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Prontuario |
| Course description |
| Course expectations |
| Contact information |
| Bienvenidos (Home page) |
Intermediate 2H is a rigorous course intended to extend and refine students' knowledge and use of Spanish grammar, build reading and listening comprehension, and improve written and spoken fluency. Class is conducted primarily in Spanish; grammatical work is completed at a brisk pace; readings and movies are analyzed thematically and with reference to cultural significance. Music is used to illustrate salient grammar points and as comprehension/pronunciation practice. Students interact with the teacher and with each other in Spanish.
Texts: Abriendo Paso, Gramática; Abriendo Paso, Literatura; selected short stories
Films: Con ganas de triunfar; El Norte; Romero; Como agua para chocolate
1. GRADES
In this class, the first and second quarters count as 20 % each of the grade with the third and fourth quarters counting for 30 % each. In other words, a student needs to demonstrate learning all year.
In each quarter, typically, the grades will be distributed as follows:
Tests/Quizzes.....................................70 %
Writing/Speaking/Participation.........30 %
2. Rubrics:
Writing done as a homework assignment, a portion of a test or quiz, or a formal essay, is graded with the following rubric. Written work is graded more leniently at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses, the goal is to see increasingly sophisticated writing that integrates previous corrections and new learning. For example, a completely accurate essay that uses very simple structures and does not integrate new grammar, idiom or vocabulary will receive a B range grade.
| Strong Control A+ / A |
Clear command of language and a sense of idiom. Clarity of organization. Accuracy and variety in grammar and syntax with few errors. |
-varied, NEW, structures, idioms, adjectives
- subjunctive and/or variety of tenses -fluid; appropriate transitions |
| Good control A- / B+ |
Reads smoothly overall despite some errors in grammar and usage. Evidence of organization. Varied and generally appropriate vocabulary. |
- problems with pret./imperfect or subjunctive/indicative |
Fair Control |
Easily comprehensible, with some signs of fluency and organization. Correct use of simple grammatical structures with minor errors. Some apt vocabulary. |
- errors in conjugation and/or agreement - repetitious or simple vocab. simple structures - misuse of recently acquired grammar or vocab. |
| Weak Control C+ / C / C- |
Generally comprehensible but frequently forces interpretation on the part of the reader. |
-confusing to read because of wrong vocabulary use or wrong tenses - requires translation |
Speaking tasks include lab activities, informal partner and class activities in class, presentations, and quizzes or tests. Like writing, speaking is graded more generously at the beginning of the year.
Very Good/ A+ / A |
Well-developed and appropriate answer; displays originality. Variety of syntax structures. Broad use of vocabulary & idiom. High ease of expression. |
- many idioms |
Good A- / B+ |
Connection of ideas. Mostly correct syntactic strutures. Some range of vocabulary. Pronunciation does not interfere. |
- accurate use of verb tenses - some idiom - few agreement errors - some fluidity |
Adequate B / B- |
Moderate fluency. Repetitious. Basic syntactic patterns / vocabulary. Pronuciation unclear at times. |
-Difficulties with basic tenses - somewhat slow - basic vocabulary - n/adj. agreement errors |
Limited C+ / C |
Partially appropriate answer / Appropriate answer with serious flaws in grammar, usage and pronunciation. Very hesitant. |
- hard to understand |
3. Participation:
Participation in class means :
- sharing with the class. For instance, what activities the student did during the weekend or the night before or any other news.
- listening and responding to classmates' comments or questions.
- volunteering and not waiting to be called on.
- answering questions with accuracy and with original comments.
- respecting your classmates, the teacher, a substitute teacher or guest speaker by listening and responding and/or interacting appropriately.
- preparing homework and any necessary materials (eg. a pencil for the lab, texts) for class each day.
- arriving to class on time every day; missing very few days of class.
When a student participates, the quality of the Spanish is considered, but the fact that the student is willing to say or do something is more important. The improvement of pronunciation and accuracy over the course of the year is amazing.
The best way to contact me is by e-mail.
Ms. Bent's e-mail: cbent@colonial.net
Mr. Pohl's e-mail: epohl@colonial.net
extra help: by appointment during free blocks, before or after school