1. Español 4ACC - Programa de estudios 2011-2012
Señor Giampaolo
dana.giampaolo@timberlane.net
Timberlane Regional High School
¡Bienvenidos a todos! Esperoqueestaclase sea unaexperienciamuydivertida y
productiva. Vamos a trabajarduro y estudiar mucho, perotambiénjugaremos y
aprenderemosaunmás. Apreciosucooperaciónen cumplir los procedimientos y
protocolos de la claseporque, de veras, es la clase de ustedes, no de mí.
Estoyaquíparaayudar a cadauno de ustedes. Es mi trabajo y es mi placer.
-Sr. Giampaolo
Course Description:
Spanish 4 Accelerated is a course designed to help students build a more solid foundation
in Spanish at an accelerated pace by exposing them to comprehensible input in the target
language and challenging them to engage with others (and themselves!) in Spanish only!
Through Spanish speaking media, group activities, discussions, and games, students will
become more accomplished Spanish-speakers as well as come to understand various
aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures.
Competencies:
Upon successful completion of Spanish 4ACC, students will be able to speak, read, and write
with accuracy in Spanish at a level comparable to expectations set by the ACTFL’s National
Standards for World Language Education in the fourth year. The students’ comprehension
of written and spoken Spanish will also be commensurate to national standards for Spanish
4. Cultural topics of relevance will be treated and students will be knowledgeable about
different customs as well as linguistic differences between the target and their native
language.
* As participants in an accelerated Spanish class, all students should EXPECT and
PREPARE to interact with instructor and classmates EXCLUSIVELY in SPANISH!!!!!!!!
Contemplation for the year:
Buenoes saber que los vasos
nossirvenparabeber;
lo maloesque no sabemos
paraquésirve la sed.
-Antonio Machado Proverbios y cantares

2. Class Themes:
Quarter 1: Love Quarter 3: Humor
Quarter 2: War Quarter 4: Myths, Legends and Fantasy
Expectations:
As a class, we are agreed to abide by the five-fold principle of “RESPETO” in order to ensure
a fun, safe, productive, and pleasant learning environment. Students are expected to act in
a manner in which they always show respect to: 1.) themselves 2.) their classmates/peers
3.) their instructor 4.) their community 5.) their planet. This helps us eliminate the need
for many rules and allows us to reflect daily on our behavior/attitude and how we treat
others.
As young adults, students are expected to work with the adults in their lives to understand
and appreciate the “rules” we must follow and why they exist.
Students failing to respect our guiding principle will be issued a gentle reminder at first.
Repeated lack of respect will result in a mandatory teacher conference and call/email
home. Further disrespect will incur a detention and call/email home as well as an
administrative write-up. Please act in the manner which you wish/deserve to be treated so
that the whole class may enjoy our short time learning together.
To ensure students are able to participate in class activities and improve each day, students
must bring to class:
* Their student agenda * Writing utensil
*A notebook/binder and folder for notes/handouts
To ensure students are not distracting themselves and/or others, mobile phones and
personal electronic devices will be turned off and put away before class begins.
All impending classwork/homework/quizzes/projects/tests will be posted on the class
Moodle site and reviewed at the start and/or end of class. Please be informed and aware.
Many assignments will be allowed to be turned in electronically, but certain times students
will need a hard copy or hand written version of their work. Please adhere to directions.
Procedures:
At the start of class, students enter quietly, sit at their assigned seats, prepare to hand in
work from a prior day when necessary, and begin to focus on the “Buenos Días” activity
being projected and await further instructions. Students will return desks to their correct
positions and assist others in organizing the room in the last 3 minutes of class and await
instructor’s dismissal.
Students will tend to their personal needs between classes so as to avoid missing
instruction. In emergencies, bathroom permits may be obtained after the first 10 min. of
class and before the last 10 min. Only 1 student should be out of the class at a time.

3. Grading Policy:
Grades are measured quarterly by the student’s performance and progress in the following
4 language skills as demonstrated in classwork and homework assignments as well as
quizzes, tests, and various projects each quarter.
Speaking = 25% Listening = 25% Reading = 25% Writing = 25% = Final Grade100%
Speaking evaluations:
* Weekly class discussions * Pair/group chats * Oral test/quizzes
* Oral analyses * ”Hablar al azar” * Skits/plays
Listening evaluations:
* Comprehension checks * Dictation/Follow ups * Tests/quizzes
* Listening assignments * Instruction following * Clips
Reading evaluations:
* Comprehension checks * Translations *Summaries
* Reactions/reflections * Tests/quizzes * Analyses
Writing evaluations:
* Weekly journals * Mini-essays *Forums/chats
* Peer review process *Structure/vocabulary tests/quizzes
To be better informed of instructor expectations, please refer to rubrics for speaking,
listening, and writing evaluations (electronic document: Spanish Assessment Rubrics)
Dates to keep in mind:
End of first quarter: November 9
End of second quarter/first semester: January 25
End of third quarter: April 5
End of fourth quarter/second semester: June 18 (pending snow day additions)
Homework:
Spanish 4ACC students have homework EVERY NIGHT: to practice speaking, listening, reading,
and writing Spanish. It is essential to practice in and out of the classroom regularly, in addition to
completing obligatory assignments. However, in order to keep pace, more structured homework
assignmentswill be given increasingly if it is apparent students are not practicing on their own.
Late work/make-up work:
Given the pseudo-linear nature of the course’s work, it is important to be timely with completing
assignments to keep one’s grade current and stay up-to-date with concepts being discussed in
class. The purpose of all assignments is to show competency and build upon Spanish skills.

4. Unexcused late work may not be an accurate assessment after 24-hours. Therefore, any
unexcused late assignments may potentially be changed and/or added to by the instructor.
As many assignments may be passed in electronically, there are very few opportunities to
lose/forget/not know about assignments. Please plan ahead. Students whose work is late due to
an excused absence will have 24 hours from the due date/class time to complete the assignment
for full points. Unexcused late work will be accepted for a ½ to full letter grade reduction 24
hours late. It is highly encouraged to be timely with homework!
Any missed assignment where class time was given to complete (quiz, essay, project, test, etc.) will
need to be made up outside of class time; before or after school unless otherwise arranged
between instructor and student. Unexcused/excused absence rule applies: students should make
the work up as soon as possible to avoid point deductions.
Extra help:
Señor Giampaolo is available most days after school and sometimes before school starts to provide
extra help and sometimes as an opportunity to make-up missed assessments in room 106. Please
make an appointment Monday through Thursday if you are in need of extra help or make-up.
FINALLY…we are ready to learn!
Remember: Learning Spanish can be very difficult at times and feel very awkward. Similar to the
way in which you learned English as a baby, it takes some time, repetition, and an open mind to be
able to communicate effectively, even in the most basic manner. While some students may pick up
concepts and vocabulary quickly, others may find more difficulty in learning. Please be patient
with others and yourself. It is not expected that you are completely fluent after this course, but it
is expected that you try to master what we cover in class and do your best to communicate as
authentically as you can. As you progress, be honest with yourself about how you are doing and
why things are going that way. If you ever feel you aren’t doing as well as you should, before you
panic, complete this auto evaluation and adjust your strategy and/or attitude toward class.
True Kind of Not really Not at all
I am giving my best every day: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
I am practicing regularly: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
I am seeking help when I need it : ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
I am learning/retaining a lot: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
I am having fun: ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Your instructor is here to help you! Please seize this opportunity to learn and grow as much as
you want to/can! This is your class and your future…have fun and enjoy!