SPANISH 1 COURSE SYLLABUS 2015-2016
Sra. M. Mizusawa
Course Description
Spanish 1 students learn the proper pronunciation of Spanish, basic vocabulary on
various themes, useful phrases & expressions, how to conjugate verbs in the
present tense and have a basic understanding of simple sentence structure & how
to ask questions. They learn beginning grammar concepts that form the foundation
of their language study. It is important that they master these concepts, as well as
memorize vocabulary & verb conjugation, because this helps them transition into
the next level. Culture is also an important part of their Spanish 1 experience.
Spanish 1 Topics
1. Greetings, time, numbers, alphabet, calendar, classroom objects, body parts,
weather, seasons, countries
2. Express likes/dislikes, places
3. Food, drink, meals
4. Health, feelings & emotions
5. Family, friends, cultural events.
6. Travel, shopping
Course Expectations
In order to become proficient in a foreign language, students must actively
participate in their own learning, both in and outside of class. Therefore, it is
important that students, 1) attend class daily; 2) work to the best of their ability—
individually, in pairs, or with a team; 3) follow and respect school and classroom
policies; 4) have a positive attitude about learning; 5) do homework regularly and
participate actively in class work; 6) bring book and supplies to class; and 7) take
good notes and review them. Outside of class, students need to complete
assignments on time; study daily to review notes and new concepts; memorize
vocabulary, phrases, and patterns; and practice pronunciation to develop fluency.
To become a successful language learner, this requires a commitment on your part
from the very first level of Spanish. Focus on building a strong foundation.
Supplies
1. journal
2. blue/black ink pen for quizzes & exams
3. notebook or folder paper for notes
4. textbook (bring to class daily)
5. supplies for projects
Classroom Procedures
1. Turn in homework when the bell rings, at the beginning of class, on the date it
is due. No late work is accepted, unless student was excused absent.
2. Be ready for quiz or exam with your blue or black ink pen.
3. Bring your textbook to class daily & keep it covered to protect it. You will be
charged for damage to the cover and inside the book.
4. When the Writing, Audio & Video workbook is used (class copy), please write
your answers on loose leaf paper or notebook.
5. Students are responsible for obtaining assignments, making up quiz or exam,
for an excused absence, within the time frame designated by school.
Unexcused absences do not allow you to make up quizzes or exams.
6. Students are expected to do their own work, no copying or cheating.
7. Use of a translator (whether another person or an online translation program
or service) to do assignments, letters, journals, projects, etc. is prohibited,
because it is does not allow you to learn by practice nor learn from your
mistakes. By using a translator to do the work, it is not your own work,
therefore you will not earn credit. A translator often limits the choice of
words and does not provide the range of vocabulary that a large dictionary
has. A7 has many large dictionaries in class for students to use.
8. Use of the dictionary is encouraged to foster development of vocabulary and
the skill of determining the correct word to select (adjective, noun, verb,
adverb, preposition, etc.). Many large dictionaries & other reference
materials are available to students in class.
Classroom Rules
1. Sit in your assigned seats daily. Cooperative learning teams are changed
each quarter. Sometimes, you will be able to pick your own partner or team
for certain activities like making a piñata.
2. No writing or drawing on classroom furniture.
3. Dispose of trash in trash can and recycle bottles and cans in bin. No food is
allowed, unless we have a cultural food activity.
4. Contraband items should not be in sight or they will be confiscated and
turned into the office.
5. Try to limit your use of the bathroom, during class time, because there are
breaks between classes. If you have a medical reason for going to the
bathroom more often, please submit documentation to the office so that
they can notify all the teachers.
6. Follow the class motto, SALSA. S=Stay on task/A=Always be responsible
for your own work, as an individual or as a team/L=Listen actively while
others speak/S=Show respect to get respect or Show Aloha!/A=Act with a
positive attitude.
7. No credit is given for cheating, copying, plagiarism, or using a translator. If
you are translating a phrase or sentence, using a translator—that is already
too much help and not your own effort to practice, apply or learn. If more
than that is translated with a translator, then it is not your own work; so no
credit will be given. Student will be counseled and depending on the
seriousness, a conference between parent/student/teacher/administrator
may follow.
8. Be aware that Chapter 19 rules apply for academic dishonesty.
9. Be careful when using scissors and equipment in class to avoid injuries.
Course Objectives (World Language Standards)
A. Interpersonal Communication: Use target language to engage in
conversations, provide and obtain information, express feeling and emotions,
and exchange opinions.
1. Ask and answer questions to get information and clarify something
that has not been clearly understood.
2. Provide details to elaborate on familiar topics and ask clarifying
questions.
B. Interpretive Communication: Understand and interpret written and spoken
language on diverse topics from diverse media.
1. Identify the main ideas and significant details of oral and written
material with limited visual cues.
C. Presentational Communication: Present information, concepts and ideas to an
audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
1. Use oral language skills to present a narrative, descriptive, or factual
report relating to personal or familiar experiences and events.
D. Cultures: Understand relationships among perspectives, products and
practices of target culture.
1. Describe the impact of one’s own culture and target culture on each
other.
2. Use appropriate language and gestures to interact in a wide range of
social contexts.
E. Comparisons: Understand that different languages use different patterns
to communicate and apply this knowledge to the target and native languages.
1. Describe similarities and differences in structural patterns of the
language being learned and other languages.
General Learner Outcomes (GLO)
Students will be:
1. Self-Directed Learners with the ability to be responsible for their own
learning.
2. Community Contributors who understand that it is essential for people to
work together.
3. Complex Thinkers with critical thinking and problem solving skills.
4. Quality Producers with the ability to recognize and produce quality
performance and quality products.
5. Effective Communicators.
6. Effective and Ethical Users of Technology with the ability to use a variety
of technologies effectively and ethically.
Assessment Plan
A. Homework will be awarded credit, based on completeness of the assignment.
Emphasis is placed on the application of skills learned in class, and homework
is good practice for this application of skills. No late work is accepted,
unless student was absent excused. Homework is essential in the language
learning process. Practice outside of class is necessary for skills
development.
B. Quizzes are given for new vocabulary learned, concepts introduced, grammar
patterns, etc. to check for mastery.
C. Chapter exam is given, upon completion of each chapter. Semester exam and
final exam are cumulative exams. Language learning is an ongoing process in
which you constantly build upon prior knowledge that you need to retain.
D. Class journals help to develop writing skills, as well as reading
comprehension. Reinforcement of vocabulary, grammar patterns, verb
conjugation in different tenses, current events and cultural knowledge are
woven in the journals.
E. Projects may include culture projects in English or simple Spanish,
presentational projects in Spanish (poster, poem, skit), research project,
etc.
F. Oral participation is important for language skills development. Students
are observed, as they interact with each other and participate in class
activities.
G. Listening comprehension activities from the Realidades 1 video program and
audio tapes combine with the workbook practice.
Grading Policy
Rubrics will be used to score projects, oral presentations, and some cultural
activities. All other learning activities such as oral participation, homework,
classwork, & quizzes will be scored on a point system. Exams are scored using both
rubrics and point system.
Tutoring is available after school with Sra. Mizusawa. To contact her by email:
Melanie Mizusawa@aieahs.k12.hi.us or by phone: #3056-414 and leave a message.
Tutoring is available on most Mondays and Fridays, after school. Please make
arrangements with Sra. Mizusawa.
Special Notes:
1. Spanish Club is open to all students. Spanish Club does service projects in
the school and community, has social activities with other Spanish Clubs, and
sponsors cultural activities.
2. Anyone interested in volunteering to visit the Spanish classes? We are
looking for people of Hispanic background to be interviewed or someone
willing to teach cultural traditions (music, dance, food, arts, etc.). Please let
Sra. Mizusawa know via email or phone (see above).
Muchas gracias for your interest in your child’s Spanish course. Looking forward
to a wonderful year! Please sign, date, and return the signature page to indicate
that you have read the course syllabus.