Course Syllabus

Spanish 2 Honors       LA CLASE ROJA

Teacher:  Jennifer Desautels         Classroom: 333

Contact Information:  desautelsj@wellesleyps.org

REMOTE LEARNING 2.0 

Classes & Work Times are posted on CANVAS CALENDAR.  

Work is POSTED in CANVAS MODULES.

To Access Class Assignment Calendar Click Here

Course Content:  The over-arching theme for the Spanish 2 Honors year of study is:  What does it take to lead a happy & healthy life? This theme is broken down into sub-units of study such as:  What makes a good friend?, How do I care for myself?  What do I do everyday to be happy & healthy?  What do I do if I become ill or have an accident?, How do I connect with others through food, music, and celebrations?, & How do technology and social media help me express myself and connect with others?

Course Goals:  Spanish 2 Honors students will spend the year with a focus on proficiency.  Proficiency is the degree to which you can communicate in Spanish should you suddenly find yourself in a situation that requires you to speak or understand Spanish without having prepared.  On our path to achieve our target proficiency goal, we will include many authentic resources (videos, articles, websites) that have been created for native Spanish speakers, not for a classroom.  Students will improve their proficiency within the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational.  As a Spanish 2 Honors student, your year-end target is the lower end of the Intermediate-Mid range described below from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.   

ACTFL PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES / Can-do BENCHMARKS:

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:

I can participate in conversations on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences.  I can handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering a variety of questions.  I can usually say what I want to say about myself and my everyday life.

PRESENTATIONAL SPEAKING: I can make presentations on a wide variety of familiar topics using connected sentences.

PRESENTATIONAL WRITING:  I can write on a wide variety of familiar topics using connected sentences.

INTERPRETIVE LISTENING: I can understand the main idea in messages and presentations on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests/studies.  I can understand the main idea in conversations that I overhear.

INTERPRETIVE READING: I can understand the main idea of texts related to everyday life and personal interests/studies.

MATERIALS: Bring the current unit workbook, a small three-ring binder or a section of one, pen or pencil, your computer and headphones each day.  It is necessary for you to keep track of your completed performance assessments and the feedback you get throughout the year.  Please keep your materials organized.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS: Be an active, engaged and contributing member of the class.  Speak in Spanish and require others to do the same! Ask questions in class!! Ask me to help! Be sure to dedicate time each day outside of class to absorb what we did during class in addition to completing homework when it is assigned. 

SPANISH EXTRA HELP (Block 1 on DAYS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 in Room 155): If you need any kind of help or practice in Spanish go to room 155 to see the Support Center teacher(s). (Language Lab room 155) One or two teachers are there every morning at 7:30 waiting to help you.   Use the lab for homework assistance, preparing & practicing for assessments.  Stay for 5 minutes, or the whole block!

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment.  Please speak to Sra. Desautels to make an appointment.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:

• Arrival– Please arrive to class on time, especially after lunch or on an "8:30 day". Three tardies equal one class cut.
• Electronic Devices– Cell phones are "parked" in the classroom parking lot. Computers lids are up only with teacher permission.
• Hablar en español–Your term grade average will be lowered if you don’t speak in Spanish.
• Active Engagement– It is necessary to participate in all activities and conversations actively. Asking questions, building off what someone else says, and showing that you are listening, are examples.
• Citizenship– Always be kind and respectful to your classmates and teacher, help others when you are able.
• Leaving Classroom– It is important that you communicate to me that you are leaving the classroom and where you will be. At times, I may ask you to finish an activity before leaving.
• Tareas–Homework is not accepted late because we use it in class the day it is due. Your term grade average will be lowered if you miss homework assignments.
• Pruebas-May have listening, speaking, reading or writing components and may not always be announced in advance.
• Larger Assessments-Performance Assessments will be announced at least 5 days in advance.
• Absences- Please do all that you can not to miss Spanish class. Speaking, listening, and engaging with the content in class is something you may not be able to "make up".   Come to class after an absence prepared to turn in work due, and complete the assessment you missed.  If you arrange an appointment for a make-up outside of class time, do notmiss that appointment time or you may receive a grade of zero for that assignment.  It is your responsibility to check on-line and/or ask a classmate for assignments when you are gone.  

The Classical & Modern Languages has Sequential Term Weights:

Term 1 = 14%, Term 2 = 22%, Term 3 = 29%, Term 4 = 35%

Power School calculates each letter grade as equal to the percentage listed next to it below.  This is a WHS policy and NOT your teacher's decision:

A+ = 98%, A = 94.5%, A- = 91%

B+ = 88%, B = 84.5%, B- = 81%

C+ = 78%, C = 74.5 %, C- = 71%

D+ = 68%, D = 64.5 %, D- = 61%

F= 55%