Spanish I Syllabus 2015-2016
Teacher: Lucila L. Thompson
thompsonl@calhounschools.org
(678) 986-9471
Textbook/Resources: ¡Avancemos! Holt McDougal Level I, Verb Drills Book, classzone.com, Teacher Resources Practice
Book, Spanish First Year, Ven Conmigo 1, My Tareas.com, and Madrigal’s Spanish Book
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the study of the Spanish language and culture. Students will perform the basic
functions of the language with emphasis on these four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grammar is integrated
throughout the course. Students learn how the cultures enhance one another and compare the target language and culture to their own.
Grade Percentages:
Formal Assessments:
Informal Assessments:
Final Exam:
Materials:
45% (tests)
1. 3-ring binder
35% (Quizzes/HW/CW)
2. Pen or pencil
20%
3. Paper and dividers
100%
Honors: A total of 3 points will be added to the final average of Honors class students.
Homework/Classwork: You will receive 4 grades per lesson: 3 regular grades and 1 test grade. You may add 2 more grades: one
regular and one test grade. You may lose/earn additional points on all grades. All homework and classwork is due on the DAY OF
THE TEST. You will only have the 2 days after the test to turn in late work. ALL late work will be labeled as LATE and will
receive a total deduction of 30 points. Late work submitted over 2 days late from date of test will NOT be accepted unless there is an
extraneous circumstance to substantiate acceptance.
Class Expectations: Education works best when it is a collaborative effort, so I look forward to not only teaching you, but also
learning from you as well. Please know that your cooperation will be expected in following all CHS and classroom policies and
procedures. In short,
1. Be prompt.
Procedures: a. EQ—5 min.
2. Be prepared.
b. Instruction—10-15 min.
3. Be polite.
4. Speak Spanish.
c. Work Time—25-30 min.
d. Closing—10-15 min.
Teacher Detention: I will assign detention for certain infractions: 2 disruptions, cell phone use in class. Detention must be served
within 24 hours. Detentions last 15 minutes and may be served at (a) 7:30-7:45 or (b) 3:15-3:30. Two detentions in the same week
will warrant a formal office referral. Come ready to work during detention. NOTE: Cell phone use will always warrant a formal
office referral.
Curriculum:
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August:
Lección Preliminar: Vocabulary: greetings, farewells, introductions, alphabet, spelling, origins, countries, numbers 0-10,
days of the week, weather expressions, classroom commands…Grammar: greet people and say goodbye, introductions, ask
and say how to spell names, say where you are from, exchange phone numbers, respond to classroom instructions, describe
the weather, the vowels, the letter h.
August-September:
*Unit 1: Vocabulary: activities, snack foods and beverages, likes/dislikes, other words/phrases…Grammar: using subject
pronouns and ser, using de to describe where you are from, using gustar with an infinitive, using ser to describe someone,
using definite and indefinite articles, practicing noun-adjective agreement.
October:
*Unit 2: Vocabulary: numbers 11-100, school subjects, classroom activities, adverbs of frequency, classroom objects,
feelings, places in school…Grammar: the verb tener and tener que, present tense of –ar verbs, the verb estar, the conjugated
verb before the subject to ask a question, the verb ir.
November-December:
Unit 3: Vocabulary: food and beverages, interrogative verbs, family members, months and numbers…Grammar: using
interrogatives words, gustar with nouns, present tense of –er and –ir verbs, the verb hacer, using de to show possession,
possessive adjectives, and comparatives. Prepare Optional Semester Projects.
December:
Prepare for final exam.
January:
*Unit 4: Vocabulary: shopping, clothing, in town, in a restaurant…Grammar: tener expressions, stem-changing verbs: e-ie,
direct object pronouns, stem-changing verbs: o-ue, ir a + infinitive, stem-changing verbs: e-i.
February:
*Unit 5: Vocabulary: a house, household items, parties, chores…Grammar: ser or estar, ordinal numbers, irregular verbs,
affirmative tú commands, acabar de and infinitive.
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March-April:
*Unit 6: Vocabulary: sports, sports equipment, parts of the body, staying healthy, outdoor activities…Grammar: using the
verbs jugar, saber, and conocer, and the personal a, using doler, preterite of –ar verbs, preterite of –car, -gar, -zar verbs.
Prepare for Final Exam.
May: Prepare for Final Exam.
Detailed Course Description:
The Georgia Performance Standards for Modern Languages (GPS) are based on Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st
Century and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Performance Guidelines for K-12 Learners. The
GPS are organized in outline form, integrating the national standards and the three modes of communication: interpersonal (IP),
interpretive (INT), and presentational (P), as well as Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products (CU), and Connections,
Comparisons, and Communities (CCC). The goals of the modern language standards are:
 To equip students with realistic lifelong skills that will enable them to function competently in a language other than their
own and communicate and compete effectively in the global community and marketplace;
 To instill a greater awareness of their own culture and the culture(s) of others;
 To enrich students' lives by increasing their appreciation for language and culture.
This course focuses on the development of communicative competence in the target language and understanding of the
culture(s) of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have minimal or no prior knowledge of the language
or culture. The major means of communication between students and instructors will be in the target language. Because
students may begin Formal language learning at various stages of their cognitive development, teachers must adjust vocabulary
and content to reflect developmentally appropriate interests.
An important component of language classes is the use of the language beyond the classroom in the real world. The integration of
Technology is an important tool in accessing authentic information in the target language and in providing students the opportunity to
interact with native speakers.
By the end of Level I, students will exhibit Novice-Mid level proficiency in speaking and writing and Novice-High level proficiency in
listening, and reading (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999).
It is important that students who sense they are falling behind or struggling seek help promptly. Students
who need tutoring will need to make an appointment 1-2 days prior and must come prepared with all
materials needed. Parents may also make an appointment. I am available most days before (7:30am)
and after school (til 4pm).
CONTACT MRS. LUCILA THOMPSON at:
CHS: (706) 629-9213
E-MAIL: thompsonl@calhounschools.org
Cell #: 678-986-9471 (phone calls til 4pm; text any time)
Please sign/date after you have read this course syllabus. Your child will receive +5 pts. on Test 1 if returned by 08/14.
Student: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Student’s printed name: _________________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________________________________________________
CLASS BLOCK: _______________________________________