Español III – Syllabus

Brandon Valley High School  ~  582-3211

La Señora Lockner

 

 

 

Purpose:   continue to learn how to communicate with Spanish speakers and understand their cultures

 

 

Course Objective

 

Students build on previous coursework and acquire additional vocabulary with the goal of engaging in the authentic communications tasks needed when encountering Spanish-speakers. They continue to study the geography and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries to build on their understanding of the people who use Spanish as their primary language.

 

 

Materials

 

Each student MUST obtain the following:

(1)   a three-ring binder with a pocket

(2)   set of tabbed dividers

(3)   a spiral notebook to be used only for this class or a supply of loose-leaf paper

With these items students will create and organize their own texts with vocabulary pages, reference handouts, stories, homework assignments, etc. The student must bring the binder to class every day. If a student still has the binder from last year and it is still in good condition, he/she may continue to use it.

 

 

Assignments

 

Students should keep track of assignments in the daily planner. Students may earn full credit for assignments turned in on time.  They may earn up to 50% credit for papers that are one day late as per the teacher’s discretion.    Students who work on make up work or late assignments in class receive no credit for that assignment.   Señora Lockner is available to students for help before and after school for questions and assistance. Señora Lockner can be reached via e-mail at Leah.Lockner@k12.sd.us or by phone at the high school at 582-3211 or at home (before 10:00 PM please!) at 868-0958

 

 

Grading

 

Grades are averaged as follows:

            60% - tests

            20% - quizzes

15% - homework

             5% - daily work           

 

Quizzes and tests are generally not announced ahead of time. Research in foreign language learning strongly supports the view that no one acquires a second language by cramming at the last minute just because of a test. Instead, students need to devote a minimum of ten minutes per day reviewing what was presented in class that day in addition to what has been presented previously. Naturally, more time may be necessary to complete specific homework assignments, but the ten-minute review is essential. Also, a significant portion of the student’s grade is participation, and if he/she is fully participating as directed, he/she will easily acquire the majority of what is needed to achieve success in the class. All students should plan on studying with the full knowledge that there could be a quiz or test at any time.

 

 

Grading Scale

 

A   94.50 - 100                        B-   82.50 - 85.49                    D+ 70.50 - 73.49

A-  91.50 - 94.49                     C+  79.50 - 82.49                    D   67.50 - 70.49

B+ 88.50 - 91.49                     C    76.50 - 79.49                    D-  64.50 - 67.49

B   85.50 - 88.49                      C-   73.50 - 76.49                    F    64.49 and below

 

 

Semester Grade is averaged as follows:

Quarter 1-- 40%

Quarter 2 --40%

Semester Test -- 20%

 

Cheating

 

A student caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment, quiz or test.

 

Participation

 

Participating in Spanish class is very important for the student to be successful and learn the new language. 

 

Absent Student Folder

 

Students are required to check the absent student folder whenever they are absent for any reason.  The folder will contain all pertinent information from the missed day. It is the students’ responsibility to check the binder for their assignments and get the work completed according to school policy, as expressed in the student handbook.

 

 

Classroom Rules

 

Rules from the school handbook apply in addition to the rules posted in the classroom by the teacher.

 

 

Course Outline

 

The major portion of each class period is devoted to acquiring new vocabulary.  Activities from the Realidades 2 & 3 textbook will also be incorporated into class.  Additional reading, listening, speaking and writing activities as well as a more intense study of grammatical concepts than in previous levels will be included throughout the course.  In level three students read even more than in the past as reading provides an excellent source of comprehensible input in addition to the Spanish spoken in class.