Course Syllabus

Español 1 Introducción ACP      la  Clase.  AZUL

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

Class Calendar

Please remember that CANVAS MODULES has class videos/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)    Room 333          Block A on Days 1 & 5

Extra Help & Practice LAB Hours  8:00-8:30        Room 155         Block A on DAYS 2, 3, 4, 5 (60 min), 6, & 7

Suggestions for MORE CONTACT with the Spanish Language:

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

2) Easy Spanish Podcasts (Link Here)Links to an external site. presents listening content for all different levels of language learners.

¿QUÉ ESTUDIAMOS?

The overarching themes for Spanish 1 are:

• How am I unique? (4 units)
• What does family mean to me? (2 units)

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 and/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 Mid 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 for that unit are all featured and described, not just the “final” one below.*

In the CLASSROOM:

MATERIALS: Bring the current unit workbook, a small three-ring binder/OR a section of one/OR your workbook in a folder.  BRING a pen or pencil, your computer and headphones each day.  You need to save your completed assessments, the feedback received, and your own self reflections.  Please keep materials organized.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS: Be an active, engaged, and contributing member of the class.  Speak in Spanish and expect others to do the same. Ask questions in class!! Be sure to dedicate time each day outside of class to Spanish.  Complete homework when it is assigned. 

 CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:

• Arrival– Please arrive to class on time.  Three tardies equal one class cut.  You can also receive a tardy for leaving class for too long or arriving late from lunch.
• Electronic Devices– Cell phones & Smart Watches are "parked" in the classroom parking lot before class starts.  When class begins your computer is only open 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– One student may leave class at a time for bathroom & water.  If you leave for any other reason, please let the teacher know.  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, and writing components.  They may not always be announced in advance.  Certain Achievement Assessments can be “retaken” once in a term for a maximum grade of 85%.
• 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 with work that was due, and ready to complete any 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 Canvas and/or ask a classmate for assignments when you are gone.
• Artificial Intelligence Use -  Students may NOT use an artificial intelligence program to aid their work on an assignment unless explicitly directed to do so by their instructor. 

GRADING- Grades will be determined based on the calculations that follow. Performance Assessments are graded using the WL Department Feedback Form Rubrics which are based on the ACTFL Benchmarks seen above.  At times your teacher may use a different rubric specific to year 4 and/or an assignment.  Remember that WL term weights are sequential as you see in the table.  The rationale is that what you learn in Term 1 will need to be remembered and used in Term 2, and so on.  By Term 4 you'll be required to use all the skills and information you've learned over the year, which is why Term 4 weighs the most.

District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students.  In the 26-27 school year WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity. While some accommodations can be offered in 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.  Proactive student communication is necessary prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided. 

From the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for World Languages

Essential Skills for Spanish 1 ACP:

• Interpretive Communication - Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
• Interpersonal Communication - Interact and negotiate meaning in spontaneous spoken, signed, or written conversations to share information, reactions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and perspectives. 
• Presentational Communication - Present information, concepts, ideas, feelings, opinions, and perspectives to inform, explain, persuade and narrate on a variety of topics using appropriate media, and adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers, or viewers. 
• Intercultural Communication - Interact appropriately with others in and from another culture. 
• Cultures - Gain cultural competence and understanding. 
• Comparisons - Develop insight into the nature of language and culture to interact with cultural competence. 

Success Criteria for 1 ACP*:

• I can independently create a spoken or written message or participate in a conversation using intermediate-mid language.
• I can be easily understood by someone used to a language learner, and possibly by a native speaker who doesn’t know I’m a language learner.
• I can use a variety of words, expressions and personalized vocabulary and begin to use expanded vocabulary.  I can give details. 
• I use strings of sentences to describe or explain. I combine simple sentences using connector words to create original sentences. I pose questions to direct or advance a presentation or written work.
• I convey my knowledge of differences in familiar (learned or experienced) cultural products and practices. I use culturally appropriate vocabulary and expressions.
• My errors with targeted structures and/or word order do not interfere with communication.