Course Syllabus

 Welcome to Spanish 1!  ¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español 1!

Here is some basic information on the course and what is expected from you this year.

Instructor:  Kimberly Kaufman, room 241

Contact Information: kaufmank@wellesleyps.org

Click here for your Spanish 3 Class Calendar.

Materials required for class every day:

• computer with a full charge

• headphones

• your class workbook

• a pen or pencil

• a folder or binder to file away classwork, worksheets, assessments.

How can I get help in Spanish?

• Go to the Spanish Help Lab (room 155) to get help from Sra. O'Neill - Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 ⇨ Block 1 only.

• Click on the class calendar to see when there is peer help in the Language Lab (room 155).

• Email your teacher (kaufmank@wellesleyps.org) or speak with her to make an appointment for help (block 1, @ 2:30 or during some red, blue or tan blocks).

What do I do if I am not in class?  

• Click on your class calendar to see what we did in class and make it up.

• Email or speak with your teacher to schedule a make up assessment (if you missed one).  You have two school days to make up assessments that you miss due to an excused absence.

How is my term grade computed?

25% of the term will be for Achievement Assessments (vocabulary & grammar) and homework completion.

75% of the term will be Performance Assessments (Interpretive, Presentational, Interpersonal)

Click here for the Grading Policy for Classical and Modern Languages

How is my end of year grade computed?

Term 1 = 14% of your year end grade

Term 2 = 22% of your year end grade

Term 3 = 29% of your year end grade

Term 4 = 35% of your year end grade

There is no final exam, but rather a portfolio assessment (see below).

The rationale for this increase in percentages is that what you learn in Term 1 will need to be remembered and used in Term 2, and so on, so by Term 4 you'll be required to use all the skills and information you've learned over the year.

Keep a portfolio

You should save your assessments and rubrics (essays, letters, audio recordings, video recordings, projects -> anything that is assessed and graded).  In January and in June you will have a portfolio reflection which will be your mid year and end of year assessments.  You are responsible for being able to show your progress over the year with evidence.  You will show this through written reflections and an interview with your teacher.  You may make an electronic (Google Drive) portfolio or keep papers at home and recorded items on your desktop.

What is Proficiency?  How will I learn Spanish in this class?

We will spend the year working towards proficiency.  Proficiency is the degree to which you can communicate in Spanish if you suddenly find yourself in a situation where you have to speak or understand Spanish, and have had no preparation for this interaction.  For example, you don't know what the topic of conversation will be.  We will use authentic resources (videos, articles, web sites, etc.) that were created for native Spanish speakers, not for the classroom.  This will help you to be ready to go out into the world and to use your Spanish.

Rubric:  Presentational

Your grades will be computed as described in the above rubric.  Exclusive use of Spanish in class is also a large part of your grade. 

Course Themes: 

• Unidad 1 - How am I unique?

I can exchange introductory information with others.  I can describe myself and others.  I can describe my typical school day.  I can ask and answer questions about what people do in their free time.

• Unidad 2 - What does family mean to me?  

I can express what a family is and who I consider to be part of mine.  I can explain my family traditions and compare them to the traditions of others.

• Unidad 3 - How do my choices shape who I am?

I can explain what I choose to do when I have free time.  I can explain what people eat and why.  I can talk about how clothing reflects who people are.

• Unidad 4 - How am I part of a community?

I can explain how personal space defines and reflects someone.  I can make recommendations for places to visit and things to do in my community.  I can explain how being a good citizen can improve my community.