2006-2007
course guide and syllabus
teacher:
Katherine M. Ritzer
course
title: Spanish III
course
description
Spanish III
is a one-year continuation of Spanish II, which extends vocabulary and studies
more complex grammatical patterns. All four areas of the language (reading,
writing, listening, and speaking) will be covered and practiced extensively.
Students should have earned a grade of at least B- in Spanish II, and received a
recommendation from his or her Spanish II teacher to be enrolled in Spanish III
course
content:
The grammar
and vocabulary studied in Spanish III comes from a textbook called Paso a
Paso 3, published by Prentice Hall
and found at the link
http://www.phschool.com/atschool/paso/
classroom
rules:
1. All of the students’ words and actions
should help create an atmosphere where learning Spanish can take place
2. No drinks except water in the classroom
3. No eating or chewing gum once the bell
rings
other
classroom procedures:
hall pass:
Students may
leave the
classroom one at a time, signing out in the back of the room and taking the hall
pass with them
finding out assignments:
Daily classroom activities and assignments
can be found on the class website: www.issaquah.ihs.wednet.edu/teachers/ritzer.
This website is updated daily and is subject to change
what to bring to class:
-1”-2” three ring binder exclusively for Spanish with paper
-A blue or black pen
or a pencil
-A colored pen or
highlighter
-Spanish textbook and
workbook
components
of grade
homework (10%):
Homework will be assigned most every day,
as daily practice is essential to success in this class. Daily homework will be
checked for completion only. Homework that was not completed prior to entering
the classroom on the date due will not be counted for credit. Homework will be
entered once or twice each quarter
oral (40%):
Each student will start with 80 out of 100
participation points. Anytime a student volunteers to speak in class, s/he will
be given a point towards his or her oral grade. The oral grade will be entered
once or twice each quarter (100pts)
At the end of each chapter there will be
some sort of oral test or presentation. These scores are a part of this category
( 50-100pts)
Students are encouraged to speak only in Spanish to Sra. Ritzer. At the
beginning of the second quarter, speaking only in Spanish to Sra. Ritzer will be
a requirement
tests (20%):
Tests are usually between 60 and 80
points. Students will be tested at the end of each chapter. The test format
will include an oral component*, a listening section, short-answer, fill-ins,
reading a selection, answering questions about the reading, and writing a
paragraph or longer response. Tests are always announced beforehand.
*the oral
component of the tests will be counted in the oral category (not the test
category)
quizzes
(15%):
Quizzes are usually between 5 and 25
points. Quizzes are often used as check-ups on vocabulary, grammatical
concepts, and oral comprehension. Quizzes may be announced beforehand or may be
surprises. 20 to 30 minutes of nightly review is highly recommended, not just
for good quiz grades but for better vocabulary acquisition and overall
proficiency in Spanish
semester /
final exam (15%):
At the end of each semester, the students
will take a cumulative exam, usually worth 100 to 150 points. This exam includes
an oral interview with the teacher, a multiple choice section that includes
reading, listening and grammar questions, and a written essay portion
one last
thing…
I am here to help you! If you are having
trouble or just have a simple question be sure to stop in before school or come
a few minutes early to class. You can also reach me via email at
ritzerk@issaquah.wednet.edu
Tentative
syllabus for 2006-2007
Please note that this syllabus is
tentative and will probably change. Sometimes I will introduce a grammatical
concept earlier or later than stated here. Keep yourself updated by visiting the
calendar page of the class website
www.ihs.issaquah.wednet.edu/teachers/ritzer (The calendar on the website is updated
daily)
September
6-15: Welcome to school and review days
present,
present progressive, preterite, imperfect, ir+a+infinitive, tener+que+infinitive,
reflexive verbs, direct object pronouns
September
18-October 6: chapter 1
Affirmative
tú commands, direct and indirect object pronouns, uses of ‘lo’
October
9-27: chapter 2
Imperfect,
past participle
October
30-November 17: chapter 3
Irregular
preterite verbs, imperfect progressive, imperfect progressive and preterite
together
November
20-December 15: chapter 4
Present
perfect, irregular past participles, more irregular preterite verbs
January
2-17: chapter 5
Hace…que,
pluperfect, seguir and present progressive
January 18-26: extra grammar and vocab
Household vocabulario...por vs. para...the conditional
January
29-30: review days
Review for semester exam
January 31-February 2
Semester exams
February
5-16: Spain unit
Review of Ud/s
commands, introduction of subjunctive
February 26-March 16:
chapter 6
Future, more
direct and indirect object pronouns
March
19-April 6: chapter 7
More uses of
subjunctive
April
16-May 4: chapter 8
More uses of
subjunctive, present perfect subjunctive
May
7-25:
chapter 9
Review of
affirmative and negative tú commands, more subjunctive
May 28-June 15:
chapter 10
Past
subjunctive and conditional
June 18-22:
chapters 11&12 grammar and
review for final exams
A typical chapter lasts three school weeks
and may be something like this:
Days 1-4:
introduction of chapter and vocabulary
Day 5:
vocabulary quiz
Days 6-9:
introduction and practice of grammatical concepts
Day 10:
grammar quiz
Days 11 and
12:
review, preparation of oral exam
Days 13-14:
La Catrina, oral exams
Day 15:
chapter test
World Language Policies
The
following policies and guidelines will be followed by all teachers within the
World Languages Department.
Grading Scale:
93-100
A 88-89 B+ 78-79 C+ 68-69 D+
0-62 F
90-92
A- 83-87 B 73-77 C 63-67 D
80-82 B- 70-72 C-
Grades
will be rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, a 92.5 will be
treated as a 93, therefore it would be an A. A grade of 92.4 will be treated as
a 92, therefore it would be an A-.
Tests:
1.
Translators, notes or materials of any kind will not be used for any tests.
2. In
case of an absence, tests will be taken within 5 school days of the student’s
return to school. For example, a test is given on Tuesday and a student is
absent. The student returns Wednesday. S/he has until the following Tuesday to
make up that test.
*Please note: It is the student’s responsibility to make the appointment with
the teacher for making up a test.
In case of a lengthy absence students will need to coordinate with the teacher
to complete test(s) in a timely manner. If the test is not taken within the
allotted time, the student will receive a zero.
3.
Students will be required to take tests the day upon returning from an illness
if advance notice of the test has been given. For example, on Monday the class
is told that there will be a test on Friday. If a student is absent on
Thursday, s/he will still be required to take the test when s/he returns on
Friday.
Homework:
1.
NO late homework will be accepted! If a student chooses to still do
the assignment, it will be corrected for learning purposes, however, no credit
will be given.
2. For
large projects or essays that are turned in late, the student’s grade will go
down 10% for each day it is late. If it is over 5 days late, s/he will
receive a zero.
3. When
a student is absent s/he will have one day for each day missed to make up the
work.
4.
Anyone caught cheating on homework or tests will receive a zero for that work.
The second time, s/he will be given a zero and dropped from the class. Cheating
includes using translators (internet or any other type), copying, and
plagiarism.
Class participation:
Because
speaking and listening are such an important part of the language curriculum,
attendance is very important. Some speaking and listening activities cannot be
made up if a student is absent.
EL
FIN
