Bienvenidos a la clase de espaol 1!

Ms. Zidon, hanzidon@ocontofalls.k12.wi.us

Course Outline
This class is designed as an introduction to the Spanish language as well as Latin
American and Spanish culture. Students develop listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills at a novice level. Basic grammar and vocabulary will be introduced as
we explore cultural themes of the Spanish-speaking world. In the first year, we will
focus on your personal identity through the lenses of descriptions, dispositions,
daily routines,
Environment
This class is designed to be an immersive experience. This means you will be
listening, reading, writing, and speaking in SPANISH with myself and your peers. If
you feel uncomfortable in this environment for any reason, please dont hesitate
to speak with me before or after class and we will work together to create a
solution.
Attitude
While we are in our classroom together, you have a personal choice to bring your
best attitude to our activities and interactions. It is your responsibility to be
respectful, curious, brave, and ready to take risks. The more enthusiasm and
passion you bring to our shared space, the more you will receive in return.
Essential Questions
This year we will try to answer the following questions:
Who am I? How do I interact with others? What is culture? How am I influenced
by culture?
Personal Philosophy
I started learning Spanish starting in school, just like most of you! I know its a risky
business, and that you may feel shy and embarrassed along the way. You may feel
scared to make mistakes, but thats where the magic happens. You cannot learn a
language without making mistakes. Language acquisition is a journey that we get
to take together. Proficiency and fluency do not happen overnight, over one
semester, or even over one decade.

Text and Materials

This years curriculum is based on Realidades 1. Books will stay in the classroom,
and may be checked out if needed. Each student must bring one notebook, one
folder, and writing utensils to class daily. Laptops will be used during class at times,
but may not be used for tasks and activities unrelated to classwork.
Expectations
Be respectful of one another and others possessions.
Come to class on time and ready to go.
Do not disrupt the learning process.
Take care of your classmates. No insults, violence, or passive aggression will be
tolerated.
Apologize and forgive.
Get excited! Take risks! Make mistakes.
Grading
During each chapter, you will be graded on the following items:
1 Interpretive assessment (typically 30-35 pts)
1 Interpersonal assessment (typically 30-35 pts)
1 Presentational assessment (typically 30-35 pts)
2-3 Vocabulary/grammar quizzes (typically 15-20 pts)
Weekly homework (typically 3 assignments/week, 10 pts each)
Homework
All formative assessments (homework) will be due the class day after they are
assigned unless otherwise noted.
Late Work
It is your responsibility to contact me after missing class. If you miss notes, you
may ask a classmate for permission to copy theirs. Any homework assigned on the
day(s) you missed class will be available in the absent binder. You will receive an
extended deadline equal to the number of days missed. If you are absent the day
of an assessment, you will be given one week of school days to complete it.

The purpose of learning a language is to communicate the human

experience in new contexts.