Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions
LOTE Department
Laurie León
[email protected]
Room 308 / Conference period: B1
Tutorials: Wednesdays from 3:35 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Spanish 1 Syllabus - Fall Semester 2015
Edmodo Class Codes per period (use only your class code):
A2 period: acm6he
A3 period: f85fen
B2 period: 27srx6
B3 period: vxy2vc
B4 period: x2p9y3
Course Description
This course is the starting point of the process of acquisition of Spanish as a foreign language and gives students the required
foundation to move on to level 2 on next school year. In Spanish 1, students will develop skills in the target language such as
listening, speaking, reading and writing and sub skills such as phonetics, pronunciation and intonation.
Organization
This is a course in which different approaches are used. The resources are varied and technology is incorporated. Among
others, music, art, videos, the web, aural materials, hands-on activities, written texts and authentic materials are included in the
lessons. The language will be practiced and promoted through a variety of oral and written activities and students will be
encouraged to respond in the target language. Reading skills will be enhanced by using short stories and authentic materials.
The students will be exposed to many different styles of speaking in order to facilitate their oral discrimination and to improve
their ability to pick up relevant facts and ideas presented orally.
The students are quizzed after each grammar and vocabulary topic is covered and a test is given after each unit is finished.
Students are expected to do homework when assigned. Projects are also announced in advanced so that students have enough
time to prepare them; there are usually oral projects that are carefully graded.
Course objectives
The objectives of the class are based on the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. Mainly the students are
introduced, oriented and provided with tools that will make the learning of the target language an interesting experience.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To communicate in a language other than English.
To gain understanding and knowledge of other cultures.
To connect with other disciplines and acquire information.
To develop insight into the nature of language and culture.
To participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
Fall semester tentative course outline.
Cycle 1 - Unit 1 -Basic Communicative Tasks and Skills: Student engages in Spanish in daily exchanges
such as introductions, class routines, as well as asks and answer questions in the school environment.
Cycle 2 - Unit 2- Describing People and Places: Student describes people and places, use negative
sentences, expressing likes and dislikes, and conjugates verbs in the present tense.
Cycle 3 - Unit 3- School Life: talk about school subjects, school schedules, daily classroom routines and
school supplies.
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Resources
Realidades Level 1 (textbook, workbook, and accompanying audio and video resources).
Supply list
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
One Binder (1 ½ inches)
5 tab dividers
Loose Leaf paper
Pencils (regular or mechanical). Pens are not allowed.
Leads (if using mechanical pencil).
Closed personal sharpener (if using a regular pencil)
Eraser
English-Spanish Dictionary (to keep at home)
Items needed in every class
 Spanish Binder
 Pencils (all assignments must be completed with pencil).
 Workbook.
 Textbook
Spanish Binder organization:
Tab 1: Syllabus / Classroom rules / Participation Rubric
Tab 2: Class work, worksheets and handouts.
Tab 3: Realidades 1 Guided Practice Packets
Tab 4: Realidades 1 Homework packets
Tab 5: Assessments (quizzes/tests/project evaluations).
Grading Plan
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Evaluation will be conducted using different methods and techniques that will reveal students’ strengths and weaknesses.
Some of them will include multiple choice quizzes and tests, written essays, sentence completion essays, oral presentations,
projects, final exams, etc. The percentages are as follows:




Class participation (written, auditory, reading and oral activities) * 25 %
Quizzes / Minor Projects 25 %
Homework
10 %
Major Tests / Major Projects 40 %
____________________
100%
*Class Participation will be graded based on the Class Participation Rubric (provided separately to students and available at
Ms. Leon’ class at DeBakey HSHP web page).
NOTE FOR PARENTS: If there is any condition temporary or permanent that interferes with your child’s learning, please
make sure to notify me as soon as possible in writing at [email protected]
Monitor your child’s grades weekly through Gradespeed, and make sure to communicate any concerns promptly via email to
[email protected] or in person by scheduling a conference with me (period B1). Please do not send me messages via
Gradespeed, use my email address instead.
Re-Take Policy
• If a student receives a failing grade on a major test, he/she may request a re-take of that test. Re-take policy is for major tests
only; it does not include quizzes or projects.
• Re-takes are NOT allowed on common assessments or final exams.
• The re-take grade will be the average of the two scores, the original and the re-take, unless the average is higher than a 70. If
the average is higher than a 70, the grade defaults to a 70. The highest grade a student can receive on the retake test is a 70%.
• The re-take must be completed within 2-5 school days after receiving the first graded test.
• Re-take opportunities must be scheduled outside the regular class time. Before school, during lunch, and after school
(Monday-Thursday) are options.
Make-Up Policy:
Student is expected to turn in every assignment (class work, homework, special assignments, and projects) on the due date
unless he/she has been absent (excused absences only). A missed assignment must be turned in within three school days
counted from the day the student has returned to school. After five school days, the student will receive a zero for each missed
assignment. Student is responsible to find out what assignments/assessments he/she has missed during his absence by
contacting the teacher by email [email protected]; checking the Edmodo class page; or talking to the teacher during
Study Hall or tutorial time.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned everyday (with very few exceptions during the year), and it will be graded based on completion,
not perfection. That is, if the student completes 100 % of the homework, he/she will receive a grade of 100 whether he/she has
made mistakes or not. If the student fails to complete 100 % of the homework he/she will receive a zero. No exceptions!
Each homework’s grade is posted individually in Gradespeed; and these individual grades will average at the end of each cycle.
Copying homework from another student constitutes cheating and it will have consequences according to the DeBakey HSHP
Student Code of Conduct.
Student is responsible to find out what homework he/she needs to make-up by checking the Edmodo class page. If the student
is unable to access the webpage or if he/she has questions about the homework instructions, he/she can email the teacher at
[email protected] or talk to the teacher in person. Answers to the homework will be given at the beginning of each
class; students will get a chance to ask questions, and correct his/her own mistakes. Turning in homework late is NOT
allowed unless it is due to an excused absence.
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CLASSROOM RULES
SPANISH CLASS
MS. LEÓN
1.
Be on time.
2.
Be prepared.
3.
Follow instructions at once.
4.
Ask for help if you are having difficulties.
5.
Keep your area clean. Refrain from bringing food or drinks to class.
6.
Be respectful.
7.
Be honest.
8.
Take care of your restroom /water needs during passing time. Restroom /water passes will be given on emergency
basis only. Any medical condition that causes a student to go to the restroom frequently should be reported the school
nurse who will issue a special note to the teachers.
6.
Study Spanish every day for at least 10 minutes.
7.
Refrain from using electronic devices (cell phones, cameras, CD players, mp3 players, tablets, etc.) unless your teacher
allows it. Unauthorized electronic devices will be taken up and turned in to the administration according to the
DHSHP policy.
8.
Always follow the DeBakey HSHP Student Code of Conduct.
By signing this paper, you are indicating that you have read and understood Ms. Leon Spanish class syllabus, rules and
grading plan. In the event of any change to Ms. Leon’s syllabus, grading plan or classroom rules; students and
parents/guardians will be notified in writing by the teacher.
____________________________________
Student printed name
______________________________
Student signature
_____________________
Date
____________________________________
Parent or Guardian printed name
_____________________________
Parent or Guardian signature
_____________________
Date
This paper should be signed and returned to Ms. Leon by :___________________
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