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Classroom News El Noticiero
course syllabus and hints for success in Spanish I

To: Students of Spanish I and their parents

From:  Señora Lotterman

Re: Hints for Success in Spanish I

 

I GOALS

     Our main goal is to learn to communicate in Spanish well enough to survive in a Spanish-speaking country and to be able to carry on simple conversations about daily life.  Students will practice and I will assess the students’ skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing Spanish.

 

A. LISTENING

     When children learn a language, the first thing they learn is to comprehend the spoken language.  During the toddler years, children can comprehend a lot of language they cannot themselves produce.  The same process is true when adults learn a second language.  Therefore you will spend a great deal of time listening to your teacher speak Spanish and we will also listen to a lot of recordings of native speakers speaking Spanish.   Do not try to understand every word.  Use the context to help you guess the main meaning.  If you listen attentively, you will find that after a period of time, you can say many of the things your teacher says yourself.

 

B. SPEAKING

     We will spend time learning how to pronounce Spanish correctly.  You will also practice having conversations with your classmates and your teacher.  I give oral participation grades every day to monitor your contributions in Spanish.  Because I want students to practice speaking in Spanish as much as possible students are expected to speak only Spanish when I am speaking Spanish.   If you have a question you can’t ask in Spanish, jot it down on the margin of your notebook so you can ask it when English is permitted.

  

C. READING

     Because oral language is primary, we will spend most of 1st semester listening to and speaking Spanish in class.  During second semester, students will begin to do some reading comprehension exercises.  Our goal is that students can comprehend signs, ads, instructions, announcements, simple letters, and simple articles about people.

 

D. WRITING

     Because oral language is primary, we will not work on the writing skill much until 2nd semester.  Then students will begin to write simple letters and paragraphs about themselves and their experiences.  We will use a writing process approach, so they will have plenty of opportunity to talk about and get feedback on their writing.

 

 

E. CULTURE

     Students will learn some on the basic geography of the Spanish-speaking countries.  We will also talk some about the daily life and customs of the Spanish-speaking peoples.  In Spanish 1 we emphasize the holidays and how they are celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries.

 

F. LANGUAGE

     When students learn how to communicate in a second language they begin to understand a lot about how humans communicate using language.  They will see examples of formal vs. informal language, written vs. oral language, language universal vs. language specific rules, rules about sound systems, and grammar rules about how sentences are put together.  Students should have a much better idea of how languages work by the end of the year.

 

II.  CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

 

A. GRADING SCALE

93-100=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B, 80-82=B-,

77-79=C+, 73-76=C, 70-72=C-, 67-69=D+, 63-66=D,

60-61=D-, 0-59=F

 

The calculation of quarter grades varies a bit from quarter to quarter, depending on the type and number of assignments given during the quarter.  But the breakdown of weights is generally as follows:

class participation=20%

listening comprehension=20%

compositions or special projects =10-20%

reading comprehension=10%

daily work = 20-30%

tests=20-30%

 

The semester grade is calculated as follows:

1st quarter=40%

2nd quarter=40%

semester exam=20%

 

B. HOMEWORK POLICIES

     Students are expected to keep track of the assignments for this class in their daily planner.   I will not make lists of missing work for students. 

     Students are expected to hand in assignments when they are called for.  I will not accept late homework unless it was completed in my room before or after school.   I need to initial it before you put it into the makeup folder. Any assignment, quiz, test, or class activity can be redone if the student did not do well on it.  All redos must be done in Room 227 before or after school.  I am in my room from 7:00 to 4:00 every day unless I have made an announcement to the contrary.  You do not need to make an appointment to see me, just come to my room.  If my door is open but I am not there it just means that I have run an errand and will be back shortly.  Just sit down and begin working on something.

     You can find a list of current assignments on my class website.  You can reach it by accessing the MVHS home page, going to the staff directory and clicking on my name and then on the link to your class.

 

C. GRADE UPDATES

     I will not be handing out printed progress reports this semester unless it is impossible for you to have access to the Internet.   If you would like a weekly progress report, you should sign up to get the email reports. I am also participating in the Parent Connect program so that is another way you could check on your progress.

  

D. TARDY POLICY

          Tardy means you are not in the room when the bell rings.  If you come in tardy and have a pass, put the pass on my desk and take your seat quietly.  If you do not have a pass or your pass says unexcused, you will serve a detention.  A detention means coming to my room for 15 minutes before or after school.  If the detention is not served in 24 hours it becomes a half hour.  If the detention is not served in 48 hours, it becomes an hour.  It not served within 72 hours, I notify the attendance office of the situation.

 

E.  HOW TO REACH ME

ROOM 227  My hours are from 7:00 to 4:00 every day.

PHONE EXTENSION 4157 (A good time to call is from 2:00-4:00)

EMAIL   Betty.Lotterman@moundsviewschools.org

A list of current homework assignments can be found at the class website.  You can access the web site by going to the MVHS site, select the staff directory, click on my name and then on your class.

 

E MATERIALS

Bring the following to class everyday:

          -your  workbook

          -your CARPETA (a three-ring notebook) with 5 dividers and a lot of loose-leaf

              paper.

            - your textbook

           

G.  PASSES TO LEAVE THE ROOM

Don’t ask to go to your locker because I NEVER permit students to go to their locker.  If you need to go to the restroom, fill out your daily planner and show it to me.  I will initial it.   Anyone who goes to the restroom during class time will need to stay after for three minutes to make up for the lost class time.

 

H.  RULES FOR SPANISH CLASS

  • Leave all electronic equipment in your backpack during class time.  Taking it out of your bag means it might be confiscated.
  • Do not talk when I am talking or when other students have been given permission to talk.
  • No food or drink except water.
  • Do not throw anything at any time.
  • Keep all body parts in your own space
  • Hand in or exchange your homework when asked to do so.

III.  HINTS FOR SUCCESS IN LEARNING SPANISH.

 

1.  LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN

Listen to EVERYTHING your teacher says, whether you think it is important or not.  You brain will be automatically picking up information about the Spanish language and storing it in the proper place.    In the beginning you may not understand everything she says, but listen attentively anyway.  Listen for the main idea, even if you do not understand every word.  Have a detective mind set.  What clues are available for me to use to help me figure out the meaning—facial expression, context, gestures, etc.?  As you begin to be comfortable with figuring out the meaning, start paying attention to HOW your teacher says things.  What word order does she use?  What endings does she put on words and in what circumstances?  See how much of the grammar of the Spanish language you can figure out for yourself.  I have never had a student who listened attentively who was not successful in class.

 

2.     SING, SING, SING

Be sure to sing along when we start each class.  Research has shown that singing is the best way to improve your pronunciation in Spanish.

 

3.     READ, READ, READ

I have both books and magazines in my room that are at your reading level that you can check out.  Magazines in Spanish are also available in many stores.  While you may not be able to understand everything, reading is the best way to expand your vocabulary.

 

4.     SPEAK, SPEAK, SPEAK

If you know people who speak Spanish you can practice with them.  Or talk to your friends who are studying Spanish in Spanish.  Some students like to do this on the telephone.  Some kids also like to study with other kids.  My room is open before or after school as a place to do this.

 

5.     REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW

Make it a practice to review ALL the vocabulary and grammar in your three-ring binder once a week.  That way you will always understand what’s going on in Spanish class.  Everyday review the vocabulary we learned the day before so you will understand what your teacher says the next day. 

 

6.     PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Many students find it helpful to use the computer to help them practice.  I have a CD-ROM  you can check out to use at home.  There are also links from my website to other sites you can use to practice your Spanish.

 

7.     GUESS, GUESS, GUESS

It will be a long time before you know all the words in the Spanish language.  In the meantime, guess at the meaning of as many words as you can.  Use similar words in English, similar words in Spanish, and the context to help you make intelligent guesses. 

 

8.     WATCH TV

Univision is a cable station that broadcast in Spanish 24/7.  Check your local listing to find the channel.  Remember that you will not be able to understand everything, but see if you can pick out some words and the main ideas.  Use the pictures to help you. 

 

9.  LISTEN TO THE RADIO

The following stations broadcast programs in Spanish in the Twin Cities

Brisas Latinas, 88.5 FM, 1-5 p.m. on Sundays

Sábados Alegres, 90.3 FM and 106.7 FM, 11 am-1 pm on Saturdays

Radio Pantera, 1570 AM 2pm – 9 pm everyday

 

10.     EXPLORE THE CULTURE

Research has shown that people who have a positive attitude to the culture will learn the language more quickly.  So listen to Latin music, go out to eat at Latin restaurants, and attend as many of the shows and movies that have to do with Latin culture as you can.

 

11.  ATTEND SPANISH CLUB

This will help you get to know other kids who are interested in learning Spanish and will help you to have a positive experience in Spanish class.

 

12.  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN SPANISH.      

Each summer the district offers a summer school program in Mexico.  Contact Betty Lotterman at Betty.Lotterman@moundsviewschools.org for more information. 

Concordia Language Villages also offers weekend camps during the school year and two-week or four-week sessions during the summer.  Contact your Spanish teacher for more information. 

Take the National Spanish Exam and participate in State Spanish Contest. 

Make it a goal to qualify for the Spanish National Honors Society. 

 


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