Señorita Nelon
Cell: 985-789-5525
Email: margaret.nelon@mpls.k12.mn.us
Office hours: TBA
Class website: https://sites.google.com/site/rhsnelonspan/
Roosevelt High School
2013-2014
Spanish III IB Year 1 Diploma Program Foundations
Rm. 331
¡Bienvenidos a nuestra clase de español III!
Course description: Spanish III is an International Baccalaureate foundations course for the IB Diploma Program. It is a rigorous
course of study that is designed for students with 2-3 years experience of learning Spanish. Through this course you will focus on
mastering communicative skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing through the use and study of a range of written, spoken
and visual materials. Such material will extend from everyday oral exchanges to analyzing advanced literary texts that are related to
Spanish and Central/South American cultures and countries. This communicative classroom will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Our ambitions for the year are to…
 Communicate in Spanish through speaking, writing, and reading effectively within range of situations
 Reinforce and expand vocabulary and language structures
 Make connections with other disciplines being studied (Fine Arts, Science, Math, etc.)
 Engage in conversations, interpret and present information and ideas on familiar, real-world topics in context
 Make linguistic comparisons between your own language(s) and the Spanish language
 Examine and demonstrate an understanding of the cultural practices, products, and perspectives
 Expand language learning strategies
Our Whole Class Goal for Spanish III
 We will achieve proficiency as high intermediate level Spanish speakers on the Linguafolio Self-Assessment by having a
whole class mastery average of a 3 on a 0-4 standards-based grading scale on 80% of all Spanish III objectives.
IB Student Profile:
You are an IB student! The successful IB student…
 Is highly motivated and supported
 Desires both intellectual and academic challenge
 Exercises competent reading ability
 Speaks and writes the English language clearly and effectively
 Possesses adequate written and oral ability in a second language
 Utilizes conspicuous analytical and critical thinking skills
 Practices or is willing to acquire good time management skills
 Views scholarships as the way of life
Class Materials:
You must bring your supplies to class with you every day. We will assemble our carpetas (binders) together in class. You will need
the following supplies with you in class as soon as possible! If you need assistance in obtaining these materials at the beginning
of the school year I have extras and will be more than willing to supply you with the materials you will need for my class!
□ 3-ring binder between 1-2” or 5-subject notebook
□ Pencils/ Black or blue ink pens
□ Package of 5 dividers with pockets
□ Optional: Spanish-English dictionary
□ Loose leaf paper
□ Optional: 3 folders with pockets (if using notebook)
Your Carpeta (Binder)
All cultural experts must keep a neat record of all the information they compile. As students in this class, the same is expected of you.
An excellent carpeta (binder) will make it easier for you to find the information you need when you need it, as well as keep track of
your accomplishments in this class. Stay on top of things from the start!
You will use your five dividers to separate the various sections of your cuaderno as follows:
1. Hazlo Ahora (Do now) / Para Salir (To exit)
4. Tarea (Homework)
2. Vocabulario (Vocabulary)
5. Notas (Graded work and Mastery Tracking)
3. Apuntes (Notes)
Standards-based Grading:
Your grade will be based on your mastery of Spanish objectives, and will accurately reflect what you know and are able to do in
Spanish. We will work on achieving these objectives in class and through homework. I will consistently assess your progress in
achieving these objectives through such things as informal observations, self-evaluations, quick writes, exit slips, journal writings,
and/or quizzes. If you do not show a mastery of an objective, you will have to practice more. IMPORTANT: You will have the
opportunity to redo the assessment of an objective at any point in the quarter. It’s about learning, NOT the grade!
Each objective will be assessed on a 4 point scale.
4 = Advanced: A superior, consistent performance, beyond expected achievement
3 = Proficient: A solid, consistent performance; demonstrated competency of knowledge and skills
2 = Approaching: A partial mastery with limited to basic performance of expected achievement
1 = Beginning: A limited mastery of knowledge and skills; below basic expectations
0 = No mastery of knowledge and skills, no attempt is made
Your grade will be based on the following:
 Summative
80%
(Mastery of objectives shown through performance assessments that involve speaking, writing, and presenting)

Participation 20%
(Hazlo Ahora’s, Para Salir’s, all daily activities, frequently updating/maintaining tracker)
Letter grades will be decided based upon the percentage of points:
A = 95- 100 %
B+ = 87-89%
C+ = 77-79% D+ = 67-69%
A- = 90-94%
B = 84-86%
C = 74-76% D = 64-66%
B- = 80-83%
C- = 70-73%
D- = 60-63%
Trackers:
Throughout the duration of this course you will be responsible for updating and maintain your own individual tracker. Trackers show
your mastery as a percentage for each objective we will cover this year. I will have your official grades in my grade book and Parent
Portal, but we will fill out our trackers together in class. Having a tracker is a great way to keep track of how well you are doing in the
class, and what areas you may need more growth in. You will have the opportunity to redo an assessment of an objective at any point
in the quarter. If you are concerned about your grade at any time during the year, meet with me and I would be more than happy to
discuss and help!
Rules and Expectations:
We have a lot to do in a very short amount of time this year. It is a proven fact that people acquire another language faster and more
easily when they feel comfortable. Therefore, it is important that we work together to create an environment that allows us to learn as
much as possible. The following expectations are in place to make sure that everyone is able to learn, and that none of our valuable
class time is wasted:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be in your seat when the bell rings. – You should be in your assigned seat quietly working on the Hazlo Ahora by the time
the bell rings.
Come to class prepared with all materials and ready to participate. – It is vital that you have all materials (binder, pencil,
paper, etc.) when you come to class. You should also be willing to take risks in this class by committing to only speak
Spanish and have an open mind for a new language and new cultures. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. It is okay, we are
all learning a NEW language.
Follow directions the first time they are given. – Directions will be given only once. Before giving instructions everyone
should have their full attention on the teacher by having their eyes track the speaker, remaining silently, and actively
listening.
Choose to act with respect. – Support your fellow classmates by actively listening, working collaboratively and giving
constructive responses/feedback.
Be responsible and take ownership of your actions and work.– You are responsible for your success in this class. You
will be challenged in this class, and you will be treated like an adult. You will always be able to check your own grades
using the Parent Portal and individual trackers. If you are behind or are concerned about your grade, take the initiative and
come speak with me.
Entering Class/Tardy Policy:
When entering the classroom you should pick up any worksheets and resources needed for the day from the resource desk, sit silently
in your assigned desk, and begin working on the Hazlo Ahora. The first 5 minutes of class will be allotted for the Hazlo Ahora. If you
enter class after the bell, you are tardy, and must retrieve a tardy slip from the attendance office. When entering the classroom with a
tardy slip, enter the classroom silently, walk directly to your assigned seat, write your name on the back of the tardy slip and turn it in
at the end of class with the rest of the day’s daily activities. After 3 tardies in one quarter a referral will be written. The last 5 minutes
of class will be allotted for the Para Salir and classroom logistics/clean up.
Seating:
You will sit in your assigned seat unless you are reassigned for by myself or other supervising faculty member. If you have difficulty
with your seat for any reason, please write me a note or come see me outside of classroom hours for an appeal and to explain your
difficulty.
Homework/Late Work Policy:
You will have homework given every Monday that will be due at the end of each week. (Typically Fridays, however may be
Wednesday/Thursday if we have a shortened week.) We are learning a new language, and the more practice you put into it, the more
you will get out of it, both in terms of your grade and your Spanish speaking/reading/listening ability. Homework will be collected at
the beginning of class on the last day of each week, and daily assignments will be turned in at the end of each class. Unless given
permission by school administration, work will not be accepted after the assigned due date and will be listed as “missing” on Parent
Portal. I will not make extra copies of assignments, however most can be found on the classroom website and may be printed out from
home or the school’s media center.
Participation:
Participation is extremely IMPORTANT for building communication skills in Spanish. Participating means: being attentive,
contributing positively to partner/group activities, making a consistent effort to communicate in Spanish, as well as engaging in skillbuilding activities. I will evaluate you on your participation on a regular basis. The following is a generic participation rubric I will
use:
4
3
2
1
0
Student is on task during the
entire class activity.
Is a positive contributor to
the activity, and does not get
distracted by other people or
things.
Student is mostly on task
during the class activity.
Gets distracted once or twice
by other people and/or
things, but is able to get back
on task. Is a positive
contributor to the group
overall.
Requires no intervention by
teacher.
Student is sometimes on
task, but is often distracted
by other people and things.
Has limited contribution to
the activity, and/or weighs
others down at times.
Requires some intervention
by teacher.
Student is rarely on task.
Spends most of the time
talking and/or distracted by
other things. Does not
contribute much to the
activity, and/or weighs others
down.
Requires a lot of intervention
by teacher.
Student is not on task.
Does not participate at all in
the activity, and is off task
the whole time.
Requires non-stop
intervention from teacher.
Absences:
In a world language class we do almost all of our learning together in class. It is very important to be in class and actively participate
every day. If you must be absent, you are responsible for getting all assignments and making up all work. You should always bring a
note to class for an excused absence. Missed work for each day can be found in the “Make-Up Work” bin in your class period’s
folder at the front of the room on the resource table. Be prepared the turn in your missing assignments the following day you come
back to class. (Ex: Miss class Monday, return Tuesday, turn in Monday’s missing work on Wednesday).
Bathroom/Hallway Policy:
You are allowed 3 hall/bathroom passes a quarter upon my discretion. You must have your planner and ID in order to leave the
classroom. NO EXCEPTIONS. If it is an emergency, I will call someone to escort you to the bathroom. You may not leave the
classroom within the first and last 10 minutes of class.
Electronic Devices:
Cellphones, MP3’s and all other electronic devices are NOT allowed in the classroom and will be confiscated and placed into the
“cárcel de móviles” (cellphone jail) upon seeing them. You are not allowed to take a call or text during class. If your device is
confiscated, it will be given back to you at the end of the class period. If you refuse to relinquish your electronic device, a referral will
be written and security/dean intervention will ensue.
Consequences:
Your choice not to follow any of these expectations will result in the following:
Verbal warning
Detention with teacher
Referral
Teacher/parent/student/dean conference
In addition, we will also have POSITIVE consequences to reward positive choices made in class.
Rewards:
Your choice to follow these expectations will result in the following:
Verbal praise
Positive phone calls/emails home
Access to “La Tienda”
Academic Dishonesty (Cheating/Plagiarism):
You are expected to complete your own work. Cheating or plagiarism of any sort will NOT be tolerated. If you copy or supply
answers to others, you will not receive credit. This includes cut and pasting information from websites and other online sources. All
research-based papers and projects WILL REQUIRE cited sources!
The use of online translators is also strictly prohibited, and will be subject to the consequences of the cheating/plagiarism policy
outlined above. Any online site, such as Google Translate, to complete class work will be considered cheating/plagiarism. Honesty
and integrity do matter. I take it very seriously, and will treat it very seriously.
NOTE: You are allowed and encouraged to use online dictionaries such as wordreference.com
Again, I am really looking forward to working with you this year. I hope that through my class you will learn more about yourself,
while learning many things about the language and culture of Spanish-speaking groups all over the world.
Srta. Nelon
*Please return this syllabus acknowledgement signed to Srta. Nelon on Friday, August 30, 2013.*
I have read the syllabus with my parent/guardian and understand and agree to all information.
Student name (print): ___________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________
Parent/guardian name (print): __________________________________ Signature ________________________________________
Best phone number(s) to reach parent/guardian: ___________________________ Best times: _______________________________
Email address: _____________________________________________________________________
Please circle preferred method of contact:
Phone
or
Email
Please state primary language(s) spoken at home: ________________________________________________
Please provide any information that would be helpful to me as a teacher to your student (optional):
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