PETERS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE SYLLABUS: HONORS SPANISH IV

Course Information
Course Length: Full Year
Class Location: 251
Teacher Website: http://wilmus.weebly.com/
Edmodo.com 23gj3p
Course Overview and Essential Skills

Teacher Information
Name: Ms. Beth Wilmus
Phone: 724.941.6250 ext. 5335
Email: wilmusb@pt-sd.org

The fourth level language course applies fundamental grammatical concepts in a more sophisticated
contextualized setting. This course develops: increased handling of idiomatic expressions to make the
students speech and written work authentic; greater skill in pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation;
increased knowledge of the social, political, and environmental issues of the Spanish-speaking peoples; and
progression in skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Increased emphasis will be placed on the
study of literature and on social norms within the countries of the target language. Many themes are taught
within the historical context of the language. Classroom instruction and discussion of grammar are almost
exclusively in the target language. Students will also supplement their language instruction by watching
video clips from a language program called Destinos where grammar, vocabulary and culture combine in
authentic conversation. Furthermore, students will acquire language and cultural concepts through a song
of the week by popular Latin artists. Students are expected to exhibit greater independence in their own
acquisition of the language especially within the previously learned and newly acquired grammar concepts.
This course also provides preparation for the AP program.
Course Textbook and Required Materials

Descubre 3 Vista Higher Learning, Blanco 2014

Workbooks: Cuaderno de prctica, cuaderno de actividades comunicativas and testing program for
Descubre 3, Imagina and Realidades 3
Vista Internet Supersite (www.vhlcentral.com)
Destinos video program - https://learner.org/series/destinos/
Verb conjugation site: www.conjuguemos.com
Student vocabulary: www.quizlet.com
Films: Don Quijote de La Mancha and Bodas de Sangre
Students should bring a three-ring binder with notes, paper and writing utensils to class each day

Course Outline of Material Covered:

Unit or Topic
UNIT1 -LECCIN PRELIMINAR:
Review chapter

UNIT 2 -LECCIN 4: La salud y el

bienestar

Concepts/Skills/Resources
Historical and geographical expressions,
formation and uses of the preterite,
formation and uses of the imperfect,
Spains geography and history of Spain,
the Conquest and Reconquest of the
Iberian Peninsula
Symptoms and illnesses, health, wellbeing, doctors, hospitals, medicines and
treatments, informal and formal
commands, double object pronouns,
formation of the present subjunctive,
subjunctive in noun clauses with emotion
and doubt/disbelief/denial, por and para,
Colombia, pharmacies, alternative healing
methods, da de la Raza y los das de
independencia

Timeframe
3 weeks

5 weeks

UNIT 3 -LECCIN 5: Los viajes

UNIT 4 - LECCIN 5-2: La

naturaleza

UNIT 5 - LECCIN 6: Le herencia

espaola y el encuentro de
culturas

UNIT 6 - LECCIN 7: La economa

y el trabajo

UNIT 7 - LECCIN 8: La tecnologa

y la ciencia

UNIT 8 - LECCIN 9: La cultura

popular y las diversiones

UNIT 9 - LECCIN 10: La

literatura y el arte

Taking trips, lodging, safety and accidents,

excursions, subjunctive in noun clauses,
the subjunctive in adjectival clauses,
Central America, the route of the Maya,
ancient civilizations, typical traveling
customs, Da de los Muertos
Nature, animals, natural phenomena,
the environment and current
environmental issues, the future tense, the
conditional tense, the subjunctive in
adverbial clauses, The Caribbean ,
Conservation of Vieques, the Amazon, La
Navidad, Da de los reyes magos, el Ao
Nuevo, la Nochevieja
Ancestors, cultural heritage, architecture,
conquest of the Americas, cultural
assimilation, ethnic groups and cultural
fusion, review of preterite tense, the
imperfect subjunctive, si clauses with the
conditional, Spain and the New World ,
architecture, the conquest and exploration
of the Americas, fusion of cultures in Spain
and Latin America, la Semana Santa, las
Pascuas
Work, jobs, finances, currency in Spanishspeaking countries, economy, job fields
Past participles, present perfect, present
perfect subjunctiv , Bolivia y Paraguay,
economic crisis in Spanish-speaking
countries, interviews and business
etiquette, El da de las madres, El da de
los nios
Technology, astronomy, the universe,
scientists, science and inventions, the
pluperfect, the pluperfect subjunctive,
Per, cellphones, la semana santa, las
pascuas, las fallas, el da del santo patrn,
la feria de abril
Popular culture, current events, leisure
activities, sports, future perfect,
conditional perfect, Si clauses with
compound tenses, Mxico, famous athletes
free times activities in Spanish-speaking
countries, La feria de abril, la Tomatina,
las hogueras de San Juan
Literature, Literary genres, Artists, Art,
Movements in art, Pero vs sino, Passive
voice, Sequencing, Famous art and
literature from the Spanish-speaking
world, Don Quijote de la Mancha novel
and film, popular writers, poets and
painters from the Spanish-speaking world,
Bodas de Sangre- Flamenco adaptation of
Federico Garcia Lorcas play

4 weeks

4 weeks

5 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

6 weeks

5 weeks

*Depending on the needs of the class or changes in the school year, the course outline is subject to change.

Teacher Grading Policy:

The quarter grade will be based on total points and the forms of assessment will not be weighted.
The following forms of assessment will be combined to calculate each students grade:
1. Tests/Quizzes Cumulative quizzes and tests will be given on a weekly or biweekly basis.
2. Projects/Written Assignments Projects will be given instead or in addition to a section test. The point value of projects
will depend on the depth and length of the project itself. Written assignments of varying
lengths will accompany each chapter.
3. In-class Assignments In-class assignments will be completed during class time and may include but are not
limited to group work, journal writing, reading comprehension, mini projects, computer
lab work and oral assessments.
4. Class Participation Students will receive one evaluation for each nine weeks. The following items will be
considered:
answering questions in class
participating in class discussion
paying attention
speaking in Spanish as much as possible without gum
participating in all class activities
being prepared for class (on time with all required materials)
using technology appropriately to enhance instruction misuse will result in
disciplinary referral
If students are not completing these items, it will affect their participation grade.
Students may not chew gum in this class due to its effect on conversation and
pronunciation.
5. Homework This is an Honors class and students will be expected to practice vocabulary and grammar
skills at home on a weekly basis to reinforce classroom learning. In addition, students
will receive homework assignments. Each homework assignment that is collected will be
worth 5-20 points depending on the length of the assignment. Assignments will vary in
depth and difficulty. Homework must be present in class when it is collected or there will
be no credit awarded. Online assignments will be classified as homework and are worth
5 points each.
6. Language Lab/Supersite Students will be responsible for varying activities in the lab as well as online
homework/activities on the Supersite for the textbook. At times, they may be assessed
through oral or written responses. Other times, they may have to turn in a research
assignment or digitally complete an assignment. Students will need to make-up missed
labs on their own time. Please see me to schedule a time to make-up labs before or after
school.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations:

Absent Students
If a student is absent, he should check the absent work folder on the day that he returns
to receive all missed class work and assignments. Each student will have as many days to
make up work as he missed (+1). It is the students responsibility to pick up the missed
work. Extensions may be given in special circumstances. Work will be available for one
week after the date it was assigned. Students must turn in the work before this date or
the assignment will be a 0.
Note: When students are aware of a test, but only absent for the review day, they are
required to take the test the day that they return. Students are responsible to make up
tests/quizzes during free periods or before/after school. If a student fails to make up a
test or quiz in one week, the student will receive a 0 for that test/quiz. The teacher
reserves the right to administer a make-up test/quiz.
Extra Help/ Tutoring
I am always available for extra help on assignments or if tutoring is needed on a regular
basis. Arrangements can be made for time before or after school. Please feel free to let
me know if you need help or are having difficulty with anything. I will also offer review
sessions before difficult tests.
Homework passes
Homework passes may be earned during class time. Passes may be turned in for a 10point homework assignment ONLY and at the discretion of the teacher. Passes will not
be accepted for assignments of any other value or for more than one assignment.
Extra Credit
There will be a few opportunities for extra credit. Each extra credit assignment will also
be given a point value and added to the overall grade of the student. Any student that
cheats on an extra credit assignment will lose the privilege of extra credit for the
remainder of the year and his parents will be contacted.
Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will receive a 0 on the
assignment and will be referred to the administration. Using an online translator is
considered cheating/plagiarism and students will receive a 0 on the assignment.
Also, I will contact his/her parents to discuss the situation and its consequences.
Late Work
No late homework assignments will be accepted. Homework is due at the beginning
of class, no exceptions. A full letter grade will be deducted each day past the due date that
a major assignment or project is late. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.
Student Responsibilities
1. Show respect for yourself, others, and our classroom.
2. Arrive on time to class.
3. Speak in Spanish as much as possible without gum.
4. Always be prepared for class. Bring your Spanish notebook, homework, dictionary, and
pencil/pen to class every day.
5. Work quickly without talking