conversation activities with peers, students
will engage in communicative tasks that are relevant to their lives. Technology will be integrated
in the Spanish classroom to connect students to the reality of Spanish in our world and give
students the opportunity to have meaningful interactions with native speakers.
**Textbook: Realidades 3 (Prentice Hall)
www.realidades.com
Goals/Objectives:
The goal of this class is to examine the Spanish language and culture through rigorous reading,
writing, listening, and speaking activities. At the conclusion of the course, students will have
developed advanced vocabulary and grammar skills needed to interact and communicate
authentically and confidently with others while gaining a greater understanding of and respect for
the cultural perspectives, and products of different cultures.
Classroom Grading:
Grading will follow the policy of Caroline
County Public Schools:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
E = 0% - 59%
Tests/Quizzes: 25%
Weekly Blog Assignments: 10%
Class assignments/Homework: 25%
Participation: 15%
Projects: 25%
Course Content:
Realidades 3 begins with an introductory/review section (Para empezar) and is followed by nine
thematic chapters. Each chapter is divided into two sections.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Días inolvidables (Accomplishments)
¿Cómo te expresas? (Artistic and Personal Expression)
¿Qué haces para estar en forma? (Health and Exercise)
¿Cómo te llevas con los demás? (Interpersonal Relationships)
Trabajo y comunidad (The World of Work)
¿Qué nos traerá el futuro? (The Future)
Mito o realidad? (Interpreting the past)
Encuentro entre culturas (Encounters between cultures)
¿Cuáles son tus derechos y deberes? (Rights and Responsibilities)
Explanation of Assessment Methods:
Tests/Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given at the end of each section—typically focusing on one set of vocabulary or one
or two specific grammar skills pertaining to the chapter. Tests will be given at the end of each unit.
A review day will be conducted prior to each exam and students will have the opportunity to meet
with the teacher any day after school for a week up to the exam date. *Please note that students
may meet with me at any time during the semester immediately after school as long as I am given
24 hours notice. Students will be given the opportunity to retake quizzes and make test
corrections.
Weekly Blog Assignments:
Students will access my blog page: kidblog.org/spanish4-9 to post weekly blog assignments. You
can also find this link on my website: senoritabickert4.weebly.com. Every Friday night by 11:59
p.m., students must post a response/reaction to a question, prompt, short reading, or artwork. The
response minimum is 100 words IN SPANISH unless otherwise noted. Some time will be given in
class to work on blogs/ask questions.
In-class assignments/Homework:
Students are expected to complete daily warm-ups in a separate section of their binder. These
warm-ups will be collected at the end of each week and students will earn a participation grade.
Also, students must take notes daily. Students’ binders will be collected at random, unannounced
times twice a semester to ensure that students are completing their work and on target with the
learning outcomes and objectives (this will form part of the participation grade as well). In-class
assignments will consist of group work, conversation-based activities, writing samples, and
listening exercises. Homework will be assigned on a weekly basis and students will always have
the opportunity to begin their homework in class so that they may ask any questions prior to
completing the assignment at home. Homework will include, but is not limited to, various
grammar and vocabulary exercises from the textbook. Each student will receive one late pass for
homework per quarter.
Projects:
Most units are accompanied by a project, which students will complete prior to the unit exam.
Students will have class time to work on projects and also to ask questions for clarification.
Additionally, each student is responsible for presenting one current event and one culture share to
the class by the end of the semester. More details will be provided in class and on the class
website.
**One enrichment opportunity will be provided each unit.
Policies:
ABSENCES:
If you are absent from class, it is 100% your responsibility to obtain the work you missed. Missed
assignments can be found in your personal folder in the classroom. You have the exact number of
days you were absent to make up the work in order to receive full credit. If you miss a
test/quiz/presentation—see me to arrange a make-up date. If you are absent the day that a
homework assignment or project is due—it is due the first day you are back in class.
LATE WORK:
Every day an assignment is late will result in 10% off the earned grade. After five school days late,
the most a student will earn on the assignment is a 50%. Students must turn in all work for each
unit prior to the unit test to receive any credit.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/RULES:
The behavior in my classroom will be guided by the rules and restrictions set forth in the Colonel
Richardson High School Student Handbook. In addition to the rules in the handbook, I have
provided and discussed my set of classroom rules and expectations with my students.
CELL PHONES:
Cell phones may only be used (for Spanish dictionaries/cultural investigations) when the cell
phone sign is present on the main whiteboard. When the sign is not present, students will not be
permitted to use their cellphones or any other type of electronic in class.
BACKPACKS/HATS:
Students will not be permitted to bring hats nor book bags into the classroom. Students may not
wear their hoods up inside of the school.
Reassessment opportunities are identified by the teacher and will be done after school only and
after an appointment has been made with the teacher within one week from the day the student
gets the assessment back. Past the one-week mark, no more opportunities will be given.
Additionally, only one opportunity for reassessment is offered per instructional unit. The new
grade will be calculated by averaging the original and the retake grades.
Rules:
1. Respect everyone and his/her belongings.
2. Come to class on time and with all materials on a daily basis. YOU SHOULD BE IN YOUR
SEAT WHEN THE BELL RINGS.
3. Follow directions the first time they are given.
4. Use classroom appropriate language.
5. Be Colonel TOUGH.
Consequences:
If you choose to break a rule you will face the following consequences:
1. Verbal warning/seat change
2. Teacher conference after class
3. Teacher conference, lunch detention, action plan, phone call home
4. Referral and phone call home
Procedures:
When you enter the classroom:
1. Pick up all materials for the day from the counter near the door.
2. Find your assigned seat.
3. Put all distractions away.
4. Check messages on the message board—if homework needs to be turned in, place it in the
appropriate class tray.
5. Have all class materials on desk and complete the daily warm-up that is presented on the
Smart Board.
The teacher decides when to dismiss class - keep your materials out until I let you know
that we’re done with the day’s activities! Stay in your seat until the bell rings.
If you need to leave the classroom to visit the restroom, nurse, guidance counselor:
1. Always ask for permission. (Students may not leave the classroom while instruction is
being given unless in the case of an emergency).
2. Sign out using the form on the clipboard near the door with your name, destination, and
time of leave and return.
3. Take a bathroom/office pass with you.
REMIND 101
I encourage all students and parents to register for text alerts regarding upcoming tests, blogs,
projects, and homework assignments via remind.com. To sign up for these messages: text the
message @msbickert4 to 81010. If this number does not work, try (256) 469-2804. You can
also sign up online with the following link: https://www.remind.com/join/msbickert4. When you
sign-up I will not receive your phone number and you will not receive mine. I will only be able to
see your name on a list with other people who have signed up to the class. If you do not want to
use this service, but still want updates please contact me and we can work out another method.
SUPPLY LIST:
Required:
1) Composition notebook (available at Wal-mart/dollar store)
2) 2 Folders
3) Pens/pencils
After reading the previous pages, please sign and return this portion to confirm that you
understand the expectations for this Spanish IV course as well as materials needed. If you have
any questions, please write them on this paper or contact me via email or phone.
Jessica Bickert
Spanish Teacher
Date ____________________________________________
Student’s Name (Print) ____________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature ________________________________________________________________
Guardian’s Signature ______________________________________________________________
Guardian’s Phone and Email ________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments/questions
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