SYLLABUS – ESPAÑOL 3-4
Profe Beltrán
Course title: Spanish 3-4
Teacher: Profe Beltrán
Room: 253
Textbook: En Español 2 book and workbook
E-mail:cbeltran@mail.sandi.net
Phone: (619) 223-3121 x4253
CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
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Students will engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings, and exchange opinions.
Students will improve speaking and listening proficiency through dialogues, skits, role plays and debates on issues.
Students will read with general comprehension (including material introducing vocabulary that may not have been covered in
class).
Students will articulate opinions and interpretations of written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Students will write original material including paragraphs, letters, stories, and essays.
Students will develop grammatical skills (the present, past, future and subjunctive tenses will be emphasized).
Students will expand their vocabulary
Students will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between historical events and perspectives of the cultures of Latin
America and Spain.
EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Complex Thinkers: The students have ample opportunities to interact in Spanish among themselves and with the teacher. They
will be able to select from a variety of appropriate responses and be able to use inductive and deductive reasoning in developing
language skills. In addition, students will be able to apply acquired skills to a variety of life situations. Documents may include
tests, written and oral assignments, and projects.
Effective Communicators: Students will have the opportunity to communicate orally in large groups, small groups and pairs.
Students will have the opportunity to practice material presented by the instructor orally, aurally and in writing. Writing will be an
integral part of the course with regular opportunities for students to express themselves in written form. Documents may include
tests, compositions, oral rubrics, and class work.
Responsible Self-Directed Learners and Workers: Students will have opportunities to demonstrate responsibility and
organizational skills through teacher checking of assignments, and related materials. Groups and individual work will be required
during the course of the year for all students. Students will have some access to computers and resources beyond the classroom,
kin order to complete special projects. Documentation might include finished projects, printouts from Internet sources, project
plan sheets, scripts, notes, and videotapes.
Involved Citizens: Students will have opportunities to interact with all students through the use of large and small group formats.
Students will also gain a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures through the study of Spanish, as well as sharing
thoughts and ideas from their own cultures. Instruction will explore similarities and differences between various cultures, and how
members of these societies interact with one another. Documentation may include group assignments and assessments through
logs, notes, or group projects.
Healthy Lifestyle Advocates: Students will understand the importance of exercising freedom within the boundaries of the
classroom rules and procedures. Conflict management with students and adults must be practices, and students will need to
conform to the general dress and behavior regulations of the school. Documentation may include a student written account of
specific behavior, or an explanation of a citizenship grade.
DEPARTMENT LITERACY FOCUS
The World Language teachers understand that in today’s world the ability to use a second language brings great advantages to our
students: increased earning power, broadened cultural understanding and sharpened intellectual skills. Learning a second language
helps students prepare for life in a world of cultural and linguistic diversity now and in the twenty-first century. We are therefore
committed to helping each student develop and maintain proficiency in a language other than English in an established sequence of
language classes. In adherence to the California State Framework and the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning,
each course will address the five proficiencies: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and culture in the context of the five “C’s”
of foreign language education: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities.
*Satisfactory completion of each World Language course with a grade of C- or better is critical for advancement to the next level.
However, repeating Spanish 1-2 is not unusual for students who have received a C in Spanish 1-2 or students who have taken
Spanish 1-2 in the 8th grade and feel they need a more solid foundation in the language.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Spanish 3-4 is a course that emphasizes listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Teaching strategies include direct
formal instruction, total physical response storytelling (TPRS), memorization, pairing, traditional call and response, individual
written exercises, collaborative exercises (oral and written), group interaction, and independent inquiry. Language learners depend
on their senses in learning a language. Thus, we will be doing activities that address different learning modalities. Much of the
daily practice will consist of listening and communication activities that will be done with a classmate or groups or whole class.
You will be asked to sing, act, draw and to gesticulate to learn certain aspects of the language. Although some people feel
awkward at first, all of us will acclimate. Everyone is expected to sing the songs and do gestures and no put downs will be
tolerated.
Once you enter the classroom, the expectation is that you will be communicating to your best ability in Spanish every day. This
will contribute to your ability to understand and speak more Spanish in a shorter period of time. We will make mistakes when
learning something new. However, you will be surprised by how well you are able to survive in a Spanish-speaking environment.
Use the phrases from the Spanish 3-4 list to help you out.
GRADING
70% = Quizzes, Tests, Projects, Presentations and Compositions
15%= Homework
15%= In class work and participation
STATUS REPORTS – Students will receive a progress report every six weeks (the dates are listed below). The grade in this
course is cumulative throughout the semester. The grades for each quarter are not averaged together to come up with the semester
grade.
DATES OF PROGRESS REPORT DISTRIBUTION:
October 30th , December 18th, February 11th (semester grade)
March 26th, May 14th, June 25th (semester grade)
QUIZZES, TESTS, PROJECTS, PRESENTATIONS and COMPOSITIONS
Unit tests, projects, presentations and compositions are announced. Quizzes may be either scheduled or unannounced. Projects,
presentations and compositions are graded according to the rubric for each assignment. Students are expected to use the rubric to
guide their work. Individual and group projects are started in class with the guidance of the teacher occasionally students will be
expected to finish these projects at home.
ORAL PERFORMANCE
Students are expected to speak Spanish to the best of their ability every day in class. Each time a student speaks Spanish to express
an opinion or offer a meaningful question or answer the teacher records it . They are free to speak English to me before and after
the bell rings, but should speak only Spanish during class time. Students will also participate in role-plays, group skits and
individual oral presentations that may be graded according to a rubric.
CLASS WORK/PARTICIPATION
Class work: Class work consists of any assignment given in class that must be completed within that period. We will go over
class work the same day that is assigned (time permitting). Students are responsible for holding onto every day’s class work until
it is collected. Students with an excused absence must make up the class work that they missed.
Participation: Active participation in all class activities is mandatory. Participation includes practice using the language to the
best of your ability, actively working on all assignments (oral, written, reading, songs), actively participating in TPR Storytelling.
Textbook and Cuaderno: Students are expected to bring their textbook and cuaderno to class when I ask them to.
Videotape: Students will be filmed for certain assignments. Please let the teacher know if you do not want your child to be
filmed.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be given daily to review and strengthen classroom learning. There is no partial credit for homework. Daily
homework will be written on the board and it is the student’s responsibility to read the board. Students are responsible for
knowing what homework is due and obtaining and hand-outs/ vocabulary/ directions that might be necessary to complete
the work. “I didn’t get a hand-out” is never an excuse. Homework MUST be completed BEFORE class and is due upon
arrival in the classroom the following day after it is assigned unless another due date is given. Late homework is not accepted
except under the attendance policy. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain any assignment or vocabulary you
have missed. You will have as many days as you were absent to turn in the assigned homework. If you are absent because of a
school activity or pre planned absence, homework is due immediately upon your return, and it is your responsibility to
turn it in NOT the teacher’s to remind you. Homework will not be accepted if your absence is unexcused. Missing any
homework is a cause for concern as homework reinforces what you learn in class.
TARDIES, ATTENDANCE, CITIZENSHIP AND MAKE-UP WORK
1. TARDIES. All students must be in class on time. Walking into class while the bell is ringing or after the bell rings is a tardy.
School policy regarding the consequences for each tardy will be followed.
2. ATTENDANCE. Regular attendance is essential to the success in the study of a foreign language. Comprehensible input must
be heard on a regular basis in order to gain oral/aural skills. The Point Loma High School attendance policy will be enforced.
3. MAKE-UP WORK
It is the responsibility of the student to acquire all missed assignments and turn it in promptly. Students will not be reminded.
Except for school activities and pre-planned absences will have as many days as they were absent to complete and turn in any
work missed. If you are absent because of a school activity or pre-planned absence, all work is due immediately upon your return.
Late work is not accepted. When absent, tests and quizzes must be made up immediately. On your day of return from an
excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment with the teacher to make up the test/quiz. All tests must
be made up either before or after school or during lunch. Tests may not be made up during class time. If your absence is
unexcused no work, quizzes, or tests may be made up. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work missed (homework,
quizzes, etc.) If the student doesn’t follow through with the appointment made to make up missed quizzes, tests, projects, work,
the student will receive a “0” for those assignments. Keep in mind that absence for whatever reason can only have detrimental
effect on the student’s grade.
4. CITIZENSHIP GRADE
The citizenship grade will be based on the following: Classroom behavior, participation, cooperation with teacher and students,
positive attitude, attendance (tardies will affect citizenship in accordance with the school tardy policy). Any instance of truancy
earns an “F” for material missed and a “U” citizenship grade for the quarter.
ACADEMIC HONESTY (CHEATING)
Any student caught cheating or trying to cheat on a test or quiz will receive an “F” for the test and a ‘U” citizenship grade for the
following reporting period. A second instance of cheating will result in an “F” and “U” for the semester, according to school
policy. Any unauthorized material found on or about the person will constitute cheating.
Cheating is defined as presenting any work as your own original work when in fact, in part or in whole, it is not.
Although not limited to, cheating may be suspected under any of the following conditions:
 Talking during an exam or quiz
 Direct copying any assignment from any student
 Looking at anyone else’s paper during an exam or quiz
 Not covering your own paper during an exam or quiz
 Using language translators
 Personal electronics of any kind
Although using foreign-language dictionaries, whether electronic, online or traditional book-form, is not prohibited, the
use of any and all foreign-language translators is FORBBIDEN on any assignment in or outside of class. A foreignlanguage translator is defined as any instrument, whether electronic or online, that not only gives the equivalent
expression from one language to another, but also gives the proper form of the expression in terms of verb conjugation,
subject-verb agreement, adjective agreement, correct word order, etc. In contrast, a foreign-language dictionary, whether
electronic, online, or book-form, simply gives one equivalent expression for another with no emphasis on correct form.
The student must use his/her own brain to apply the expressions into any meaningful syntax. Examples of online
translators are Altavista and Babylon and are forbidden. Examples of online dictionaries are yourdictionary.com and
dictionaries.tralang.com and are perfectly acceptable tools.
Plagiarism in any form, including material copied or borrowed from the Internet and represented as the student’s own
work will qualify as cheating. Electronic translations will qualify as cheating. Both will result in a grade of “F” on the
assignment and a citizenship grade of “U” for the grading period. Please refer to the School Academic Honesty Policy for
details.
CLASSROOM RULES and EXPECTATIONS
Be respectful at all times!
PASSES
 BATHROOM/WATER: Passes will be given as needed.
 NURSE: Please let me know if you do not feel well and I will send you a pass to the Nurse.
 OTHER PASSES: I do not write other passes for students to get out of class (counseling, attendance, another teacher’s class).
If you receive a pass generated by the counseling office, attendance etc, you will be allowed to go.
OFFICE HOURS AND CONFERENCE PROCEDURES
If your student has questions about his/her performance in the class, please encourage them to speak to me after class, at lunch or
after school so that we can discuss the issue at hand. If your student needs tutoring, have them set up a lunch appointment with
me. If you as a parent have questions about your student’s performance, please call me or send me an email so that together we
may work towards helping your child.
Email: cbeltran@sandi.net
Phone: (619) 223-3121 ext. 4253
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Syllabus for SPANISH 3-4 : Please return the section below signed by both student and guardian/parent. Keep the
rest of the syllabus in your binder.
It is very important that both parents and students read and understand the expectations of the Spanish class. The
syllabus should be kept in the student’s binder during the entire year. It should be reviewed from time to time. Thank
you for taking the time to read about our class. Please sign when you have done so. Return this half sheet to school
immediately.
I have read and understand Profe Beltran’s Class Description and Class Policies and fully abide by its terms.
I realize that I am responsible for what is contained in this document whether or not I actually read it.
Student name (please print): _____________________________________ Date: ______
Student signature: _________________________________________________________
Guardian/Parent signature: __________________________________________________
Guardian/Parent contact information_____________________________________________
If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to send me an e-mail or call me and leave a message on my voice
mail. I will make an effort to return your message/call within 24 hours. I am able to respond more quickly to e-mail
messages than phone messages.
Is there anything you would like me to know about your student now?
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