Barren County High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: Spanish I
Instructor: Corey Wood
Contact Information: You may e-mail me at corey.wood@barren.kyschools.us or, if you wish
to speak to me personally you may call BCHS (651-6315).
Course Resources: We use the textbook ¡Buen Viaje! Level I in this class. (Value: $61.50)
The complete text and workbook are available on the web (directions will be given in class)
or you may request a CD to take home. Additional supplies that you should be prepared to
purchase are:
A 3-INCH, 3-RING BINDER. Yes a 3-inch! We will have many, many pages, a workbook, a
dictionary and other items in it and by the end of the year, it really will be full.
COLORED PENS, MARKERS OR CRAYONS in Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, and
Yellow. We will color code all verb notes so make sure that your choice is legible when you
write. Experience has proven that highlighters do not work well for this reason and that
colored pencils always have to be sharpened in the middle of class which causes students
to get behind in notes.
A GOOD SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY. You should look for a reputable one that has
a minimum of 50,000-80,000 entries. If you check size, you will find that most of them are
about 5”x 7” and about 1 ½” thick. The smaller ones will not be sufficient beyond the first
few weeks. If you go to a reputable bookstore (Ivy’s Books- on the road behind Sonic, WKU
Bookstore on Glasgow Campus, Books a Million or Barnes and Noble Bookstore both near
the mall) most dictionaries offered should be fine. You will need to bring this dictionary to
class each day so any super sized editions would be for home use only.
Some suggested supplies are:
A PENCIL BAG FOR 3-RING BINDERS. Many students find that the zippered pencil bags
for binders are the perfect size to carry their dictionary and colored pens/markers. Things
don’t get lost as easily when contained.
PLASTIC PAGE PROTECTORS. These are by no means required and have no effect on
the notebook grade. However, for students who tend to be hard on their binders or
frequently loose papers, the page protectors will rarely tear out even when binders are
dropped repeatedly.
Spanish 1
Course Objective and/or Description: Spanish I is an introduction to the language, its basic
linguistic components and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking countries. Emphasis is on the
three modes of communciation: interpretive (reading & listening), interpersonal, and
presentational (speaking & writing), as well as cultural knowledge. Vocabulary study is an
essential part of any language course. In-class activities include grammar study and listening
and speaking practice in Spanish. Daily study outside of class is necessary in order for the
student to do well.
LEARNER PROFILE (adapted from JCPS World Languages –TMS 08/11)
By the end of your first year of language study, you can understand and say a lot. You can read
and write in the language, as well. In general, you can confidently give personal information
about yourself, as well as information about others; you can tell about your likes and dislikes,
your preferences and your needs, and you begin to use the language for some daily functions,
like asking for or giving directions or maybe even buying things like food or clothing. You will
probably make some mistakes when you communicate, but you should keep in mind that these
mistakes are a natural part of learning a new language. Just pay attention to them to see if you
can begin to eliminate them. So, at the end of this year …
What can you say and write?
You can tell about yourself and others, using words, phrases or short sentences—sometimes
even several sentences—as needed. You can provide this information as answers to questions
or simply as descriptions of yourself, others, your daily life and your interests. You can also ask
simple questions to get information that you need or want. You can make lists, fill in forms, write
notes and use web-based communication.
What can you understand when you listen?
You will understand most of what your teacher and your classmates say. You will even be able
to understand some things that native speakers say. In general when you listen, you will get the
main idea of what is being said and maybe even a few details. You might have to hear
questions more than once, but you will probably be able to figure out what is being asked and
how to respond.
What can you understand when you read?
You will get the main ideas and some of the details when reading things like class schedules,
personal profiles, menus, invitations, headlines, picture captions and other short passages.
Units of Study: We will cover 8 units this year. The early lessons will require more time than
the latter ones. Each lesson will focus on specific tasks that that students need to learn such as
introductions, descriptions, likes & dislikes, school, family, eating out and clothing. Success in
these task requires students to learn new grammar and vocabulary as well as cultural
background.
Our grammar at this level specifically focuses on memorizing standard phrases and begining to
form simple sentences using nouns, adjectives and present tense verbs. Each lesson test will
include sections that practice our various language skills and are modeled on the lesson review
in the textbook. Vocabulary test are also a part of each lesson.
Because simply speaking a language does not ensure communicatioin, we include maps test
and current events in our curriculum. These will be explained in separate handouts as they
become pertinant.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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Spanish 1
Projects (group or individual) may be assigned with units where they are appropriate.
Evaluation rubrics will be explained at the time of the assignment.
Because this is a college prep class, we will stress the importance of organization, preparation
and planning. These will come about through such requirements as notebooks, long-range
scheduling and the frequent use of agendas.
Writing Component: BCHS also has a school-wide writing program which will include Porfolio
and On-Demand writing grades as explained in class.
Classroom Rules: There is one and only one rule in this classroom, but I believe in it and
enforce it strongly. SEA RESPETUOSO Y CORTÉS. [Be respectful and courteous.]
This is an important part of the Hispanic culture and I want it to become ingrained in your
subconscious to the point that when you speak Spanish, you will only be able to do so in this
manner. I do not give an itemized list of “thou shall not’s”; any action that does not fit the
description of courteous and respectful is breaking the one and only rule.
Some important ways to demonstrate courtesy and respect are:
1. Begin class on time — between the bells is your time. After the tardy bell, it is my time.
When I close the door and come to the front of the class, it is time for you to begin class
with me. Tardies are unacceptable and will be written up as stated in the school rules.
2. Be prepared to start class — Have your book, notebook, workbook, writing utensil and
homework with you and ready for class.
3. Participate in class — Join in oral discussions; practice your Spanish whenever you
can. Save the social conversations for after class.
4. Remain in class — I will sign your hall pass in your assignment book 6 times. There
will not be any further passes beyond the six and you may not use the assignment book
of another student. If you must receive a message, tell your friend to write a note, which
I will deliver to you. I will not allow students to call you out of class without a hall pass
from a teacher.
5. Dismissal comes from the teacher or substitute — I will allow plenty of time for you
to prepare your books and leave. If you close up more than 1 minute before the bell,
you will remain in class after the bell.
Consequences:
Visual or Verbal Warning
Teacher /Student Conferences
Parent Contact
Office Referral
Grading Policy: The grades in this class are calculated by using the Total Points Earned
Divided by the Total Points Possible formula. Different types of grades will have varying point
values depending upon length, difficulty and importance of the assignment. Students are
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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Spanish 1
strongly encouraged to check their grades each week on-line, they will be given a chart on
which to record those grades and the record will be checked for a grade.
Cheating is a serious academic violation and at the university level will lead to expulsion and a
notation on your permanent record. Therefore, we treat this seriously. Mere suspicion will lead
to a request for the effort to be redone after school and confirmed events will be given Os.
Bonus points are pre set and may be earned for a variety of extra efforts during the quarter.
These opportunities include current events (extra write ups and oral presentations in class),
additional map test information, additional vocabulary mastery, extended learning demonstrated
on quizzes and test throughout the year,
Attendance Policy: All activities are due on the date scheduled. The only time that late work is
accepted is for an excused absence. In those cases, the work is due the next class day.
Missed test must be rescheduled within the five school days following the absence and must be
completed outside of class time. A 0 will be posted in the grade book until replaced by a
corrected grade. Special considerations must be discussed with the teacher outside of class.
Semester Test Policy: All students are required to take the semester exam which counts as
15% of the semester grade.
Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious
offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must
give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations
taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after
having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who
commit any act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course
work. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
I have read the course syllabus for Spanish 1 and I understand the expectations
and requirements for this course.
Parent Signature: _____________________________________
Student Signature: _____________________________________
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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