Susquehanna Township High School 2017-2018

Harrisburg, PA 17109

(717) 657-5117

Spanish II

Syllabus

Text: Realidades II textbook & workbook

Grades: 9-12

Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Vogelsong

Course Description:

In this course students will continue to learn vocabulary and grammatical concepts necessary for oral and written communication in Spanish. The class will focus on the four basic skills of (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through the context of Hispanic culture. Due to the interactive nature of a language class, active participation in class activities and good study habits are essential to success.

Critical Competencies:

  1. Demonstrate low-intermediate proficiency across the four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  2. Communicate in real life situations and start to express opinions on topics of interest.
  3. Use a variety of more complex tenses and grammatical structures.
  4. Carry on more extended conversations and create the language.
  5. Read and comprehend the general idea of a variety of written texts.
  6. Identify cultural differences in Spanish-speaking countries.

Sequence of topics:

Para empezar: Review of Spanish I vocabulary and grammar

Capítulo 1A: school-related vocabulary, stem-changing verbs and irregular “yo” verbs in the present tense; proper placement of affirmative and negative words

Capítulo1B: the irregular verb ir; the immediate future tense; free time activities; differences between saber and conocer; comparisons and superlatives

Capítulo 2A: clothing, colors, and body parts; possessive adjectives; differences between ser and estar; reflexive verbs

Capítulo 2B: payment methods and purchases; the preterite tense of regular verbs; describing past events; proper adjective agreement

Capítulo 3A: telling time; preterite of irregular verbs; proper placement and agreement of direct object pronouns

Capítulo 3B: prepositions; asking for and giving directions; regular and irregular familiar commands; present progressive tense

Repaso: Review of all Spanish II vocabulary and grammar for the final exam


Required Class Materials:

  1. Text and workbook
  2. Pens and pencils
  3. 3-ring binder
  4. Lined paper
  5. School-issued laptop (charged)

Students are expected to bring all of the above to class every day. Students who come to class unprepared will lose participation points and repeated offenses could result in disciplinary action.

Class Expectations:

Every student is expected to be:

1.  Prompt: Be in your assigned seat prepared to learn BEFORE the late bell rings. If the bell is ringing, you are already late. Remain in your seats until the teacher dismisses you.

  1. Prepared: Bring all required materials including text and homework to class everyday. Students are not permitted to go to their locker during class.
  2. Polite: Treat this class, the teacher and fellow students with respect at all times. Do not talk while someone else has the floor.
  3. Positive: Maintain a positive attitude about learning, class activities, and cultural differences.

Honesty Policy:
Students are expected to do their own work. Any student caught copying or allowing someone to copy his/her work is considered to be cheating. If there is any doubt to the originality of an assignment, all parties involved will receive a zero. Using a computer or internet translator to write an assignment is considered cheating and is not acceptable. These assignments will also receive a zero.

Homework/Classwork Policy:

Homework allows you to reinforce what you have done in class. If there is no written assignment, students are expected to study vocabulary and concepts from the current chapter. Homework and classwork assignments are not accepted late unless the student was legally absent (see Student Handbook). In the case of major projects, students will lose 10% for every class period that the project is late. No late project will be accepted more than 2 days after the due date.

Absentee/Makeup Work Policy:

Only students who are legally absent will be allowed to make up missed assignments. Assignments made prior to the student’s absence are due upon returning to school. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all work that was assigned during his/her absence. The student has 3 school days to complete and turn in missed assignments including tests and quizzes. A zero will be given for any assignments that were not completed and turned in within the grace period. Missed tests/quizzes or presentations must be made up at a time convenient for the student and teacher. Class time is not acceptable.

In the case of an extended illness, please refer to the information posted on www.hannasd.org to receive assignments. Upon returning to school, the student should meet with the teacher to set up a schedule of assignments and due dates.

Prearranged Absences:

If a student is going to miss class due to a field trip, school-related activity or prearranged event (such as driver instruction), s/he is expected to follow the regular deadlines with the rest of the class. Quizzes, tests, and presentations take precedence over these activities.

Unexcused Absences:

In the case of an unexcused absence, a zero will be given for all missed assignments as per school policy.

Grading Policy: Quarter grades are weighted as follows

Academic output 25%

This category includes the attitude toward and effort you put forth toward your learning and academic success each day. This includes active participation in all class activities and good behavior. Students are also graded on their willingness to use strictly Spanish in class. Repeated use of English may lower grade.

Assessments 50%

Includes quizzes, chapter exams and other projects such as; presentations, interviews, skits, essays, etc. I will always announce in advance when an assignment falls under this category.

Homework/Classwork 25%

This category includes practice done both in and out of class such as book/workbook assignments or worksheets, writing, reading, speaking, listening and online activities.

Determining the final grade: Each marking period counts as 20% of the final grade (total of 80% of the final grade). The semester exams count as the additional 20% (10% for the mid-term and 10% for the final exam).

Passing the course: Students must satisfactorily meet the requirements listed above as well as achieve a final average of 60% in order to pass the course. A final average of 75% is needed in order to be recommended to Spanish III (90% for III Honors).

How to reach me:

My class is held in Room 214. Students who need to make up work should email me and make an appointment to ensure that there will not be any conflicting engagements. I am a half-time teacher and am not available in the afternoons.