Close

Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

¡Bienvenidos a la Clase de Español!

Welcome to Spanish Class!

Mr. Travers

Room: 146

Office: 143

traversm@wellesleyps.org

Click Here For My Back To School Night Video

Office Hours: Mondays from 2:35-3:05

*Please reach out ahead of time to ensure my availability*

What are we studying this year?

Unit 1- Identities (Latin American identities, past identities, Puerto Rican identity, identity of Guatemala)

Unit 2- How Do Immigrants Benefit Society? (why do people migrate, immigration stories, Cuban immigration)

Unit 3- Who Controls Human Rights? (Dirty War, Argentinian history)

Unit 4- What Is Art? (art, artistic movements, muralists)

How does the grading work in this class?

Performance Assessment Grading Scale

Grade

Value

Performance Description

A+ / A / A-

98% / 94.5% / 91%

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.

B+ / B / B-

88% / 84.5% / 81%

Meets Standard: Student’s learning meets the targeted performance. The student can independently create a spoken or written message using level-appropriate language.

C+ / C / C-

78% / 74.5% / 71%

Developing: Student’s learning shows the simpler aspects of targeted performance, or has important errors or omissions. The student can independently create a spoken or written message using some level and some non-level appropriate language.

D+ / D / D-

68% / 64.5% / 61%

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.

F

54.5%*

Not enough evidence to measure student learning. If a student fails a performance assessment, “F” is entered into PowerSchool. This is a WL department policy.

DNS

0%

If a student is absent unexcused to class and misses an assessment, the student receives no credit. A zero will be entered for an achievement assessment and a DNS (Did not submit) will be entered for a performance assessment.

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

 

Category Weights & Assessment Types

Category & Examples

Weight

Performance Assessments:

  • Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational assessments
  • Cultural products, practices, perspectives; In-class usage of the target language*

90%-100%

Achievement Assessments:

  • Vocabulary and Grammar quizzes
  • Homework (complete/incomplete); In-class usage of the target language*

0%-10%

Weighting of Performance Assessments

  • Use weighted average in PowerTeacher Pro. Each consecutive performance assessment increases in weight (e.g., 10pts, 20pts, 30pts). Teachers choose the increment (5s, 10s, etc.)

 

Policies: Retakes & Failures

Retakes

  • No retakes on performance assessments except for special circumstances (at teacher discretion).
  • Retakes on achievement assessments are permitted. One retake per achievement quiz.

School & Department Policies

An F as a term grade must equal 54.5% (School policy).

 

Combined ACP/H Grading Distinctions

ACP Expectation

Honors Expectation

Uses a wide variety of vocabulary from the current unit.

Uses a wide variety from the current unit, resources, and previous units.

Uses appropriate text type (phrases, connected sentences).

Uses appropriate text type and advanced connectors/transitions.

Targets grammar with errors that don't impede comprehension.

Targets grammar and incorporates previous concepts seamlessly.

 

School Term Weights

UNDERCLASSMEN

SENIORS

UNDERCLASSMEN / SENIOR PROJECT

Term 1

12%

Term 1

14%

Term 1

27%

Term 2

19%

Term 2

22%

Term 2

33%

Term 3

26%

Term 3

29%

Term 3

40%

Term 4

31%

Term 4

35%

Term 4

SP

Final Exp

12%

Final Exp

NA

Final Exp

NA

EOY Assessment Policy

  1. No early dismissals or canceled blocks. Meaningful engagement for the entire block is required.
  2. EOY percentage is 12%. Multiple assignments prior to the final block can count toward this.

End-of-Year Assessment Practices for World Languages:

    • No later than the Friday before April vacation, the themes for the EOY exam will be shared but not the actual prompts.
    • The EOY assessment is in two parts.
      • The Speaking component will be given prior to EOY blocks (6%).
      • The Writing component will be given during the 2-hour EOY block.(6%)

Extended Time Policy (Determined in collaboration with Special Education Director: The writing assessment is intended to be 1 hour or less for most students. All students are allowed an extra 30 minutes (60+30=90 minutes). Any pre-approved extended time (e.g. IEP, 504, DCAP accommodations) will need to take place beyond the 120-minute block.

 

Did you miss class? You have until the following intervention day to make up the assessment. Your teacher will be in touch with you once to remind you and it is your responsibility to find a date/time that works. After the intervention day has passed, the grade will become an F/0. 

 

What do I do if I need help in class?

Option 1: Reach out to me and we can set up a Block A or after school time so we can meet and work on your performance

Option 2: Go to the language lab (room 155) for extra help during Block A (days will vary)

Option 3: Let me know if you're interested in a peer tutor

Success Criteria For The Class (From The Program Of Studies)

This course is designed for students who want to continue to develop their language proficiency and cultural understanding . Students are expected to be confident in their ability to communicate exclusively in Spanish. We work throughout the year progress in the three modes of communication (interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal) . The course is divided into three units: Identities, Migration, and Human Rights in Latin America. We examine each theme in depth through reading, research, class conversations, presentations, films, and writing. Classroom instruction is delivered exclusively in Spanish and students are expected to communicate entirely in the language. 

Performance Target: Intermediate-High on the ACTFL Proficiency Scale.

This course is offered at the combined ACP/Honors level. Students will be placed in the Honors section for scheduling purposes only. Students will be able to designate which level they would like to be assessed at in the fall once they learn about course expectations. 

Essential Skills:

(From the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for World Languages)

Success Criteria:

ACP:

I can independently create a spoken or written message or participate in a conversation using intermediate-mid language.


Honors:

I can independently create a spoken or written message or participate in a conversation using intermediate-mid language.

 

District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.

 

While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. 

For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided. 

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due