Spanish 3 and AP Spanish 4/5

2006-2007 course guide and syllabus
teacher:  Katherine M. Ritzer
course title:  AP Spanish IV

course description:
AP Spanish IV is a one-year course that continues the development of the four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). There will be an emphasis on speaking and listening activities, along with grammatical review and training and practice in taking the AP Spanish Language test

 course content:
The class will be using a textbook called Conexiones (published by Prentice Hall).  This textbook is divided into twelve chapters.  Each chapter is based on a theme. Each chapter focuses on certain communication goals, grammatical structures, and cultural studies.  Four to six chapters will be covered each semester. 

 Along with the textbook, the students will purchase a grammar workbook (Repaso) which will be used to more thoroughly review grammatical structures and concepts.  The students will also spend some time each day doing exercises to practice for the Advanced Placement exam 

 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%):
Much of our time in class will be devoted to speaking activities and I will speak only in Spanish during class. 

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 may speak only in Spanish during the class period. If a student chooses to use English during the class period, a point will be deducted from his or her participation grade each time English is spoken. If you need to speak to me in English, make sure you come to class a few minutes early. Once the bell rings beginning the period, only Spanish is acceptable. This includes conversations with classmates! Before school and before and after class are the only times when English may be used

tests (20%):
Tests are usually between 60 and 80 points.  Students will be tested at the end of each chapter.  The test format will vary, but will usually include an oral component*, a listening section, and sections on vocabulary and grammar. 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 and final exams (15%):
At the end of the first semester, the students will take a cumulative exam, worth about 100 to 150 points. The final exam in June will not be a standard test; instead a final project will be completed

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. Keep yourself updated by visiting the calendar page of the class website www.ihs.issaquah.wednet.edu/teachers/ritzer   This website is updated daily

september 6-15: welcome to school and review days
overview/review of verb tenses, finish La Catrina: el último secreto, speaking, reading and music activities

september 18-29: chapter 1 Conexiones (chapters 4, 5 Repaso)
preterite versus imperfect

october 2-19: ch.2 Con (ch.2, 3, 11 R)
ser, estar, haber, future tense, present tense irregulars, present subjunctive

october 23-november 3 ch.3 Con (ch.1, 19 R)
present indicative and subjunctive, pronouns, the personal a, gustar and similar verbs

november 6-28 ch.4 Con (ch.7, 8, 17 R)
reflexives, adjectives, past participles, perfect tenses

november 29-december 15 ch.5 Con (ch.13 R)
subjunctive versus indicative, more perfect tenses, comparisons and superlatives

january 2-12 ch.6 Con (ch.13, 14 R)
subjunctive versus indicative, commands

january 16-19 Review for semester exam, more AP practice

january 22-26 Semester exams

january 29-february 21 ch.7 Con (ch.16, 22 R)
preterite versus imperfect, time expressions, por and para, prepositions, nouns and articles

february 22-march 13 ch.8 Con (ch.6, 12 R)
past subjunctive, conditional, future, conditional perfect, si-clauses (indicative and subjunctive)

march 14-28 ch.9 Con (ch.18, 24 R)
pluperfect subjunctive, se, indefinite and negative expressions, demonstratives, possessives

march 29-april 20 ch.10 Con (ch.20, 21 R)
indirect speech, relative pronouns, adverbs

april 16-27 (wasl testing weeks) optional morning extended AP test practice

april 23-may 7 ch.11 Con (ch.10,15 R)
sequence of tenses (subj.), definite and indefinite article, gerund and inifinitve

tuesday may 8, 8:00am 2007 spanish language AP exam

may 14-june 1 read novel Como agua para chocolate (Laura Esquivel)

june 4-13 work on final projects

june 14-19 present final projects

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