Course Syllabus
Español 5 H/ACP
Teacher: Luz Barrientos Classroom: 330
Contact Information: barrientosl@wellesleyps.org
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays from 6:54am-7:29am in room 330
and day 4 from 7:30-8:30 in room 155
QUE ESTUDIAREMOS EN ESTE CURSO: Spanish 5 is designed for the independent motivated learner that want to explore more the Spanish speaking world. Spanish 5 is broken down into units. Each unit is examined in depth through reading, research, conversations, presentations, films and writing.
LA META del CURSO:
Spanish 5 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 5 student, your year-end target is the Advance Low (B range) to Advanced Low (A range) targets highlighted and described below from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
MATERIALS: Bring the current unit workbook, a small three-ring binder or a section of one, pen or pencil, index cards to create flash cards, 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:
- Arrival– Please arrive to class on time. Three tardies equal one class cut.
- Electronic Devices– Cell phones are put away, out of sight. When in the classroom, 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 finish an activity before leaving.
- Tarea–Homework is not accepted late because we use it in class the day it is due. Your term grade average may be lowered if you miss the practice and reinforcement from homework assignments.
- Canvas assignments-will be due at the end of class. Submissions will be posted on Power School as collected, missing or incomplete so that your parents and you can keep track of what you have or have not done. Late work will be considered missing.
- 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 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.
- Bathroom use: Please ask permission to your teacher to go to the bathroom. Remember that only one person at a time. Your phone is expected to be in your backpack since the beginning of the class. Leave it there when going to the bathroom
GRADING:
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Classical and Modern Language Category Weights and Descriptors |
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Category |
Weight |
Description |
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Achievement Assessments: |
10% for 2023-2024 school year |
[All items in this category are stepping stones to having 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 and classroom teacher, as recommended by teacher. |
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Performance Assessments |
90% for 2023-2024 school year |
-Real world tasks. -Use of the target language in class. -Application of learning in an actual or simulated setting. 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. |
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Other important CML procedures to consider: |
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-Progressive Grading on large unit Performance Assessments, meaning they may 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 based on the same learning targets, with appropriate feedback/preparation. -There is no extra credit offered. -All scores are individual (not group). |
PowerSchool 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%
The Classical & Modern Languages has Sequential Term Weights (Not for seniors)
*Term 1 = 12%, Term 2 = 19%, Term 3 = 26%, Term 4 = 31%* Final Exam= 12
LEVEL CHANGE
UP Level:
A student moves up a level in a year-long course must do so by October 1st:
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A student’s current grade will be sent forward for consideration by the receiving teacher.
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If the student is not up to date with the work in their current class, the current teacher has the discretion to factor this in when determining the grade that will move forward to the new class.
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The receiving teacher will assign the Q1 grade.
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For semester courses, the deadline to move up a level in a course is Q1/ October 1st ; Q3/ February 16th
DROP Level:
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A student may drop a level at any time throughout the year except the last cycle rotation of a quarter.
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If the student is not up to date with the work in their current class, the current teacher has the discretion to factor this in when determining the grade that will move forward to the new class.
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Grades earned in the current class will be sent to the new class to be used in future grade calculations.
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See rubrics and feedback form
-Seal of Biliteracy
The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language.
Wellesley families come from more than ten different countries and speak more than sixteen languages other than English, so whether your student studies a language at WHS or speaks another language at home, all WHS seniors are eligible to apply. The Seal of Biliteracy is a way to celebrate the district's linguistic and cultural diversity, while helping families raise multilingual children.
Most students will need to take a state-approved proficiency assessment with us at WHS (during the school day in January). We use the AAPPL for modern languages and ALIRA for Latin. In a case where a student wants to apply for a language not tested by the AAPPL (It's available in 12 languages), The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved some other assessment routes. Please contact Tim Eagan eagant@wellesleyps.org for further information on alternative assessments.
WPS Seal of Biliteracy Info Page
Seal Application for the Class of 2024
(Must be a WHS Senior Logged in with WHS Student Email)
Yours truly,
Department Head, World Languages
-Calendar/Agenda