Akron Westfield High School 2017- 2018
Spanish Course Syllabus
Teacher: Mrs. Gina Vreeman
Phone: (712) 568-2020 Room 234
This course is designed for students to learn Spanish in a fun, nonthreatening environment. Students will be stimulated to work together towards language proficiency in a cooperative atmosphere. The four language skills will be integrated in the presentation of new material and reinforcement of previously learned material. The study of a world language easily lends itself to the appreciation of intercultural awareness and internationalism by its very nature. Connections and comparisons will be made throughout the year to the cultures where Spanish is the official language. This will be done through a variety of media such as news articles, pictures, discussions, magazines and other sources.
Spanish Course Syllabus
Teacher: Mrs. Gina Vreeman
Phone: (712) 568-2020 Room 234
This course is designed for students to learn Spanish in a fun, nonthreatening environment. Students will be stimulated to work together towards language proficiency in a cooperative atmosphere. The four language skills will be integrated in the presentation of new material and reinforcement of previously learned material. The study of a world language easily lends itself to the appreciation of intercultural awareness and internationalism by its very nature. Connections and comparisons will be made throughout the year to the cultures where Spanish is the official language. This will be done through a variety of media such as news articles, pictures, discussions, magazines and other sources.
Course Objectives
The course objective is to become proficient in the four skills of learning the language through the presentation of thematic units. Relevant cultural topics will be interspersed throughout the course to gain an understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic world. The materials and objectives used are aligned to the Iowa Languages Learners standards, and the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning.
The course objective is to become proficient in the four skills of learning the language through the presentation of thematic units. Relevant cultural topics will be interspersed throughout the course to gain an understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic world. The materials and objectives used are aligned to the Iowa Languages Learners standards, and the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning.
What you should bring to class (Required Texts and Other Supplies)
- Realidades Textbook
- Notebook
- Folder
- Writing utensils
- Personal Flash Drive (to store our data & projects)
- One box of tissue paper Ground Rules
When you are in this classroom, you are to be:
1) Respectful
2) Responsible
3) Safe
During the first week of the course, students and I will discuss what being a respectful, responsible and safe student means.
1) Respectful
2) Responsible
3) Safe
During the first week of the course, students and I will discuss what being a respectful, responsible and safe student means.
Expectations: The expectations for this class fall into any one of the three ground rules stated above. FOUR expectations in this classroom are:
1.) Come to class on time, prepared with your materials and ready to learn.
2.) Practice Spanish skills AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! (this component is critical to the success of language learners!)
3.) Treat yourself, your classmates, teachers and other staff with both kindness and respect.
4.) Have a positive attitude!
1.) Come to class on time, prepared with your materials and ready to learn.
2.) Practice Spanish skills AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! (this component is critical to the success of language learners!)
3.) Treat yourself, your classmates, teachers and other staff with both kindness and respect.
4.) Have a positive attitude!
Evaluation : Students will be evaluated in five main areas:
Homework (25%) will be given daily in this course. Each night might be something different; all ways to help students practice their language skills and review the material from the days work. Late homework will be accepted up to one week, but with a penalty of 1 point off automatically for each day late. If the homework is handed in a week late, it will NOT be accepted. HOMEWORK FROM UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, AND NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get the work and speak to Mrs.Vreeman
Tests/quizzes/projects (25%) There will be a test given at the end of every unit, and quizzes will happen about once a week. Projects will be assigned throughout the year on a variety of cultural topics. If a student is absent the day of a test, they must arrange a time to take the test and it is their responsibility to talk to Mrs. Vreeman about rescheduling a test date. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY! IF THE STUDENT CHEATS, THERE WILL BE NO CREDIT GIVEN. Parents will be informed.
Participation (20%) is critical to success in Spanish I. Students will be evaluated daily on their participation. Participation includes attendance, class contributions, and class readiness. Not all participation needs to be oral, but students should aim to contribute at least three times a day to our conversation.
Classwork (20%) can include individual or group work. Rubrics will be provided for group and individual work to show what is expected for each assignment.
Dialogue Journals (10%) are a way for students to practice their writing skills. Sometimes we will use the dialogue journals in our warm‐ups, other times, it will be homework or a classroom activity. Some days, we will not use the dialogue journals. This is a great way for me to get to know students and vice versa. In addition, students will explore their opinions, ideas and feelings through writing on a variety of topics.
Homework (25%) will be given daily in this course. Each night might be something different; all ways to help students practice their language skills and review the material from the days work. Late homework will be accepted up to one week, but with a penalty of 1 point off automatically for each day late. If the homework is handed in a week late, it will NOT be accepted. HOMEWORK FROM UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, AND NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get the work and speak to Mrs.Vreeman
Tests/quizzes/projects (25%) There will be a test given at the end of every unit, and quizzes will happen about once a week. Projects will be assigned throughout the year on a variety of cultural topics. If a student is absent the day of a test, they must arrange a time to take the test and it is their responsibility to talk to Mrs. Vreeman about rescheduling a test date. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY! IF THE STUDENT CHEATS, THERE WILL BE NO CREDIT GIVEN. Parents will be informed.
Participation (20%) is critical to success in Spanish I. Students will be evaluated daily on their participation. Participation includes attendance, class contributions, and class readiness. Not all participation needs to be oral, but students should aim to contribute at least three times a day to our conversation.
Classwork (20%) can include individual or group work. Rubrics will be provided for group and individual work to show what is expected for each assignment.
Dialogue Journals (10%) are a way for students to practice their writing skills. Sometimes we will use the dialogue journals in our warm‐ups, other times, it will be homework or a classroom activity. Some days, we will not use the dialogue journals. This is a great way for me to get to know students and vice versa. In addition, students will explore their opinions, ideas and feelings through writing on a variety of topics.
Grading Policies & Scale:
100% - 93% A 4.00 86% - 83% B 3.00 76% - 73% C 2.00 66% - 63% D 1.00
92% - 90% A- 3.67 82% - 80% B- 2.67 72% - 70% C- 1.67 62% - 60% D- 0.67
89% - 87% B+ 3.33 79% - 77% C+ 2.33 69% - 67% D+ 1.33 59% or less F 0.00
100% - 93% A 4.00 86% - 83% B 3.00 76% - 73% C 2.00 66% - 63% D 1.00
92% - 90% A- 3.67 82% - 80% B- 2.67 72% - 70% C- 1.67 62% - 60% D- 0.67
89% - 87% B+ 3.33 79% - 77% C+ 2.33 69% - 67% D+ 1.33 59% or less F 0.00
Communication: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by:
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: (712) 568-2020 Ext. 233
Website: I will be using my website to maintain a current list of all assignments and classroom projects. I will also post digital resources on my website.
Academic Support
I provide extra help for students that have any questions about assignments or lessons after school beginning at 3:15 p.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m.
Extra credit will only be aloud to the students that present to the class a lesson they have learned in my Spanish class.
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: (712) 568-2020 Ext. 233
Website: I will be using my website to maintain a current list of all assignments and classroom projects. I will also post digital resources on my website.
Academic Support
I provide extra help for students that have any questions about assignments or lessons after school beginning at 3:15 p.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m.
Extra credit will only be aloud to the students that present to the class a lesson they have learned in my Spanish class.