Course: Spanish IV

Year: 2017-2018

Instructor: Señora Wagner, Room 74

Email:

Course Description:

The Spanish IV course practices advanced grammar and language skills. Students practice communication using complex phrases as well as original sentences and dialogues that they create in more detail than in Spanish III. The course continues to explore the Spanish-speaking countries of the world through culture, geography, and history. A portion of this class will be provided as a ‘flipped classroom’, and MUCH of the work will be independent.

Resources Used: text- ¡Enespañol! By McDougal Littell; Teacher-produced materials

Homework Policy and Philosophy:

Acquiring skills in a foreign language requires daily practice. Classroom activities and assignments must be completed on time in order to follow a logical progression of language acquisition. Students are encouraged to practice the language with their peers, parents, siblings, friends, and anyone else who can encourage their progress on a daily basis.

If a student is absent, he/she will have the same number of days to make up missed work for full credit, unless the assignment was given in advance prior to the absence. Without an absence, any assignment not turned in at the start of the class period will result in a zero if the answers are reviewed in class. If not reviewed, the student may turn the assignment in the following day only for half-credit.

Students leaving for extended time frames requesting homework assignments prior to the absence must give at least a 2 day advance request for such materials.

**IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE TEACHER TO FIND OUT WHAT ASSIGNMENTS, QUIZZES, ETC ARE TO BE MADE UP PRIOR TO OR FOLLOWING AN ABSENCE.

Grading: The district has established a set grading scale for all courses as follows:

92-100 A

84-91 B

72-83 C

60-71 D

50-59 F

Grading is determined by work completed on quizzes, exams, homework, projects, participation, and classroom activities. If you have further questions about the district’s grading procedures, please refer to pages 23-24 in the student handbook.

Academic Integrity: “Students caught cheating on assignments will be given a ‘0’ (zero) on that assignment. In addition, their names will be reported to the office and filed in the event of future violations. Repeated violations could result in removal from class and a non-passing grade. It can also result in being barred or removed from the National Honor Society.” Student Handbook, page 6.

Classroom Rules:

1. Never mock any person’s attempt at speaking in the target language. There is ZERO tolerance for this type of behavior. Respect others. Each student and adult is an individual deserving of respect, regardless of gender, race, intelligence, or culture. Judgments against such qualities will NOT be tolerated.

2. Bring required notebook, PENCIL, and materials to class every day. You will need your PENCIL, notebook, folder/binder, and assignments every day.

3. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings. Careful planning before your day begins will help ensure that you have all the supplies you need, and that you should not need to arrive late.

***If you need to use the restroom, please come to class first and check in with me. If you choose to stop along the way and you are late, you will be warned the first time and receive detention for each late arrival thereafter.

4. Listen and stay seated unless given permission to do otherwise. This includes Channel One time.

5. Raise your hand and wait to be called upon before you speak.

6. Follow directions the first time they are given. I will be very specific when I give directions on activities or assessments. If you listen instead of working first, you won’t have to ask me what’s going on. 

7. Turn in assignments at the beginning of class. *If you have a question about an assignment that you will be working on, you need to raise your hand and ask BEFORE you leave class. There are likely to be other students with the same question. Students may not use an excuse of not understanding the assignment to avoid completing homework. Time is always given to ask about each activity prior to leaving class.

Units of Study:

We will cover approximately 8 units of study this year, as well as a cumulative exam administered during the 4th grading period. Throughout these units we will practice speaking exclusively in Spanish while exploring the following topics:

Review of Spanish III, Don Quijote, travel, descriptions, houses, subjunctive mood, health/illness, Spain, directions, opinions, comparatives/superlatives, using money, nature/conservation, Costa Rica,nosotros commands, conditional tense, professions, and more!

Please join us for Spanish Club!

We have many exciting activities and events planned this year!

I look forward to teaching you again this year! Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)