SPANISH 1A COURSE OUTLINE

Ms. Nelsen
1.

NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS: There are two Standards for learning Spanish.
1.
2.

Students will be able to use a language other than English for communication.
Students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings.

2.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: New York State requires each child to have at least one credit in a
foreign language. He / She will not be awarded a high school diploma without this credit. At South
Seneca Middle School your child can earn this high school credit by the end of 8th grade. At the end of
8th grade, if your child passes the Regional Proficiency Exam, he/she will be awarded one high school
foreign language credit and can go on to Level 2 at the high school. If he/she does not pass the final
exam, then your child will be required to take the Level I language class in the high school until he/she
passes the course.

3.

GENERAL OUTLINE: This course is offered to seventh grade students. During the year we will focus
on listening and speaking skills. The goal of the course is for students to be introduced to Spanish and
to begin to know and understand of the culture and daily life of the different countries that use Spanish
as their primary language. Students will take the Regional Proficiency Examination at the end of next
year.

4.

LEARNER EXPECTATIONS: The student will be able to employ vocabulary involving the following
topics in speaking, listening, reading and writing activities:
Alphabet
Question words
School supplies

Numbers
Countries
Transportation

Directions
Pastimes/sports
Weather

5.

MATERIALS NEEDED: This class does not use the typical textbook/workbook model. Instead, each
student will need to have a 2-inch three ring binder that is just for Spanish class with dividers. The
binder will be divided into warm-up activities, notes, class handouts, homework and extra paper.

6.

USE OF TARGET LANGUAGE: In accordance with the recommendations of the American Council of
the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), this course will be taught in Spanish as much as
possible. Students are expected to put forth effort to comprehend the lesson and participate in the
target language. Students will receive a Speaking/Participation grade based on their participation and
use of Spanish in class.

7.

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS: Homework is assigned on a regular basis. Students are expected to

write down the assignment in their planner every day and to have the homework completed on time. If
the assignments are not completed on time, half credit will be given if the work is completed after that.

8.

GRADING PROCEDURES: There are 5 components, which together will determine the class grade.
The speaking component will be determined by speaking assignments (2 per quarter) where the
student must visit me during an enrichment period or study hall.
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
Homework

9.

20%
30%
20%
20%
10%

ONLINE TRANSLATOR POLICY: The use of online translators is strictly prohibited on any class

assignment. Students are expected to use their own vocabulary that we study in class. The use of
online translators is considered cheating and will result in a ZERO on the assignment and a discipline
referral. Since students are assessed on the application of the unit vocabulary on projects and
homework, they are expected to use the vocabulary they have been learning in class. The purpose of
the assignments is to see what students know, not what a computer can do.
10.

PARENT/TEACHER CONTACT: If a parent wants to check in on their childs progress I encourage you
to send an email and I will get back to you right away - usually the same day! My email address is:
mnelsen@southseneca.org
I also make a mass email list by grade level for parent information purposes. Periodic announcements
of upcoming quizzes, tests, end of marking period dates and other useful information will be sent out by
email. If you wish to receive these announcements, please be sure I have your email at the bottom of
this page.

I have read and understand the above policies and procedures.

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Student
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Parent / Guardian
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Email
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Date