Español 4ACC - Programa de estudios 2011-2012Señor Giampaolo

dana.giampaolo@timberlane.netTimberlane Regional High School

¡Bienvenidos a todos! Espero que esta clase sea una experiencia muy divertida y productiva. Vamos a trabajar duro y estudiar mucho, pero también jugaremos y aprenderemos aun más. Aprecio su cooperación en cumplir los procedimientos y protocolos de la clase porque, de veras, es la clase de ustedes, no de mí. Estoy aquí para ayudar a cada uno de ustedes. Es mi trabajo y es mi placer.

-Sr. Giampaolo

Course Description:Spanish 4 Accelerated is a course designed to help students build a more solid foundation in Spanish at an accelerated pace by exposing them to comprehensible input in the target language and challenging them to engage with others (and themselves!) in Spanish only! Through Spanish speaking media, group activities, discussions, and games, students will become more accomplished Spanish-speakers as well as come to understand various aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures.

Competencies:Upon successful completion of Spanish 4ACC, students will be able to speak, read, and write with accuracy in Spanish at a level comparable to expectations set by the ACTFL’s National Standards for World Language Education in the fourth year. The students’ comprehension of written and spoken Spanish will also be commensurate to national standards for Spanish 4. Cultural topics of relevance will be treated and students will be knowledgeable about different customs as well as linguistic differences between the target and their native language.

* As participants in an accelerated Spanish class, all students should EXPECT and PREPARE to interact with instructor and classmates EXCLUSIVELY in SPANISH!!!!!!!!

Contemplation for the year:

Bueno es saber que los vasos nos sirven para beber; lo malo es que no sabemos para qué sirve la sed.

-Antonio Machado Proverbios y cantares

Class Themes: Quarter 1: Love Quarter 3: Humor

Quarter 2: War Quarter 4: Myths, Legends and Fantasy

Expectations:

As a class, we are agreed to abide by the five-fold principle of “RESPETO” in order to ensure a fun, safe, productive, and pleasant learning environment. Students are expected to act in a manner in which they always show respect to: 1.) themselves 2.) their classmates/peers 3.) their instructor 4.) their community 5.) their planet. This helps us eliminate the need for many rules and allows us to reflect daily on our behavior/attitude and how we treat others.

As young adults, students are expected to work with the adults in their lives to understand and appreciate the “rules” we must follow and why they exist.

Students failing to respect our guiding principle will be issued a gentle reminder at first. Repeated lack of respect will result in a mandatory teacher conference and call/email home. Further disrespect will incur a detention and call/email home as well as an administrative write-up. Please act in the manner which you wish/deserve to be treated so that the whole class may enjoy our short time learning together.

To ensure students are able to participate in class activities and improve each day, students must bring to class:

* Their student agenda * Writing utensil*A notebook/binder and folder for notes/handouts

To ensure students are not distracting themselves and/or others, mobile phones and personal electronic devices will be turned off and put away before class begins.

All impending classwork/homework/quizzes/projects/tests will be posted on the class Moodle site and reviewed at the start and/or end of class. Please be informed and aware.Many assignments will be allowed to be turned in electronically, but certain times students will need a hard copy or hand written version of their work. Please adhere to directions.

Procedures:

At the start of class, students enter quietly, sit at their assigned seats, prepare to hand in work from a prior day when necessary, and begin to focus on the “Buenos Días” activity being projected and await further instructions. Students will return desks to their correct positions and assist others in organizing the room in the last 3 minutes of class and await instructor’s dismissal.

Students will tend to their personal needs between classes so as to avoid missing instruction. In emergencies, bathroom permits may be obtained after the first 10 min. of class and before the last 10 min. Only 1 student should be out of the class at a time.

Grading Policy:

Grades are measured quarterly by the student’s performance and progress in the following 4 language skills as demonstrated in classwork and homework assignments as well as quizzes, tests, and various projects each quarter.

Speaking = 25% Listening = 25% Reading = 25% Writing = 25% = Final Grade100%

Speaking evaluations:* Weekly class discussions * Pair/group chats * Oral test/quizzes* Oral analyses * ”Hablar al azar” * Skits/plays

Listening evaluations:* Comprehension checks * Dictation/Follow ups * Tests/quizzes* Listening assignments * Instruction following * Clips

Reading evaluations:* Comprehension checks * Translations * Summaries* Reactions/reflections * Tests/quizzes * Analyses

Writing evaluations:* Weekly journals * Mini-essays *Forums/chats

* Peer review process * Structure/vocabulary tests/quizzes

To be better informed of instructor expectations, please refer to rubrics for speaking, listening, and writing evaluations (electronic document: Spanish Assessment Rubrics)

Dates to keep in mind:

End of first quarter: November 9End of second quarter/first semester: January 25End of third quarter: April 5End of fourth quarter/second semester: June 18 (pending snow day additions)

Homework:

Spanish 4ACC students have homework EVERY NIGHT: to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing Spanish. It is essential to practice in and out of the classroom regularly, in addition to completing obligatory assignments. However, in order to keep pace, more structured homework assignments will be given increasingly if it is apparent students are not practicing on their own.

Late work/make-up work:

Given the pseudo-linear nature of the course’s work, it is important to be timely with completing assignments to keep one’s grade current and stay up-to-date with concepts being discussed in class. The purpose of all assignments is to show competency and build upon Spanish skills. Unexcused late work may not be an accurate assessment after 24-hours. Therefore, any unexcused late assignments may potentially be changed and/or added to by the instructor. As many assignments may be passed in electronically, there are very few opportunities to lose/forget/not know about assignments. Please plan ahead. Students whose work is late due to an excused absence will have 24 hours from the due date/class time to complete the assignment for full points. Unexcused late work will be accepted for a ½ to full letter grade reduction 24 hours late. It is highly encouraged to be timely with homework!

Any missed assignment where class time was given to complete (quiz, essay, project, test, etc.) will need to be made up outside of class time; before or after school unless otherwise arranged between instructor and student. Unexcused/excused absence rule applies: students should make the work up as soon as possible to avoid point deductions.

Extra help:

Señor Giampaolo is available most days after school and sometimes before school starts to provide extra help and sometimes as an opportunity to make-up missed assessments in room 106. Please make an appointment Monday through Thursday if you are in need of extra help or make-up.

FINALLY…we are ready to learn!

Remember: Learning Spanish can be very difficult at times and feel very awkward. Similar to the way in which you learned English as a baby, it takes some time, repetition, and an open mind to be able to communicate effectively, even in the most basic manner. While some students may pick up concepts and vocabulary quickly, others may find more difficulty in learning. Please be patient with others and yourself. It is not expected that you are completely fluent after this course, but it is expected that you try to master what we cover in class and do your best to communicate as authentically as you can. As you progress, be honest with yourself about how you are doing and why things are going that way. If you ever feel you aren’t doing as well as you should, before you panic, complete this auto evaluation and adjust your strategy and/or attitude toward class.

True Kind of Not really Not at all

I am giving my best every day: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

I am practicing regularly: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

I am seeking help when I need it : ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

I am learning/retaining a lot: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

I am having fun: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Your instructor is here to help you! Please seize this opportunity to learn and grow as much as you want to/can! This is your class and your future…have fun and enjoy!