Spanish III
Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor
Jessica Swan, Ph.D.
435-5301
jessica.swan@ic.cdom.org
Texts and Materials
Textbook: ¡Avancemos! 3 IBSN 0618687262
Workbook: ¡Avancemos! 3 – Cuaderno práctica por niveles ISBN 0618782206
A 1 inch 3-ring binder (with 5 tab dividers and paper) specifically dedicated to this course is required. To
every class you must bring your textbook, workbook, binder, and pen.
A Spanish-English Dictionary is strongly recommended.
Course Description
Spanish III is a continuation and enhancement of the study of Spanish II. Emphasis is on communicating
by using the four major language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will
demonstrate their ability to use previously learned grammatical concepts correctly along with new aspects
of Spanish grammar to attain proficiency. Students are expected to interact in conversations on different
topics and learn at the intermediate grammar and vocabulary level. The cultures of various Spanishspeaking countries will be addressed through authentic documents that encourage students to
experience and understand different cultures.
Philosophy
The success of society rests on the ability to communicate, which in turn promotes world peace, trade,
and exchange of knowledge. Language mastery gives students a necessary tool of communication and
also increases their knowledge of other cultures which lessens ethnocentrism. Finally, foreign language
study helps students to exercise their memory, sharpen their minds, and improve their reasoning ability.
Outline
First Semester
Vocabulary: Talking about yourself and your friends, saying what you know how to do, talking about
people and places you know, describing your daily routine, making comparisons, camping, nature, family
relationships, at the beach, volunteer activities and projects, requests and recommendations, media,
environmental concerns, social awareness, presenting and supporting opinions, describing others,
professions, expressing positive and negative emotions, supporting opinions
Grammar: Verbs like gustar, present tense of regular and irregular verbs, present tense of irregular
verbs, present tense of yo verbs, stem-changing, verbs, the verbs decir, tener, and venir, saber vs
conocer, ser vs estar, reflexive verbs, preterite tense of regular verbs, irregular preterites, imperfect
tense, preterite vs. imperfect, tú commands, other command forms, pronouns with commands,
impersonal expressions + infinitive, future tense, por and para, present subjunctive of regular verbs,
subjunctive with verbs of influence, subjunctive with doubt, subjunctive with emotion
Culture: United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean
Second Semester
Vocabulary: Travel preparations, computers, requirements and conditions, participating in a group
discussion, leisure activities, around the neighborhood, an apartment in the city, traveling by train,
describing a cultural excursion, planning for the future, school activities and events, part-time jobs,
pursuing a career, discussing and critiquing literature, reading and interpreting plays
Grammar: Subjunctive with conjunctions, subjunctive with the unknown, conditional tense, reported
speech, past participle as adjectives, present perfect tense, past perfect tense, future perfect tense,
imperfect subjunctive, subjunctive of perfect tenses, si clauses, sequences of tenses, past progressive,
conjunctions, se for unintentional occurrences, uses of the subjunctive
Culture: Andean countries, Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, the Southern Cone
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated by the following methods:
1. Vocabulary quizzes
2. Lesson quizzes
3. Unit tests
Spanish III
Syllabus
2015-2016
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Projects
Oral presentations
In-class assignments
Homework assignments
Participation
Comprehensive semester exams
For a complete review of the grading scale see the ICCS 2015-2016 Handbook.
Promptness, Preparedness, and Participation
Class begins when the bell rings. Your textbook, workbook, binder, and a pen are required every day.
Students who are tardy and/or unprepared for class will lose participation points. Please visit the restroom
and your locker prior to class. I reserve the right to restrict you from the privilege of leaving the classroom
if it is abused.
Your attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this class. Active participation
means taking notes, listening attentively, answering questions, writing answers, partaking in class
discussions, etc. The use of all electronics during class is prohibited. Students who use electronics and
are off task in any other way during class will lose participation points.
Homework
Homework and other assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late homework will only be
accepted for excused absences. Homework will be graded for points or completion depending on the
nature of the assignment. I expect your homework to be written neatly or typed.
Absences & Late Work
In the event that you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and what you are
responsible for when you return to class. You must check Haiku, contact another student, or call/email me
personally to get information about assignments. Ask in advance for homework assignments before a
planned absence. If a quiz or exam is assigned in advance and you are absent the day before the quiz or
exam, you must still take the exam the day you return. Quizzes/exams missed and
homework/assignments not turned in as a result of an absence that is unexcused may not be made up. It
is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time to make up quizzes/exams as soon as possible following
an excused absence. Make-up quizzes, tests, or in-class work may only be completed before school or at
lunch.
Out of Class Help
I am available for extra help before school on Mondays from 7:40 AM - 8:10 AM. Other arrangements for
extra help may be made by appointment. You may contact me via email at jessica.swan@ic.cdom.org, or
at my school number (435-5301) to set-up an appointment.
Academic Integrity
All work should be your own. Cheating on a quiz, exam, homework, or other assignment will not be
tolerated and you will receive a zero. The use of online translation tools is considered cheating and is
strictly prohibited.
In addition to the above policies, I expect all students to follow the policies outlined in the ICCS 20152016 Handbook.
____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read and understood the syllabus, and I agree to meet the expectations of Spanish III.
Student Signature:___________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________
Date:_____________________
Date:_____________________