Course Syllabus

Back To School Night VIDEO LINK HERE

Español 1:  Introducción Avanzada

Clase Verde con la Sra. D  E  S  A  U  T  E  L  S

Link to CLASS CALENDAR of Class Work, Assignments , & Assessment Dates

Classwork that we access in class for resources such as video/audio is on

CANVAS MODULES.

Teacher:  Jennifer Desautels         Classroom: 333      Contact:  desautelsj@wellesleyps.org

Extra Help LAB Hours Room 155 Block A on DAYS 1, 3, 5, 6     Additional Times LINK

Office Hours  by appointment in Room 333,

Block A on Days 2, 4, & After School Wednesdays

 

Suggestions for MORE CONTACT with the Spanish Language:

1) Easy Spanish Videos (Link Here) presents video content for all different levels of language learners on their YouTube video channel.

2) Easy Spanish Podcasts (Link Here) presents listening content for all different levels of language learners through Google podcasts.

 

¿QUÉ ESTUDIAMOS? 

The overarching themes for Advanced Introduction to Spanish 1 are:

  • How do my choices shape who I am?
  • How am I part of a community?

La META (goal) del CURSO: 

Advanced Introduction to Spanish 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, visuals, 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 an Advanced Intro student, your initial proficiency target is Novice High and your year-end target is the Intermediate Low range highlighted and described below from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). *Please note that in each of your unit booklets the Proficiency Levels are all featured and described, not just the one below.*

ACTFL Performance Guidelines/Can-do Benchmarks:

Mode

Interpersonal 

Communication

Presentational

Speaking

Presentational 

Writing

Interpretive Listening

Interpretive Reading 


INTERMEDIATE

LOW


(This is our year-end  Proficiency Level Target.)

I can participate in conversations on a number of familiar topics using simple sentences. I can handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions.

I can present information on most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences.

I can write briefly about most familiar topics and present information using a series of simple sentences.

I can understand the main idea in short, simple messages and presentations on familiar topics. I can understand the main idea of simple conversations that I overhear.

I can understand the main idea of short and simple texts when the topic is familiar.

Following the course expectations below and bringing daily materials will positively impact your grade!!

 MATERIALES: Bring the current unit workbook, a small three-ring binder or a section of one, pen or pencil, your computer and headphones each day.  You need to keep track of your completed assessments and the feedback you get this 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 (Schedule at top of page for Block A, Room 155): If you need any kind of help in Spanish go to room 155 to see the Support Center teacher(s). (Language Lab room) One or two teachers are there at 7:30 waiting to help you. The extra help lab is open during block one!  Use the lab for homework assistance, preparing & practicing for assessments.  Stay for 5 minutes, or the whole block!

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment (schedule at top of page).  Please email or 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. Computer 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 start or complete 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 not miss 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.

 

GRADING Information:

World Language Category Weights and Descriptors 

Category

Weight

                Description

Achievement

Assessments:

10%

 

[All items in this category are stepping stones to success in the Performance Assessment category.]

-Vocabulary, grammar quizzes        (long or short).

-Memorized "learned" material (forms, rules, vocabulary).

-Completion of homework.

-Readiness for class (on time w/ necessary materials).

-Use of support services such as Spanish Extra Help Center as recommended by teacher.

Performance 

Assessments

 

 

 

90%

 

___________________________________________

-Real world tasks.

-Use of the target language in class.

-Application of learning in an actual or simulated setting.

-Relating Cultural Practices to Perspectives

Interpretive: One-way communication using receptive skills of listening & reading, sometimes enhanced by viewing.

Presentational: One-way communication using productive skills of speaking & writing, sometimes enhanced by showing.

Interpersonal:  Two-way communication between individuals using receptive skills (listening & reading, sometimes viewing), & productive skills (speaking & writing, sometimes enhanced by showing).  Meaning is negotiated between two or more people.

___________________________________________

Other important

WL procedures

to consider:

 

-Progressive Grading on large unit Performance Assessments, meaning they can be worth more as you progress through a term.

-Performance target for each task is set at "B".

-Retakes on performance assessments are unnecessary because students will have been given practice with appropriate feedback/preparation.

-There is no extra credit offered in World Languages

-All scores are individual (not group).

The World Languages Department has Sequential Term Weights (2022-2023 School Year):

Term 1 = 12%, Term 2 = 19%, Term 3 = 26%, Term 4 = 31%, E1 = 12%

Below you will find the WL Department's grading scale.  Please note that the percentages listed next to the letter grades are a WHS policy of what a letter grade equals when entered into Powerschool.  During the year your teacher will also give out some grades that are numbers (points earned, percentages) which may be higher or lower than the percentages listed below per category.

Grading_Scale_WHS.png

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due