Golda Meir-Upper Campus
Course Syllabus 2014-2015:
Department: World Languages
Course Title: Exploring Language and Culture of Latin America
Grade Level(s): 7th and 8th
Email: [email protected]
Alternate Email: [email protected]
Instructor: Sra. Tamiko Jordán-Obregόn
Room Number: 416-417
Website: http://goldaspanish.weebly.com
Phone: (414) 212-3200
Course Syllabus 2014-2015:
Department: World Languages
Course Title: Exploring Language and Culture of Latin America
Grade Level(s): 7th and 8th
Email: [email protected]
Alternate Email: [email protected]
Instructor: Sra. Tamiko Jordán-Obregόn
Room Number: 416-417
Website: http://goldaspanish.weebly.com
Phone: (414) 212-3200
I. Textbook: There is no textbook for this course. Several readings and videos will be provided for the students.
II. Spanish Class Website: (http://goldaspanish.weebly.com) I am currently developing an online presence for the Golda Meir Spanish Classes. On this website, parents/guardians and students will be able to check on past, current, and future assignments, contact me directly, get homework help, and much more. Additionally, there will be links to other resources on the internet.
III. Supplies: Click here to access the supply list for this class.
IV. Course Description: The purpose of this course is to help students recognize the many cultures that make up Latin America. We will explore the language similarities and differences as well as the origins of the language. We will also examine the various cultural aspects of Spain and each country in Latin America. Myths and stereotypes will be debunked. Upon the completion of this course, the students will have a great appreciation for the many cultures that one can find in the Spanish-speaking world.
V. Course Objectives: Students will be able :
VI. Intent of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Foreign Language:
For this course, we will
• CULTURES: gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures
• CONNECTIONS: connect with other disciplines and acquire information
• COMPARISONS: develop insight into the nature of language and culture
VII. Course Evaluation: 100% of the student’s grade will be based on summative assessments. There are two types of assessments you will be given this school year; summative and formative. Each type of assessment has a purpose and will offer great insight into your level of mastery of a given standard:
Regardless of the type of assessment, each will be based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in which you must demonstrate mastery.
VIII. Homework/Practice Opportunities: For each chapter, homework/practice assignments will be assigned on a daily basis and you are expected to complete these assignments. These assignments will directly relate to the CCSS and, in turn, the assessments given in class. Feedback will be provided on properly submitted assignments. Practice opportunities are meant solely to provide practice for upcoming assessments; therefore, they will not count towards any part of your final grade. These opportunities will be marked in the grade book to help you keep track of your completion of these assignments. There will be no opportunities to make up these assignments.
IX. Grading Policy and Reporting: You will be graded on your ability to master the standards at their academic level. All student grades will be based solely on summative assessments.
Parents, you will be provided a weekly update on your child’s progress through the online grade book. If you do not yet have access to this grade book, please sign up in the main office.
All report cards will be based on the Common Core State Standards. Each student is expected to master the standards taught in their course. Report cards will be provided every 12 weeks; which means there will be only three (3) interim report cards given throughout the school year.
II. Spanish Class Website: (http://goldaspanish.weebly.com) I am currently developing an online presence for the Golda Meir Spanish Classes. On this website, parents/guardians and students will be able to check on past, current, and future assignments, contact me directly, get homework help, and much more. Additionally, there will be links to other resources on the internet.
III. Supplies: Click here to access the supply list for this class.
IV. Course Description: The purpose of this course is to help students recognize the many cultures that make up Latin America. We will explore the language similarities and differences as well as the origins of the language. We will also examine the various cultural aspects of Spain and each country in Latin America. Myths and stereotypes will be debunked. Upon the completion of this course, the students will have a great appreciation for the many cultures that one can find in the Spanish-speaking world.
V. Course Objectives: Students will be able :
- There are several goals for this class. We want students...
- To fully understand another culture, to develop an awareness of another people's way of life, of the patterns of behavior that order their world, and to become aware of the traditional ideas, attitudes, and perspectives that guide their behaviors.
- To respect and appreciate the diversity of their world. Students will learn about the contribution of other cultures to the world and the solutions they offer to problems confronting them. Awareness of these contributions helps students understand how their views and other people's views of the world have been influenced.
- To acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are available only through a language and its cultures.
- To gain insight into the nature of their own language and understand the power of word choice and to compare how different language systems express meaning and reflect culture.
- To understand themselves better and build an understanding of different responses to similar situations.
- To fully understand another culture, to develop an awareness of another people's way of life, of the patterns of behavior that order their world, and to become aware of the traditional ideas, attitudes, and perspectives that guide their behaviors.
VI. Intent of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Foreign Language:
For this course, we will
• CULTURES: gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures
• CONNECTIONS: connect with other disciplines and acquire information
• COMPARISONS: develop insight into the nature of language and culture
VII. Course Evaluation: 100% of the student’s grade will be based on summative assessments. There are two types of assessments you will be given this school year; summative and formative. Each type of assessment has a purpose and will offer great insight into your level of mastery of a given standard:
- Formative Assessments: These types of tests are used to provide information on your understanding of a concept at any given point. While these assessments are scored, they are not counted towards your final grade. It is your responsibility to make use of the feedback provided to you on these assessments. You will be provided multiple opportunities to take formative assessments on a given standard.
- Summative Assessments: These are the only types of assessments that will be used to determine your final grade. It is important that you demonstrate mastery of a standard on these assessments. You will not be offered multiple opportunities to take these types of assessments. You will be informed of when these assessments will occur.
Regardless of the type of assessment, each will be based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in which you must demonstrate mastery.
VIII. Homework/Practice Opportunities: For each chapter, homework/practice assignments will be assigned on a daily basis and you are expected to complete these assignments. These assignments will directly relate to the CCSS and, in turn, the assessments given in class. Feedback will be provided on properly submitted assignments. Practice opportunities are meant solely to provide practice for upcoming assessments; therefore, they will not count towards any part of your final grade. These opportunities will be marked in the grade book to help you keep track of your completion of these assignments. There will be no opportunities to make up these assignments.
- Heading: All student work must have a complete heading in the upper right hand corner of the page. It should include: (1) Full name, (2) course name AND hour, (3) date, and (4) the assignment.
- Your assignments will not be marked in the grade book if (1) you hand in work without a complete heading, (2) your work is illegible or messy, or (3) if there is a clear disregard for the assignment’s instructions.
IX. Grading Policy and Reporting: You will be graded on your ability to master the standards at their academic level. All student grades will be based solely on summative assessments.
Parents, you will be provided a weekly update on your child’s progress through the online grade book. If you do not yet have access to this grade book, please sign up in the main office.
All report cards will be based on the Common Core State Standards. Each student is expected to master the standards taught in their course. Report cards will be provided every 12 weeks; which means there will be only three (3) interim report cards given throughout the school year.
The Academic and Effort Scale that will be used to assess student mastery will be as follows:
AD- Advanced
PR- Proficient
BA-Basic
MI- Minimal
AD- Advanced
- Exceeding grade level expectations
- Opportunities for work that exceeds grade level expectations will be given.
PR- Proficient
- Meeting grade level expectations
- PR is the goal for all students in all areas by the end of the school year.
BA-Basic
- Just below grade level expectations
- Student is within a year of grade level expectations; student is “on the bubble” and should be able to reach proficiency with some effort.
MI- Minimal
- Far below grade level expectations
- Student is more than a year behind grade level expectations, student is working to reach proficiency but much additional effort will be needed.
X. Classroom Expectations: Everyone who enters the classroom is subject to high unwavering expectations. I will have expectations of you and your parents and you should hold me to those same high standards.
XI. Discipline Policy: The middle school administrative staff and teaching staff are confident that discipline will not be an issue. Be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing and all will be well. However, sometimes a child’s behavior needs to be redirected. In that event, we intend to take the following actions to return the child’s focus towards learning:
We believe this behavior action plan will promote a safe, positive, and engaging environment where all students are able to succeed!
XII. Cultural Excursions and In Class Activities: Students in the 7th & 8th grade Spanish classes will engage in various cultural field trips and classroom activities. Parents will be invited to chaperone and to participate in or experience the classroom activities. Parents and guardians will be notified well in advance of all opportunities to participate. They will also be posted on the class website.
- Arrive on time and prepared to work
- Be actively engaged in your learning. Participate in discussions and classroom activities.
- RESPECT your teacher, your peers, yourself, and the classroom environment.
- Complete all assignments on time
- Maintain integrity
- Beverages, candy, food, gum, etc. are prohibited in the classroom
- When you have a question, ask it!
XI. Discipline Policy: The middle school administrative staff and teaching staff are confident that discipline will not be an issue. Be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing and all will be well. However, sometimes a child’s behavior needs to be redirected. In that event, we intend to take the following actions to return the child’s focus towards learning:
- Teacher will give student a non-verbal cue to redirect his/her behavior.
- A verbal warning from the teacher will be given to the student.
- If the distracting behavior continues, the child will be removed from his/her classmates but within the classroom where he/she will still be able to hear, see, and participate in the lesson.
- If disruptive behavior continues, the child will call his/her parents immediately on the classroom phone to assist the child with redirection.
- Should the student still not be able to redirect himself/herself, the child will be sent to one of the other middle school classrooms for the duration of the class, and the teacher will initiate a parent/teacher phone conference after the normal school day.
- For severe behavior issues, the child will be immediately sent to the office.
We believe this behavior action plan will promote a safe, positive, and engaging environment where all students are able to succeed!
XII. Cultural Excursions and In Class Activities: Students in the 7th & 8th grade Spanish classes will engage in various cultural field trips and classroom activities. Parents will be invited to chaperone and to participate in or experience the classroom activities. Parents and guardians will be notified well in advance of all opportunities to participate. They will also be posted on the class website.