Spanish 1 Course Overview
Course Description
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Level I is an introductory course that takes a
communicative approach to learning the target
language. Practical conversation in the target
language is emphasized along with conjugations of
regular and irregular verbs in the present tense and
an introduction to the past tense. The use of audio
clips, films, workbooks, and text are combined to
stimulate student interest, to enhance the acquisition
of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar skills and
to expose students to the target culture.
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A variety of materials will be used in the course.
Most handouts given in class will also be on the class
Edmodo page. The text (Paso a Paso) will be used as a
supplement. It is anticipated that Spanish I students
will study eight units this year. Students will
participate in independent, pair, and cooperative
group assignments.
Unit Themes
Unit 1: It’s nice to meet you!
Objectives:
o greet people and ask their name and
how they are; say goodbye;
o ask and answer questions about name,
age, date of birth and origin;
o ask for and give the date and time
o describe differences in personal
space between people in the United
States and Spanish-speaking
countries
Unit 2: Who am I?
Objectives:
o describe yourself in terms of your
physical appearance and your
personality;
o describe someone else’s age, physical
appearance and personality
Unit 3: What do you like to do?
Objectives:
o talk about what you like and do not
like to do;
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answer questions about your likes and
dislikes;
ask and answer questions about
activities, including when, why and
with whom;
react to other people’s likes and
dislikes
Unit 4: My school day
Objectives:
o talk about your school schedule;
o tell what school supplies you have and
which ones you need;
o describe your classes and teachers
o compare your school day with the
school day of a student in a Spanishspeaking country
Unit 5: My family
Objectives:
o describe your family
o talk about what members of your
family like and do not like
o ask questions about someone else’s
family
o explain how names are formed in
Spanish-speaking countries
Unit 6: Hanging out
Objectives:
o ask and give details about where you
go and what you do after school and
on weekends;
o extend, accept and decline invitations
to events
Unit 7: Let’s go out to eat!
Objectives:
o order food and drink in a restaurant;
o ask for your bill;
o ask for items you need;
o ask for and understand basic
information on a menu;
o talk about what food is like;
o talk about food likes and dislikes
Unit 8: Let’s go shopping!
Objectives:
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o
o
o
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describe what you and others wear at
different times of the year;
talk about what is in style ;
communicate basic information with a
salesperson;
ask for and give opinions about
clothes;
ask for a price and tell how much
something costs
Grammar
Grammar topics that will be studied include
adjectives, personal pronouns, conjugation of regular
–ar, -er, and –ir verbs, formation of plural nouns and
adjectives, possessive adjectives, direct complement,
conjugation of stem-changing verbs and irregular
verbs, and introduction to the preterite tense.
Assignments and Assessments
Grading Policy
Grades will be calculated using a total points system.
At no point should your grade be a surprise to you.
Grades are updated weekly, and you or your parents
may request a print out at any time.
 Homework assignments = between 5 and 20
points, depending on difficulty level
 Quizzes = between 10 and 60 points
 Journal prompts = 10 points
 Literature work = between 30 and 50 points
 Tests, Writing Projects and Presentations =
between 100-150 points
 IPAs = 300 points
 Classwork = between 10 and 50 points
IPA (Integrated Performance Assessment)
At least once a semester, you will participate in an
IPA. An IPA is an assessment tool that involves
three components: an interpretive phase, an
interpersonal phase, and a presentational phase. All
three phases of the IPA are assessed using rubrics
that you will be given in advance. You will know
exactly what you need to do in order to do well
before each phase of the assessment.
During the interpretive phase, you will read or listen
to an authentic text (created by native speakers for
native speakers) and complete a comprehension guide.
For the interpersonal phase, you will have a
spontaneous conversation with a partner that I have
chosen on a topic that relates to the text that you
read in the interpretive phase. In the presentational
phase, you will do an oral, written, or multi-media
presentation on a topic that relates to the text that
you read in the interpretive phase.
The IPA will be spread out over the course of a
chapter. When you do an IPA for a unit, you will not
have a regular unit test.
Journal Prompts
For every unit, you will have 8 journal questions to
answer. Each response is worth 10 points, for a total
of 80 points per chapter. However, your score will
be scaled to give you a grade out of 100. Your journal
questions will be answered in class, and the ungraded
journals are not allowed to leave the classroom.
Homework
Regular practice is key to learning a second language.
Therefore, homework will be assigned regularly. In
addition to written homework, it is expected that you
will study/review your vocabulary and class work
for 10-20 minutes daily. Generally, homework is
graded for completion, not correctness. It is your
chance to practice and take risks with the language!
In other words, if you do an assignment, you get full
credit; if you don’t, you get 0 points. On occasion, I
will collect homework assignments to review and
comment on. Homework assignments will be
announced at the beginning of each class and will be
posted daily on my web site and/or on edmodo. All
homework assignments will be reviewed in class.
Quizzes
Quizzes will range in value from 10-60 points. You
will take several quizzes per chapter. If you do the
homework assignments independently, review your
vocabulary and/or notes daily, and pay attention in
class, you will do well on the quizzes.
Extra credit
The only way to earn extra credit is by earning
badges that will be given to you on Edmodo. You can
earn badges by being a super volunteer, a good
citizen, sharing a journal response, or winning a game.
For every 10 badges you earn, you can add 5 bonus
points to the assignment of your choice.
Classroom Policies
Tardies
Students who are tardy will receive detention. If you
come to class late because you were with another
teacher, you must come with a written pass that has
an explanation for your tardiness from that teacher.
Failure to do so will result in a detention.
Absences
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make
up your missed work. Please ask a classmate what
you missed before asking me.
If you are absent on the day of a quiz or a test, it is
your responsibility to schedule a time during 8 th
period or a study hall for you to make up the test.
You will not be allowed to use class time to make up
the test. Any missed quiz worth 40 points or more
or test MUST be made up within 5 days of your
return to school or a 0 will be given as the grade.
Use of Online Translators
The use of online translators is strictly forbidden.
Not only do they not give accurate translations, but
the use of them is considered cheating and will be
met with disciplinary action. Mrs. Kelchner will never
ask you to do anything that you won’t be able to do
with the material that you have learned in class.
Language
I will speak to the class and to you as an individual in
Spanish as much as possible. When you are spoken to
in Spanish, it is expected that you will reply to the
best of your ability in Spanish. If you don’t (except
in the case of an emergency, of course), I will simply
tell you, “No entiendo” (I don’t understand).
Extra help
If you are struggling in class and want extra help,
please schedule a time to meet with Mrs. Kelchner
during a 8th period. Please ask for an appointment at
least one day in advance given that teachers
frequently have faculty meetings during 8th period.
The National Honor Society provides free tutoring to
students at GNA. Listen for announcements to sign
up to get a tutor!
You may also visit the Enlaces section of Mrs.
Kelchner’s web site for some great links to sites for
review and enrichment.
Keys to Success
Are you worried about surviving Spanish class with
Mrs. Kelchner? Don’t be! Here are some tips to help
you succeed in class.
1. Complete your homework assignments by the
due date and complete them on your own to the
best of your ability! Homework is graded for
completion only. Do it and you get the points. Do
NOT lose these easily earned points; they add up!
2. Earn badges. This is the only way to get extra
credit in Spanish class. They are not all that
difficult to earn, and they will have a positive impact
on your grade.
3. Review vocabulary regularly. You are
responsible for learning a large number of words, and
you cannot do it over night. It is much better to
review vocabulary frequently in small chunks of time
than to study for a long period of time before a test
or quiz.
4. Ask questions. When you are unsure of
something or just plain curious, please ask! If you are
uncomfortable asking a question in class, you can send
Mrs. Kelchner a message via edmodo or email.
5. Believe in yourself and take risks. Learning a
second language requires a certain level of confidence
and willingness to take risks. You will often not
understand every word that you read or hear.
Examine the context and do your best to figure out
the big idea! Do your own work to the best of your
ability instead of just copying off someone else.
6. Be aware of your level of language proficiency.
You are not a native speaker of Spanish. Your level
of Spanish is not the same as your level of English.
Do not get frustrated if you cannot express yourself
in Spanish the same way you would in English. There
are many ways to express an idea, and sometimes you
just need to KISS: Keep It Simple, Silly!
7. Remember your online usernames and
passwords. In class, you will be joining several web
sites, each requiring you to have a unique username
and password. Remembering them is your
responsibility. Write them down and do what you
need to do to remember them.
Stay Connected!
Mrs. Linda Kelchner
Greater Nanticoke Area High School
425 Kosciuszko Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634
570.735.7781
kelchnerl@gnasd.com
Mrs. Kelchner prefers to use email rather than the
phone.
http://www.teacherweb.com/PA/GreaterNanticokeArea/
kelchnerl
Mrs. Kelchner will continue to post homework
assignments and important dates on her Teacher
Web page. However, she will post documents and
other assignments as well as videos on Edmodo.
Parents wishing to join Edmodo should contact Mrs.
Kelchner via email for instructions and a code.
Remind101
Don’t forget to sign up to receive text message or
email alerts about class! Please see the instructions
that Mrs. Kelchner gave you. Parents wishing to sign
up for these alerts may ask their child to see the
instructions that were given in class or may contact
Mrs. Kelchner.