Susquehanna TownshipHigh School 2012-2013
(717) 657-5117
Spanish IV Honors Grades:11-12
Length: 36 weeks Periodsper cycle: 6
Text: Realidades (nivel 3) textbook& workbook Teacher: Mrs. Kerry Snell
Syllabus
Course Description:
In this course students will continue to learn vocabularyand grammatical concepts necessary for oral and written communication inSpanish. Spanish IV Honors is a fast-pacedintensive study of the Spanish language and its cultures. This class is conducted almost entirely inSpanish and students are expected to use exclusively Spanish in class. Due to the interactive nature of a languageclass, active participation in class activities and good study habits areessential to success.
CriticalCompetencies:
- Demonstrate high-intermediate proficiency across the four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Communicate in real life situations, give advice and express opinions on topics of interest and current events.
- Use a variety of complex tenses and grammatical structures.
- Carry on extended conversations and create culturally appropriate language in a variety of settings.
- Comprehend and synthesize a variety of written and spoken texts.
- Identify cultural differences in Spanish-speaking countries.
Sequence of topics:
1st Quarter
Capítulo1: Pastime and nature related vocabulary, descriptions of pastevents (preterite and imperfect tenses), the importance of Santiago deCompostela, the legend of Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl
2nd Quarter
Capítulo2:Descriptions of the arts, use of adjectives, comparatives andsuperlatives, the uses of the preterite and the imperfect tenses, use of thepast participle, differences between ser and estar, the art and life ofFrancisco Goya and other prominent Spanish-speaking artists, literary reading -Cuandoera puertorriqueña, music –Corazónespinado
Capítulo3: Health, nutrition and physical fitness, direct and indirect objectpronouns, commands, formation of present subjunctive, impersonal expressions and verbs of volition,the games of the indigenous people of Mexico, music – A Dios le pido
3rd Quarter
Capítulo4: Relationships, conflicts and resolutions, other uses of reflexiveverbs, subjunctive with verbs of emotion, the uses of por and para, nosotros commands, possessive pronouns,the importance of the arts in Hispanic culture, poetry, music – Otro día más sin verte
Capítulo5: Careers and the community, position of pronouns, present and pastperfect tenses, present perfect subjunctive and its uses, demonstrativeadjectives and pronouns, prominent Hispanics in America, cultural reading- Lapobreza
4th Quarter
Capítulo6: Professions, the future and the impact of science and technology onour lives, the impersonal “se”, the future tense, using the future to expressprobability , the future perfect tense, review of object pronouns, architectureof the future, literary reading-Rosa
Repaso: Review of all Spanish IV Honorsvocabulary, grammar and cultural concepts for the final exam
Required ClassMaterials:
- Text and workbook – both must be covered!
- Pens and pencils
- 3-ring binder
- Lined paper
Students are expected to bring all of the above to classevery day. Students who come to classunprepared will lose participation points and repeated offenses could result indisciplinary action.
Class Expectations:
Every student is expected to be:
- Prompt: Be in your assigned seat prepared to learn BEFORE the late bell rings. If the bell is ringing, you are already late. Remain in your seats until the teacher dismisses you.
- Prepared: Bring all required materials including text and homework to class everyday. Students are not permitted to go to their locker during class.
- Polite: Treat this class, the teacher and fellow students with respect at all times. Do not talk while someone else has the floor.
- Positive: Maintain a positive attitude about learning, class activities, and cultural differences.
Honesty Policy:
Students are expected to do their own work. Any student caught copying or allowing someone to copy his/her work isconsidered to be cheating. If there is anydoubt to the originality of an assignment, all parties involved will receive azero. Using a computer or internettranslator to write an assignment is considered cheating and is not acceptable. These assignments will also receive azero.
Homework/ClassworkPolicy:
Homework is regularly assigned (generally 3-4 assignmentsper week). If there is no writtenassignment, students are expected to study vocabulary and concepts from thecurrent chapter. Daily homeworkassignments are not accepted late unless the student was legally absent(see Student Handbook). In the case ofmajor projects, students will lose 10% for every class period that the projectis late. No late project will beaccepted more than 3 days after the due date.
Absentee/Makeup WorkPolicy:
Only students who are legally absent will be allowed to makeup missed assignments. Assignments madeprior to the student’s absence are due upon returning to school. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all work that wasassigned during his/her absence. Assignments are posted on schoolwires (www.hannasd.org). The student has one week to complete and turnin missed assignments including tests and quizzes. A zero will be given for any assignments thatwere not completed and turned in within the one week grace period. It is preferable to make up missed tests,presentations and quizzes before school. However; students may use class time at the teacher’s discretion withthe understanding that the student is still responsible for any work missedthat day.
In the case of an extended illness, please refer to theinformation posted on www.hannasd.org toreceive assignments. Upon returning toschool, the student should meet with the teacher to set up a schedule ofassignments and due dates.
Prearranged Absences:
If a student is going to miss class due to a field trip,school-related activity or prearranged event (such as driver instruction), s/heis expected to follow the regular deadlines with the rest of the class. Quizzes tests, and presentations takeprecedence over these activities.
Unexcused Absences:
In the case of an unexcused absence, a zero will be givenfor all missed assignments as per school policy.
Grading Policy:
Speaking 20%
Activities may include interviews,speeches, role plays, etc. Students are also graded on their willingness to usestrictly Spanish in class. Repeated useof English may lower grade.
Writing 20%
This category may includesentences, paragraphs, reflections, posters, web pages and other activities.
Assessments 50%
Includes quizzes, chapter examsand other projects such as; presentations, interviews, skits, essays, etc. I will always announce in advance when anassignment falls under this category.
Homework/Class work 10%
This category includes simplepractice activities such as book/workbook assignments or worksheets.
Determining the final grade: Each marking period counts as 20% ofthe final grade (total of 80% of the final grade). The semester exams count as the additional20% (10% for the mid-term and 10% for the final exam).
Passing the course: Students must satisfactorily meet therequirements listed above as well as achieve a final average of 60% in order topass the course. A final average of 85% is needed in order to be recommendedto Advanced Placement Spanish
Office Hours:
My class is located in room 215. Students who require tutoring or need to makeup work can meet with me before school (please make an appointment to ensurethere are not any scheduling conflicts) or during the designated tutoring time2:24-2:45.
