Course Syllabus

Español 1 Clase Marrón Claro con

la Sra. D  E  S  A  U  T  E  L  S

LINK to Class Calendar

Please remember that CANVAS MODULES has links to the video/audio/readings, etc.

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

Office Hours in Room 333 on Wednesdays after school (no appointment necessary).

Additional Office Hours (by appointment) Block A on Days 3 and 7.

Extra Help & Practice LAB Hours      Room 155         Block A on DAYS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

 

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.

 

Back to School Night Video:  

 

Spanish 1 Honors & 1 ACP Course & Content 

¿QUÉ ESTUDIAMOS?  The overarching themes for Spanish 1 are:

  • How am I unique?
  • What does family mean to me?
  • How do my choices shape who I am?
  • How am I part of a community?

La META (goal) del CURSO: 

Spanish 1 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 a Spanish 1 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.

In the CLASSROOM:

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. 

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:

  • Masks & Safety Guidelines– As the year progresses, we will follow the guidelines established by the school to keep us all safe.  
  • Arrival– Please arrive to class on time.  Three tardies equal one class cut.
  • Electronic Devices– Cell phones are put away, or "parked" in the classroom parking lot.  When in the classroom, computer lids are open 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 of what someone else says, and showing that you are listening.
  • 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 may not reach its full potential if you miss the practice and reinforcement from homework assignments.
  • Pruebas– Can 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 cannot "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 Lab 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 & 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 preparation.

-There is no extra credit offered in World Languages

-All scores are individual (not group).

 

The World Languages Department has Sequential Term Weights

(2023-2024 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.

HIGH SCHOOL WL STANDARDS-BASED GRADING SCALE

A+

98%

 STRONG: Student’s learning shows in-depth inferences and applications for the targeted     performance. 

The student can independently create a spoken or written message using above-level language.

A

94.5%

A-

91%

B+

88%

MEETS STANDARD: Student’s learning meets the targeted performance. 

The student can independently create a spoken or written message using level appropriate language.

B

84.5%

B-

81%

C+

78%

DEVELOPING: Student’s learning shows the simpler aspects of the targeted performance, or has some important errors or omissions. 

The student can independently create a spoken or written message using some level and some non-level appropriate language.

C

74.5%

C-

71%

D+

68%

EMERGING: Student’s learning demonstrates only partial ability or is incomplete. 

The student can independently create a spoken or written message using non-level appropriate language.

D

64.5%

D-

61%

F

59%

Not enough evidence to measure student learning.

Powerschool enters the percentages above as equal to a "letter" grade entered in Powerschool.

Student Handbook for WHS notes the different percentages for each letter grade in general:  

A+ 97-100      B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79           D+ 67-69

A 93-96           B 83-86 C 73-76               D 63-66

A- 90-92          B- 80-82 C- 70-72            D- 60-62      F 0-59