Course Syllabus
Bienvenidos a la clase de Español
Heritage Speakers: Nuestras Raíces
Teacher: Luz Barrientos Classroom: 330
Contact Information: barrientosl@wellesleyps.org
Office hours: Tuesdays from 2:30-3:05 in room 330. Day 3 from 8:00-8:30 in room 154.
Bachata
This course is for heritage speakers (any student who speaks Spanish at home, has a personal, familial, or community connection to Spanish, can understand conversations) who would like to strengthen their reading and writing skills. The general objectives of this course are to develop competence in students’ reading and writing, to master certain grammar points particular to heritage speakers, to help them improve their presentational skills, and take into account the experiences and influences of their bilingual and bicultural upbringing. Students will explore intercultural and bicultural themes through the study of literature, history, current events, and celebrations.
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)
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Interpretive Communication - Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
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Interpersonal Communication - Interact and negotiate meaning in spontaneous spoken, signed, or written conversations to share information, reactions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and perspectives
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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.
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Intercultural Communication - Interact appropriately with others in and from another culture.
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Cultures - Gain cultural competence and understanding.
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Comparisons - Develop insight into the nature of language and culture to interact with cultural competence.
Goals of this course:
This course offers many benefits to heritage speakers because students can practice and polish oral, reading and writing skills.
1.Students can learn more about their cultural heritage as well as history, political and socio-economic issues of Spanish-speaking world.
2.Students can meet other students with similar experiences.
3.Students can learn about language variation, traditions, music, Hispanic/Latin identity, current events and literature of Iberoamérica as well as gaining awareness and understanding about Hispanic communities in the USA.
4. Students can explore the formal and informal use of both oral and written language.
High School WL Performance Assessments Grading Scale
This is a WHS policy and NOT your teacher's decision:
Important:
1.If a student fails a performance assessment, “F” is entered into PS (This is a WL department policy).
2.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.
3.An “F” as a term grade must equal 54.5%. (This is a school policy, not a WL policy).
4.No extra credit will be offered at any point throughout this year.
5.Meeting the performance target for the course will earn a student a B grade
6.The CML department will still adhere to sequential grading in which chosen assessments throughout a term or semester may increase in weight as the term/semester progresses (meaning a student’s most recent assessments may carry the most weight).
7. All grades are individual (not group)
8.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 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. 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.
High School Category Weights
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Performance Assessments:
Relating Cultural Practices to Perspectives Retakes are not permitted in performance assessments |
90% - 100% |
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Achievement on Grammar and Vocabulary:
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0% - 10% |
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The Classical & Modern Languages has Sequential Term Weights.
*Term 1 = 12%, Term 2 = 19%, Term 3 = 26%, Term 4 = 31%* Final Exam= 12% (writing exam)
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. Your teacher will assign you a number in the shoe organizer in front of the class to place your phone there. 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 or when announce. 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 at the beginning of class in the shoe organizer in front of the classroom. Leave it there when going to the bathroom
Materials
Bring the current unit workbook every day, pen or pencil, color pencils 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.
Changing Levels
Please see ps. 43-42 of Students' handbook.
Extra help in Language Lab room #155
Calendar/Agenda