Foreign Languages Department

Mr.Benomar’s Classroom Policies and Procedures

Email: benomary@chowchillahigh.org

Website: tinyurl.com/pnthhmc

Office Hours: Need extra help? Make an appointment.

Course Description:

The AP*Spanish Language & Culture course is designed to help students demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish. The course focuses on the three modes of communication interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Using authentic materials and a thematic approach, students will engage in a rich and rigorous course to practice and improve their communication abilities varying from Intermediate to

Pre-Advanced skill levels. Products, practices and perspectives of the Hispanic cultures will guide the thematic studies and discussions. The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish focusing on a holistic approach to achieve accuracy and fluency in Spanish.

Course Themes:

*Los Desafíos Mundiales (Global Challenges)

*La Ciencia y la Tecnología (Science and Technology)

*La Vida Contemporánea (Contemporary Life)

*Las Identidades Personales y Públicas (Personal & Public Identities)

*Las Familias y las Comunidades (Families and Communities)

*La Belleza y la Estética (Beauty and Aesthetics)

Course Outcomes:

• Understand the spoken target language in both formal and informal context using authentic materials that employ regional dialects, conversations, oral presentations, and lectures.
• Comprehend selected literary works, articles and advertisements using books, anthologies, current media, and the Internet as resources through the study of vocabulary, synthesis strategies, the use of context clues and other reading strategies.
• Speak with near fluency during interpersonal and presentational communications within the classroom and in the real world.
• Employ synthesis strategies and other writing methods to accurately write essays, letters, e-mails and other writing exercises in the target language.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural practices, products and perspectives of the Spanish speaking cultures within all three modes of communication by responding in culturally appropriate ways and comparing cultural differences with one’s own culture.

Textbooks:

• Temas, AP* Spanish Language and Culture, Parthena Draggett, Cole Conlin, Max Ehrsam, Elizabeth Millán, Vista Higher Learning, 2014.
• AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Preparation, Jorge Frisancho, María T. Redmon, Marta Lucía Restrepo Bravo, Vista Higher Learning, 2014.
• Triangulo Aprobado, John McMullan and Babara Gatski. Wayside Publishing 2013.

Materials Lined paper

Required: Three-ring binder with dividers or a note book

Pens #2 pencils and Highlighter (s)

Grading Policy:

Each thematic unit will have a variety of projects and activities as well as an exam. There will be six units total which translates to six exams culminating with the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam in May.

It should be noted that you earn your grade. I do not round up grades. If you want an “A” you must earn a 90%.

Your grade will be based on your performance in the following categories:

Homework/Class work: 25%

Tests, quizzes, finals: 50%

Participation: 25%

Assignments, _ Activities or Projects:

The activities will include the three modes of communication: interpretive (interpret what one hears or reads without interacting with the writer or speaker), interpersonal (participants interact with one another to exchange opinions and/or point of view), and presentational (refers to the creation of an oral or written message without the opportunity to clarify).

Typical Routine:

1. A warm up or graded mini-quiz will be given at the beginning of the period, so students are expected to get to work as soon as the bell rings to begin class.
2. New concepts will be introduced through student-centered activities, discussions, and lectures.
3. Completing the daily assignments is critical to success in this class!
4. Periodically, projects will be assigned to help summarize learning.
5. The class period ends with an exit slip.

Attendance Policy:

If you are absent YOU are responsible for securing any missed work. Come talk to me as soon as possible please. You will have two school days per absence to complete and turn in any missed assignments.

Late work will not be accepted! Also, if the bell rings before you enter the classroom you are considered Tardy and must go to the front office. Every two tardies lead to a guided study.

RESPECT: Your teacher will show you respect, and he will help you learn Spanish. However, if your behavior is unsafe, or prevents other students from learning, you will be asked to change that behavior. If the teacher feels that you are still behaving disrespectfully, then the following steps will be implemented:

Step 1: Teacher has a private discussion with the student, and clarifies exactly what behavior(s) is/are unsafe or disrespectful. Explicit instructions will be given as to how the student should modify their behavior in order to avoid step 2.

Step 2: If problem behavior continues, contact will be made with the student’s parent or guardian, and a timeline to clear the infraction will be agreed to. If the behavior is unsafe, or disrupts the learning environment, guided study may be assigned.

Step 3: Referral will be made to the Learning Guidance Facilitator, and all parties (teacher, parent/guardian, and student) will agree upon a performance contract. Failure to live up to the contract will result in additional detentions and/or suspension from class.

Procedures Important to this class:

• Cell phone/Music device policy:

1. Students will only use appropriate educational applications on their device as determined by the teacher.

2. Students are not to call, text message, email, post to social networks, or electronically communicate with others from their personal device, including other students, parents, guardians, friends, and family unless it is part of classroom instruction.

3. No one is allowed to record or take pictures of anyone without their consent.

• Stay in your assigned seat at all times, unless I specifically state that an activity requires moving from your seat. You will have various groups and partners in this class. I do not want you to work consistently with the same person/people. I will be forming different groups and changing everyone’s seat on a regular basis. Get used to it and learn to go with the flow!
• Outside passes are given at teacher’s discretion. You must ask to use the restroom in Spanish and at an appropriate time during the class period. A polite ways to ask to use the restroom is “¿Puedo ir al baño por favor?” or “¿Me permite ir al baño por favor?”
• It should be stated and understood that cheating will not be tolerated.
• No candy, food, gum or drinks! Throw away any snacks prior to entering the classroom in outside trashcans. You may bring water to class.
• We will straighten the desks and pick up any trash off the floor at the end of each class period. This will be a part of our daily routine.
• We are a team in this class. This means that no put-downs will be tolerated!
• When class is nearing an end, do not wait by the door. You will be dismissed from class by your teacher, not by the bell.