Español 4 Office: North Hall Language B
Course Syllabus Phone: (301) 983-5701 Ext. 832
Señor Whitford
Español IV
Texts and Materials
- “¡En español!” Level 4 textbook
- an English/Spanish-Spanish/English dictionary
- an organizing binder of notebook with plenty of paper
- one folder
- pens or pencils (please do not use red ink)
Course Evaluation
- Projects, Power Points and Essays 30%
- Quizzes and Writing Assignments 20%
- Weekly class participation 15%
- Pop quizzes 5%
- Homework 10%
- Final Exam and Final Project 20%
Course Content and Objectives
¡Bienvenidos a Español IV. You are now ready to leave behind the textbook setting and begin practicing your Spanish in more creative and practical ways. This course does not follow vocabulary lists or textbook grammar lessons. Instead, we learn about Latin American history and culture, and we also learn more practical vocabulary based on cultural topics and hands-on situations.
One major difference in Spanish IV is that you will be expected to demonstrate command of the basic Spanish grammar you have learned in levels I, II and III. We will not review this material and you will be held accountable for it in assessments and graded writing assignments. Please refer to your list of items that are considered to be essential from the first three levels. In the first week we briefly review the major verb tenses, but after this you are expected to have command of these tenses through the end of the year. We will learn various grammatical concepts at different intervals as they come up. In the remainder of the course, we learn about major cultural and historical events throughout the Latin American world, and we also enhance
our vocabulary throughout the year in cultural context as well as practical scenarios. All along the way, each one of you will improve your oral and writing skills, as well as gain a new appreciation and understanding of the complexities of the Hispanic world.
In addition to the required textbook and dictionary, I will occasionally provide handouts and packets, which you are to treat as textbooks. We also use newspapers, magazines, and the Internet for research and language purposes as well as various video programs for aural, conversational and cultural enhancement.
Your success in this course depends on you. If you come to class with an open mind and a willingness to work, then you will have fun in this class. If you embrace the reality that language is not just vocabulary and grammar, but also culture and history, then you will really enjoy this course. Lastly, if you take ownership of your language growth amidst the occasional struggle, then you will thrive.
Policies and Procedures
I. Organization and Preparation
Organization is critical to any language class. Since you will be taking notes, learning more grammar and vocabulary, and receiving handouts, you will need to keep everything organized in your binder and folder. You may organize them in the order that best suits you, but I do expect to see some form of organization. If you cannot produce your homework or a handout within one minute then you are not adequately organized. I also expect you to have all notes, homework, handouts, quizzes, and tests in the binder or folder. I may check periodically to make sure students are following this. Please remember that handouts you receive are to be treated as a textbook. If you lose your copy, you will be responsible for obtaining a new copy from
a classmate. Finally, please take the time to prepare before and after class. Make sure you are ready to go when class begins and review after class. This can save you from hassles down the road.
II. Participation
All students are required to participate. Given the nature of class you are expected to participate in Spanish in this course. Your weekly participation grade includes your willingness to speak in Spanish in class. Using only English or not participating at all is not acceptable. This is participatory course where listening and speaking must go together. Please see the separate sheet with the complete breakdown of this grading system.
III. Homework
There is not a great deal of homework in this course since we frequently discuss topics in class. Still, I may assign the occasional homework asking you to quickly research a topic in preparation for the next day’s class. These assignments are not at all long in nature and there is no reason to not complete them. Your daily homework grade is based on the following criteria:
- 3 points – I completed 100% of the assignment with my best effort.
- 2 points – I completed roughly two thirds of the assignment.
- 1 point – I completed roughly one third of the assignment with minimal effort.
- 0 point – I did not complete the assignment.
Please note that since there will not be many homework assignments one missed assignment can adversely affect your homework average and your grade. Since some assignments are used for the day’s class discussion I do not allow make-ups on those. If you are absent you are still responsible for homework. Please see the section on Make-Up Policy.
IV. Quizzes, Tests, and Compositions
In this course there are grammar and culture quizzes. The grammar quizzes are graded solely on accuracy. Culture quizzes are graded on a combination of accuracy of cultural content and writing style. This is why strong grammar is very important. All of the quizzes vary in point value.
Projects are graded according to the individual rubric handed out at the time. You will have two Power Point projects during the year. Compositions are also graded according to specific grammatical concepts. All compositions are done only during class time. I announce the topic the day before so that you have the night to organize your thoughts and prepare an outline. I do not allow rough drafts and I will not proof read any. Projects and compositions are both worth 100 points.
V. Attendance and Tardiness
My attendance and tardiness policy is consistent with the 2009-2010 Bullis Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself with these policies. If you come to class late please come with a note from the office or from your previous class. If you arrive late to my class without a note you will be marked late unexcused. Please see the Participation Rubric for more information on how late unexcused arrivals affect your weekly participation grade.
VI. Make-Up Policy – Excused and Unexcused Absence
Once again, I follow the 2009-2010 Bullis Student Handbook when it comes to classifying absences as excused or unexcused. The office determines how to classify your absence. The handbook also explains the make-up policy and percentage credit policy for missed assessments and assignments during excused or unexcused absences.
VII. Classroom Policy and Behavior
Please abide by the following classroom rules:
- This is a Spanish class and thus Spanish is the primary classroom language. Please get into the habit of speaking Spanish as often as you can because I will speak Spanish more and more frequently as the year progresses.
- All students are to arrive on time with all their own materials.
- There will be no eating in class. There will also be absolutely no gum chewing in class. Look beneath the tables if you do not understand this.
- Do not repeatedly ask during class to get a drink of water. You should get a drink of water before arriving to class or bring bottled water. Other bottled beverages are not allowed!
Do not repeatedly ask to go to the bathroom. Do your best to do so before or after class.
You must also be in full compliance with the Bullis uniform policies. Students who violate the uniform policy will be warned and given the opportunity to correct it. If you do not correct it you will be written up.
Turn off all cell phones. I will confiscate any phone I see or hear. Subsequent violations will be written up and you will be sent to Mr. Pollicino’s office.
I expect all students to abide by the Bullis honor code. I will not give out warnings for students who disrespect me or a fellow classmate. Instead, I will fill out a comportment form and you will be sent directly to Mr. Pollicino’s office.
VIII. Extra Instruction
If you at any time are having difficulties with any of the material, I strongly encourage you to seek extra instruction. It is your responsibility to set up a time that is convenient to both of us. I will be available several days of the week during the extra instruction time in the H block, but you still need to confirm with me. I am also available some mornings, but you still need to check with me and confirm.
IX. Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for their own work. If you are having difficulties understanding something from class, your first objective should be to see me for clarification. If you receive help outside of class such as with a tutor you must notify me. It is perfectly fine to receive help from a tutor in understanding a concept from class, but it is not okay to have a tutor or other outside help do your work. Not only does this affect your understanding, but it is also considered cheating. I can tell if a student has received outside help.
You are also not permitted to use web translation programs or online dictionaries. Not only do these programs risk giving questionable translations, but more importantly it is not your work. I will be able to tell if you use a translator because you will have words and constructions that are not part of your vocabulary. The unauthorized use of these programs is considered cheating and you will receive no credit for the assignment as well as face disciplinary action from Mr. Pollicino. It is better to push yourself in the language with the possibility of errors rather than cheat. Also, any student caught cheating on a homework assignment or on an assessment will receive a zero for that assignment and face additional disciplinary action from Mr. Pollicino.
Participation Grade Rubric
Your weekly participation grade is based on a 100 point scale and consists of the following five criteria:
- Use of Spanish in class (20 points)
- Class preparation (20 points)
- Individual and group participation (20 points)
- Class behavior (20 points)
- Classroom rules compliance (20 points)
Weekly Total = 100 points
Each criterion is worth 20 points and you can maximize your points by successfully fulfilling each criterion. The less you comply with any one part the lower your participation grade will be. Finally, if you are late unexcused to class you will automatically lose 6 points. Please refer to the following scale to help you calculate your daily participation grade.
1. Use of Spanish in class – 20 points
- 20 points – I used only Spanish during class period.
- 16 points – I used mostly Spanish but sometimes English (classmates, clarification, etc.)
- 12 points – I used quite a bit of English on several occasions.
- 8 points – I used more English than Spanish.
- 0 point – I did not try to speak Spanish at all.
2. Class preparation – 20 points
- 20 points – I came to class prepared with all my books and materials.
- 16 points – I came to class prepared with almost all my books and materials.
- 12 points – I came to class with only some of my books and materials.
- 8 points – I came to class with partial or borrowed books and materials.
- 0 point – I came to class completely unprepared.
3. Individual and group participation – 20 points
- 20 points – I listened carefully, volunteered often, and had a positive impact on class.
- 16 points – I generally listened and occasionally volunteered.
- 12 points – I was interested in class, but I did not actively participate.
- 8 points – I did not pay much attention and did not volunteer.
- 0 point – I did work for other classes, slept, chatted throughout class, and had an overall negative impact.
4. Class behavior – 20 points
- 20 points – I was well-mannered, respected both the teacher and all classmates, and followed all class rules.
- 16 points – I was generally well-mannered, respected the teacher and most classmates, and followed almost all class rules.
- 12 points – I was well-mannered part of the time, I did not always respect the teacher and classmates, and I did not follow some class rules.
- 8 points – I was not always well-mannered, I was rude to the teacher and classmates, and I ignored class rules.
- 0 point – I was a distraction to my class and I received a comportment form.
5. Uniform Compliance – 20 points
- 20 points – I follow all of the classroom rules.
- 16 points – I needed one reminder for a classroom rule.
- 12 points – I needed two reminders for classroom rules.
- 8 points – I consistently needed reminders about several classroom rules.
- 0 point – The classroom rules do not apply to me so I do not need to follow them.
Signatures
Please read carefully the entire syllabus and participation rubric, and make sure you and your parent/guardian understand all of the classroom rules and class policies. After reading, I ask that both the student and parent/guardian sign the syllabus in the spaces provided and return the last page to me no later than Friday September 17, 2010.
By signing, you also understand that this is a modern language course where I am pushing you to achieve what you did not think possible. I am asking you to take risks in the classroom every day and use the Spanish language at every possible opportunity. I am asking you to occasionally exit your comfort zone. By the nature of this course you will not always have the comfort to lean on a textbook or on written instructions. To best equip you and to best prepare you to use the language in a real life context you need to be able to respond to any given situation in any given setting. Your study of grammar and vocabulary will become more and more apparent, but you need to be willing and able to put it together without the benefit of the written
word to study. It is easy to prove you can memorize notes and textbook pages, but proficiency is not based on memorization. It is based on the understanding of information and the ability to respond to it as spontaneously and logically as possible.
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Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature
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