Spanish at St. Jane

Grade 6-Introduction to Spanish

Spanish 7

Spanish 8

Mr. Charles Alexander, Instructor (Señor A)

This year, the twelfth for our Spanish program, will be one of transition. First of all, the sixth graders will be beginning Spanish class for the first time with the seventh graders. In previous years, Spanish was a two-year program. By adding Spanish to Grade 6, we hope that the current sixth graders will be confident Spanish speakers and writers who can test out of high school Spanish I or qualify for Honors Spanish I at the high school of their choice.

Program Goals:

1.         Students will have fun speaking with their classmates and others in Spanish.

2.         Students will have fun reading, writing, and singing in Spanish.

3.         Students will discover connections between English and Spanish.

4.         Students will discover a connection to our nation’s Hispanic population through our common Catholic faith.

Please bring to every class:

Your Spanish folder (a clasp folder with pockets)

A blue or black ink pen

Spanish dictionary (optional)

Required text:

There will be NO required textbook for any grade this year. We will use this year to evaluate a number of different books in an effort to find a book which is ideal for all three years of Spanish class. Therefore, we will use a variety of materials to teach and learn Spanish this year. Students will receive a number of resources that they must keep in their folders. We will make frequent use of the Internet in this class. Students who do not have Internet access at home should use Public Library computers or make arrangements to complete their web-based assignments in the classroom before they are due.

Meeting days/times:

Introduction to Spanish (Grade 6)–one period per week (Fridays)

Spanish 7–three periods per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday/Friday)

Spanish 8–three periods per week (Monday/Friday, Tuesdays, Wednesday/Thursday)

Assignments:

Students will be asked to complete a variety of assignments in Spanish in every class. Homework will be assigned in every class. Students should complete homework and turn it in at the next Spanish class, or online as directed.

Grading:

Students will be graded in Spanish as follows. Because so much of our learning takes place while students speak, read, and write in class, much of your child’s grade will be class participation (see attached rubric).

15%– written assignments

15%– self- and peer-evaluation of written and spoken class activities

25%–quizzes and tests

35%–class participation

10%–Dia de Comidas project (one trimester)

Major Concepts:

Introduction to Spanish

Basic greetings

Prayers

My house, friends and family

The classroom and the school

Questions and answers

Numbers

Days and dates

Weather

Foods

Telling time

Clothes

Parts of the body

Sports

Colors

Animals

Spanish 7

Basic greetings

Prayers

My house, friends and family

The classroom and the school

Questions and answers

Numbers

Days and dates

Weather

Foods

Telling time

Clothes

Parts of the body

Sports

Colors

Animals

(each taught in more detail)

Spanish 8

More prayers

Comparisons and opposites

Our city, town, state, and country

Other countries and nationalities

Intermediate/advanced conversations

Past actions and events

Daily routine/grooming habits

Popular cultural activities in Spanish-speaking countries

Reading stories in Spanish

Creative writing