Course Objectives
For those students beginning Spanish 1, this course will serve as a dynamic introduction to the Spanish language and the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.  For those students completing Spanish 2, 3, or 4, it will continue their introduction and deepen their knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic cultures. 

All students in this course will:

• Develop comprehension of oral and written Spanish at a beginning, intermediate or advanced level appropriate for their course level
• Learn to communicate information, opinions and ideas to others with clarity and confidence
• Comprehend, translate and produce beginning, intermediate or advanced level text according to course level
• Achieve an understanding of Spanish grammar appropriate for their course level

Course Philosophy and Expectations
Because we will have students of various levels working simultaneously in the same classroom, it is very important that we create an atmosphere of acceptance and support within our Spanish class. All students are expected to approach learning Spanish with an open mind and to respectfully support the attempts of their classmates in their learning.  Each week we will be rotating through various group and individual activities in order to balance everyone´s needs and make sure that every student feels challenged and experiences growth no matter what their level of Spanish upon beginning the course. During the first week we will look at how we can create an atmosphere where this is possible and what our individual responsibilities will be for a successful semester together.

Methods and Materials
We will be using a wide variety of methods in class this semester. These include but are not limited to:

• TPR (Total Physical Response)
• TPRS (Total Physical Response Storytelling)
• Study and translation of various works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry in Spanish for advanced students.
• Songs in Spanish as well as classical pieces by Hispanic composers
• Projects
• Good old-fashioned grammar lessons J

Books and materials include but are not limited to:

• Cuéntame and Cuéntame más by Carol Gaab and Kristy Placido
• Mi propio auto from Blaine Ray Workshops
• Óyeme con los ojos by Gloria Cecilia Díaz
• La ciudad de las bestias by Isabel Allende
• Sing-N-Speak Spanish workbooks by Julia Burnier
• 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris
• Other text and reference books as needed

Materials needed by Wednesday, September 27, 2008

• One 3-ring binder of at least 1.5 inches  and access to a Spanish/English dictionary at home.

Assessment
We will use the following guidelines in evaluating the quality of work completed for this course:

• Exceeds Standards:  Outstanding knowledge and completion of class content (90%-100%); all assignments completed on time; professionalism, effort and application above and beyond course requirements reflected in class participation and work.
• Meets Standards:  Good knowledge and completion of in-class content (80%-89%); professionalism, effort and application at course requirements reflected in class participation and work.
• Needs Improvement:  Below average knowledge and completion of class content (70%-79%); assignments missing; or class participation and/or class work below average.
• Below Standards:  Little or no effort to do class assignments and little or no class participation (69% or below).

Grades will be calculated according to the following percentages:

Class binder/50% of final grade:
Each student will complete a weekly set of assignments from their binder due at the beginning of class each Friday. The content for this binder will be given upon course level assignment the first week of the semester. Work time will be planned into our week and anything not finished in class becomes homework. Each Friday I will check for completion of the week´s assignments and assign a grade for the week.  Returned quizzes and exams will also be kept in the binder as will all project work. This binder must be brought to every class and will receive a final grade for completion, neatness and effort at the end of the semester. 

Quizzes and exams/30% of final grade:
Quizzes and exams will be either oral or written as the content requires. Quizzes will usually occur every Friday and exams every 3-4 weeks with a comprehensive final. 

Projects/ 20% of final grade:
Students will complete one major group project as well as several mini-projects during the semester (see class calendar for description).

Late work
Because students will know all of their assignments ahead of time, no late credit will be given for work turned in after its Friday deadline. In the event of an excused absence falling on Friday, I will check completed assignments upon the student´s return as if it were Friday. Quizzes and exams must be made up by appointment at lunch.

Office Hours and tutoring
My office is located upstairs in the senior commons. I am available during lunch by appointment for extra help or to make up tests. Feel free to contact me any time at kgullans@hightechhigh.org  to tell me about any concerns you have or to set up an appointment.

Academic Integrity
Because it tells me nothing about what you have learned and can produce on your own, absolutely no work done using an online translator will be given credit.