Syllabus for Spanish IV 2014-2015 Notre Dame de Sion Instructor: April Schendel Email: aschendel@ndsion.edu Materials: Main Text: Blanco, José A. Descubre: Lengua y cultura del mundo hispánico. Vista Higher Learning. 2008. Student Activities Manual: Blanco, José A. Descubre: Lengua y cultura del mundo hispánico. Vista Higher Learning. 2008. Web Sites: Students will utilize a variety of web sites through out the duration of the school year, including a supplementary Supersite from Vista Higher Learning. A code, required for access, comes with the purchase of a new textbook, or can be purchased separately. Videos: Each chapter is accompanied by a Film Synopsis. Each segment contains a short video from varying Spanish- speaking countries. Objectives: Encourage the use of spoken Spanish, and to develop students ability to function in realistic contexts thanks to aural/ oral activities. Provide a systematic and unified presentation of grammar to students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Enhance reading comprehension skills by introducing new vocabulary in context through up- to- date cultural and literary selections. Further develop writing skills through carefully- guided activities based on each chapter s theme.
Class Policies Expectations: Students will arrive on time, ready to work. No eating, drinking, gum chewing is allowed in class. Students will be in proper uniform, as stated in handbook. What to Bring: Textbook and workbook, Spanish- English dictionary or appropriate device, 3- ring binder, paper (looseleaf recommended), access to Supersite (code provided with textbook), pens and pencils. Late Work: Late homework will not be accepted, however it should be completed for maximum success in the course. If you are absent the day homework is assigned, you have the time designated in the Sion handbook to complete the assignment. After the designated time has passed, the assignment is late and will not be accepted. Missed Tests and Quizzes: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher to make arrangements to make up missed tests and quizzes. A score of 0 (zero) will be given until the test or quiz has been made up. Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a score of 0 (zero) and disciplinary action on the part of the teacher and/or Administration. Acceptable Technology Use: There will be times in class in which you are asked to use your own device for an in- class activity. Your device should only be out at those times, or if you have requested special permission for an acceptable use. a) Electronic Translators: In this day and age, it may be confusing what is appropriate to look up versus what constitutes unacceptable technology use. Looking up single words or short phrases is acceptable. Double- checking a verb form is acceptable. Translating whole sentences, paragraphs, texts is not acceptable. If you are not sure if you are making too much use of your electronic translator, you probably are. If the teacher suspects that you have made too much use of an electronic translator, it will be considered cheating and you will receive a 0 (zero) for the assignment. b) Violations: The teacher reserves the right to limit or terminate your personal technology use in class if you have violated acceptable technology use. Depending on the severity of the case, disciplinary action on the part of the teacher and/or Administration.
Assessment Grading is cumulative. The students progress will be assessed regularly through quizzes, completion of daily homework which will be collected and revised at random, projects, presentations, conversational activities, vocabulary and lesson quizzes, chapter tests, a and final exam at the end of each semester (20 % of semester grade). Grading Policies The following categories will be weighted to arrive at quarter and mid- quarter grades. Homework: 20% Quizzes: 30% Tests: 25% Projects/Compositions: 10% Oral Assessment: 15% Semester grades are calculated per the Sion handbook. Each quarter is weighted at 40% and the final exam at the end of each semester is weighted at 20%. On vocabulary quizzes, credit is taken away for missing or wrong accent mark and/or gender, as well as for spelling errors. Compositions will be graded according to the criteria of the College Board Spanish Language and Culture while keeping in mind the abilities of a fourth year Spanish student. As stated in the planner, a student who has been absent has two days to make up her work for every missed day. Scope and sequence This is a tentative schedule. Ideally we will spend about 3 weeks on each chapter, followed by a chapter exam. Pop quizzes can be given at any time during class, so students are strongly encouraged to practice regular and consistent study habits. Weeks 1-3: Lección 1: Las relaciones personales.
- The present tense (regular, irregular and stem- changing verts) - Ser and estar - Progressive forms Weeks 4-6: Lección 2: Las diversiones. - Object Pronouns - Gustar and similar verbs - Reflexive verbs Weeks 7-9: Lección 3: La vida diaria. - The preterite - The imperfect - The preterite vs. the imperfect Weeks 10-12: Lección 4: La salud y el bienestar. - The subjunctive in noun clauses - Commands - Por and para Weeks 13-15: Lección 5: Los viajes. - Comparatives and superlatives - The subjunctive in adjective clauses - Negative and positive espressions Weeks 16-18: Lección 6: La naturaleza. - The future - The subjunctive in adverbial clauses
- Prepositions: a, hacia, and con Weeks 19-21: Lección 7: La tecnología y la ciencia. - The present perfect - The past perfect - Diminutives and augmentatives Weeks 22-24: Lección 8: La economía y el trabajo. - The conditional - The past subjunctive - SI clauses with simple tenses Weeks 25-27: Lección 9: La cultura popular y los medios de comunicación - The present perfect subjunctive - Relative pronouns - The neuter lo Weeks 28-30: Lección 10: La literatura y el arte - The future perfect - The conditional perfect - Past perfect subjunctive Weeks 30-34: Final Exam Review and Practice.