NEWARK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION

ACADEMIC YEAR:2006-2007

TEACHER: MRS.  SCHUMAKER, B.A. SPANISH, THIEL COLLEGE; M.A. SPANISH, ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY(Madrid, Spain campus);CERTIFICATE OF STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF MADRID, SPAIN; EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, DENISON UNIVERSITY. STATE OF OHIO LICENSE TO TEACH SPANISH.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Using the textbook,workbook, teacher designed written and oral exercises, tapes,internet activities, and short stories in Spanish, students are expected to master all verb tenses in the indicative mood, expand vocabulary, increase ability to communicate orally and in written form, increase listening and reading comprehension, learn about culture of various Hispanic countries within a Catholic context.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: A three ring binder, notebook paper, index cards(to make flashcards), a Spanish-English dictionary.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR: In order to attain the above listed goals, a classroom that is conducive to learning must be maintained. Practice is the key to successful learning in any endeavor, and the most effective way to learn a foreign language in a school setting is by repetition in the class and at home on a daily basis. Flashcards must be made to use in and out of school. Homework must be completed neatly, completely and on time. Coming to class on time , preparing to participate daily, and listening carefully are skills which will ensure success, not only in Spanish class, but in other areas of school and life outside of the academic environment.

GRADING POLICY: Each quiz, test, special assignment or project is worth a specific nunber of points, and the quarterly grade is computed on the number of points that a student has earned divided by the total number possible. The resulting percentage is converted to a letter grade following the scale in the student handbook. NO points are awarded for homework or participation because these are expected behaviors which lead to becoming more proficient in the subject matter.

COURSE SPECIFICS: Review present tense of regular, irregular, stem-changing,and reflexive verbs; teach preterite and imperfect tense formation and usage; interrogative words; teach future, conditional, pres. perfect, past perfect, future perfect, conditional, present progressive, present and past participles;   vocabulary expansion through daily practice exercises. Reading short stories from various Hispanic countries to increase reading comprehension. Asking and answering questions in Spanish about a variety of topics using already acquired and new vocabulary to reinforce learning.

A SUCCESSFUL LEARNER: A successful foreign language learner will:

LISTEN CAREFULLY

PRACTICE EVERY DAY

DO HOMEWORK

MAKE FLASHCARDS AND USE THEM

FIND AND MAKE OPPORTUNITIES TO USE SPANISH OUTSIDE OF CLASS

PARTICIPATE IN CLASS

REPEAT AND PRACTICE IN AND OUT OF CLASS

BE INTERESTED IN PEOPLE AND CULTURE

READ TO EXPAND YOUR WORLD

APPRECIATE AND CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES IN CULTURE(language, art, architecture,customs)

BE CURIOUS, ASK QUESTIONS

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE(IT’S WORTH THE EFFORT,AND PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT)