Barren County High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: Spanish II
Instructor: Micajah Christie
Contact Information: You may e-mail me at micajah.christie@barren.kyschools.us or, if you
wish to speak to me personally you may call BCHS (651-6315).
Course Resources: We use the textbooks ¡Buen Viaje! Level I and II in this class. (Value:
$61.50) Textbooks will remain in the class room, but will be available to be check out. The
complete text and workbook are also available on the web (directions will be given in class) or
you may request a CD to take home. Additional supplies that you will need to bring from Spanish
I are:
1) a 3 inch 3-ring binder with paper
2) a Spanish-English Dictionary
3) colored writing utensils in red, blue, orange, green, purple and yellow
These items will be used in all levels of Spanish study at BCHS and are a one time purchase.
Course Objective and/or Description: Spanish II is a continuation of the development of the
three modes of communciation: interpretive (reading & listening), interpersonal, and
presentational (speaking & writing). Also there is an increased emphasis on the understanding of
native cultures, their history and their institutions. There is a continued emphasis on vocabulary
development in all modes. In addition to the classroom activities used in Level I, Spanish II
introduces immersion (all Spanish) days, when the teacher(s) and the students use only Spanish
for all activities in the class. Daily study outside the class continues to be necessary in
order for the student to do well. Evaluation are similar activities as in Level I and will include
assessments in all three modes.
Learner Profile (adapted from JCPS World Languages –TMS 08/11)
This is another big growth year in learning how to use the language, and you are going to be
surprised at how much more you can do with the language. This is a year when you will feel
yourself being able to say a lot more of what you want to say without relying so much on
memorized phrases. In other words, you are going to feel more independent. One of the big
things you will notice is that you will be able to handle basic survival needs in the language. This
means you can order food in a restaurant or café; ask for and give directions to places; and other
things that are considered important to basic daily living. So, at the end of this course …
What can you say and write?
You speak and write more often in sentences than in just words or phrases, but your sentences
are fairly simple and are most often in present tense. You are able to ask questions to gather
information that you need or want. Since you are now creating more of what you want to
communicate, you notice that you sometimes have to pause to formulate your thoughts-this is
natural at this stage of your language learning journey. Errors continue to be present but you may
find that you notice them more readily and are actually able to make some repairs as you go
along.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
What can you understand when you listen?
Your listening ability is expanding to include not only the conversations that you have in class with
your teacher and your classmates but also short, routine telephone conversations and simple
announcements and reports that you can hear on the television, radio, or on the Internet.
What can you understand when you read?
You can read simple, straight-forward information about things that you are interested in as well
as simple informational readings found in daily life (signs, menus, announcements). When you
read these texts, you generally always get the main idea and can pick out some details.
Units of Study: We will begin with a review of the Spanish I material. We will then complete 6
new units about entertainment, eating, daily life, the doctor, community and celebrations.
Success in these tasks requires students to remember and utilize lessons from Spanish I, and
then learn new grammar and vocabulary as well as cultural background for the new task. Our
grammar at this level specifically focuses on incorporating multiple tenses and forming longer
more complex sentences using material taught in class and learned in independent study. Each
chapter will include listening tests, grammar quizzes and speaking and writing performance
assesments. 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.
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,
planning, and personal responsibility. These will come about through such requirements as
notebooks, long-range scheduling and the frequent use of agendas. This also means that no late
work will be accepted unless it it is because of an excused absence.
Writing Component: BCHS 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.
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 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.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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 0s.
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
10% 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 2 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.