Course Name: Spanish levels IV and V (honors) Teacher: Mr. Gustavo Benedetti gbenedetti@moeller.org Voicemail: (513) 791-1680; ext. 1991 Please check the Spanish class web site here: http://homepages.moeller.org/gbenedetti/Las%20clases/Espa%C3%B1ol%20IV/Espa%C3%B1ol%20IV,% 20front%20page.htm Extra help will be provided at room 232; however getting a tutor is highly advisable Moeller High School, a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition developing leadership in young men My philosophy of teaching and learning a second language is very simple, a beginning second language student who can communicate orally and comprehend at his/her level what others say is a successful story; according to my experience and research in second language acquisition, teachers who can facilitate students' communication development opens the door for that student to continue mastering that language which should, after all, be the ultimate objective for both, the language program and the student. Oral communication development and listening comprehension should assure a positive attitude by a second language student toward the subject; eventually, this could keep the learner studying four instead of the two years that most students see themselves involved with when starting traditional language programs. Finally, I will conduct my classes in Spanish and students are encouraged to use it as the only communication tool during class. Honors Spanish IV and V is the final course in the sequence of our Spanish language program. Speaking, reading, listening and writing are covered in every class at an accelerated pace; students will read, listen to and react by speaking and writing to issues affecting or benefiting people and the environment. In addition, students will be encouraged to expand their knowledge of world issues through research and present their views through Power Point presentations either by groups or by themselves. Emphasis is placed on students’ ability to communicate their reactions thoroughly and correct usage of the language. Students are expected to use Spanish all the time. The classroom experience, as it is expected, should provide an appreciation and development of cultural themes of the Spanish speaking world and also motivate students to be aware of the global issues that will challenge them as they become global people. Finally, this course uses the textbook Mundo 21 and mostly the wide array of content found in Spanish Internet newspapers and other selected readings. Spanish IV y V Honor, Syllabus This is an honors-level course designed to facilitate your communication and enhance the verbal language skills you have already acquired in levels I-III. In this course you will be immersed in the world of cultures and civilizations of Spanish speaking people. The main content of this course includes current events in society and in the Spanish world, which we can access via Internet from both reading and listening; additional topics to be covered in this class are related to the history, literature and art of the multiethnic Spanish speaking people.
While you will become familiar with and review grammar, this is not the primary objective of the course. This course will be taught in Spanish, and all students are expected to use Spanish in class in order to ask and answer questions and communicate. Since this is an honors course, it is important that you be dedicated and willing to work hard whether on individual projects or with partners in groups. If you have a sincere wish to polish and master Spanish as your second language, then this class is for you. Remember that I am here to facilitate comprehension and help you enhance your communication skills in Spanish; if you need help, please feel free to make an appointment with me. ¿Qué necesitas para la clase? (what do you need in class) Necesitarás un diccionario el cual puedes usar en la casa o en la clase. Tienes que tener un cuaderno o diseñar una carpeta y cualquiera que esto sea será sólo para la clase de español. Tu computadora es esencial para la clase y siempre vas a trabajar en el programa DyKnow. Tienes que tener tus tarjetas del vocabulario contigo El libro detexto Mundo 21. Acerca de tu trabajo (about your work) Por favor lee la sección calificaciones para la clase Habrá un examen o una prueba (a veces más de uno) durante la semana; en caso de no estar en clase necesitarás presentar la actividad la clase próxima.
Algunos tópicos para desarrollar en presentaciones orales o en ensayos escritos: ¿Hay mucho énfasis en las calificaciones en nuestro sistema escolar? Escribe acerca de la influencia que tiene la publicidad en tu vida o en la vida de tu familia o amigos. Crees tú que la violencia en los programas de televisión influencian la violencia en la sociedad. ¿Crees que tienes capacidad de líder? ¿Cuáles son las habilidades que una persona necesita para ser un lider? ¿La obesidad en la sociedad es un problema? ¿Crees que hay problemas de obesidad en la población estudiantil de Moeller? Explica qué razones tiene un estudiante para abandonar sus estudios. ¿Cuál es el invento más importante para ti y por qué? Algunos libros para leer en clase o en casa: Versión de El Lazarillo de Tormes Viva el toro Versión de Aventuras del ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de La Mancha Cuentos (short stories) para leer en la clase o en casa:
Un día de éstos, por Gabriel García Márques El coronel no tiene quien le escriba, por Gabriel García Márquez Emma Zunz, por Jorge Luis Borges Chac Mool, por Carlos Fuentes Grading in the Spanish class Homework, 20 %: All students have this percentage at the start of every quarter and it is up to them to keep it by having their homework ready every time. Every missing assignment represents 2% of the 20 percent. Class Participation, 20 %: You are required to work hard and do your best in class either in an individual task or when working with partners. Communication, 20 %: Spanish is the communicating language in this class and students need to use it at every moment in order to ask and answer questions, and during the developing and acting of stories; students will follow and provide signs and or commands accordingly. Quizzes, 20 %: Quizzes are mostly about reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar and this implies a great effort for reading stories in Spanish not once but at least two times and may be three in case of listening and oral difficulties. Tests, 20 %: Tests are based on the developing and presentation of stories in groups. A student who gains or gets near to this percentage needs to be an active member of his group and be a story teller very frequently. An A student, 100-90 As for class participation and communication, an A student will speak Spanish in class, ask and answer questions in Spanish, always; he also will have outstanding reading comprehension on all the reading assignments and have consistently excellent quiz results. This student rarely uses English for communication purposes in the classroom. Likewise, an A student needs to have his homework ready every time and, finally, as for testing, an A student will be an active participant in his group during the development of stories and be a frequent story teller. Students with B, 89-80 As for class participation and communication, a B student will generally communicate in Spanish during class, ask and answer questions in Spanish as well; a student with a B grade will have consistently good results on quizzes and a good reading comprehension level. This student seldom uses English in class. A student with a B grade will have his homework virtually every time and participate actively in tests during the development and presentation of stories. Students with C, 79-75As for class participation and communication, a C student will ask and answer questions in Spanish very often and in general have appropriate communication skills in Spanish
although he sometimes will use English for communication; a student with a C grade will generally be able to read for comprehension although with some guessing and have fair quiz results. This student might miss several homework assignments. Students with D, 74-70 As for class participation and communication, a D student intends but does not always accomplish asking and answering questions as well as to communicate in Spanish. This student may not put sufficient effort into reading assignments and might miss several homework assignments. Quiz scores for this student will be below average and, finally, in the area of tests, a D student will attempt but not always accomplish an active role during the developing and the acting of stories. Students with F, 69-0 As for class participation and communication, this student relies on English most of the time and has a negative attitude toward the use of Spanish as the only acceptable way of communication in class. This student has the tendency to miss homework frequently, with the result that his quizzes are poorly done. As for tests, this student will be directed by the teacher to work on his own and not in a group where his attitude will be an obstruction for other students in practicing their Spanish. Some Rules for the Spanish class (discipline): 1. Respect the class rules. There are no exceptions for breaking a rule. 2. Respect yourself and others in the classroom. No insults will be tolerated! 3. This class follows Moeller’s Handbook in reference to attendance, tardiness, dress code, academic violation etc. 4. Students should be in their assigned seats at the beginning of the class (you need a note from a teacher or the office in case you are coming late.) Note: the bell sound at the end of class alerts the teacher to dismiss students and I will do this; do not leave until I tell you to. The aisles should remain clear for movement. Put your book bags in a location that will keep the aisles clear. 5. In case you need the bathroom, please come to the classroom first and II will give you permission to go. I have no problem granting permission to the bathroom but I encourage you to stay away from abusive behavior. 6. Students have the right to reach their potential in Spanish; please do not talk out in class. I will address your question after you raise your hand. Note: make sure your cell phone is off during the Spanish class! Failing to do this will result in a mandatory school detention. Consequences for violating the rules:
A. I will talk to you to ensure that you have understood the expectations concerning the class discipline rules. B. I will call your parent and you will also have one hour after school detention with me (be aware that practicing sports at Moeller won’t exempt you from detention); in addition, if you have detention with another teacher, I will need a note from him/her. (Thursday is detention day and you should be in my room 232 at 2:50 p.m.). C. Finally, I will write a misconduct report.