TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, California

Course of Study

Spanish 9-10

 I. INTRODUCTION

Spanish 9-10 is a year-long course of study intended for students who have achieved an advanced level of communicative skill in both spoken and written Spanish through successful completion of Spanish 8 or Advanced Placement Spanish. Its position in the curricular sequence may be either before or after Advanced Placement, or as an alternative to the Advanced Placement course. Students who elect this class shall be highly motivated to apply previously learned material in a real-world context.  This class exposes students to a wide range of cultural experiences both in and outside of the classroom and allows students to design personalized units of study under the supervision of the teacher that maximize areas of interest and lead to the development of a portfolio of work that is appropriate to gaining employment in a bilingual setting or continuing their education at the college or university level.

This course addresses the following Tam 21st Century goals:

This course will challenge students to broaden and deepen their learning experiences through personalized, hands-on activities that inspire passion and stem from a genuine desire to pursue excellence and develop as thinking and caring individuals.  Students will practice the skills of life- long learners and will actively acquire, manage and use knowledge to succeed in their personal, academic and professional lives.  Students will work individually and collaboratively to conceptualize, solve complex problems, communicate ideals and appreciate the ethnic, religious, social, economic and cultural diversity of our students, staff and community.

This course addresses the following Student Learning Outcomes:

Outcome #1: Communicate articulately, effectively and persuasively when speaking and writing.
Outcome #2: Read/view and analyze material in a variety of disciplines.
Outcome#3: Use technology to access information, analyze/solve problems and communicate ideas.
Outcome#4: Demonstrate knowledge of individual rights and responsibilities in a democratic society.
Outcome#8: Communicate in a second language.
Outcome #10: Analyze current issues from historical, political, economic, geographic, scientific and multicultural perspectives.
Outcome #12: Demonstrate school-to-work/post secondary transition skills and knowledge.
Outcome #13: Participate in community, social, civic or cultural service.

This course is also designed to continue students’ mastery of the state Content Standards in World Languages (as referenced in the Student Learning Outcomes in Section II).

II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will:

1.	actively seek out Spanish-speaking members of the Bay Area community and develop an appreciation of their life experiences through extensive conversational encounters; recruit Spanish-speaking members of the community to speak in classrooms and at events designed by students to focus attention on a variety of areas of interest.(State Standard 1.1 “Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.”) 
2.	contribute written material for publication in local and school periodicals and/or pamphlets.(State Standard 1.3 “Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.”)
3.	read a rich variety of authentic print materials (books, magazines, brochures, schedules, catalogues, maps, etc.) to investigate questions of personal and community concern.(State Standard 1.2 “Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.” and State Standard 3.2 “Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.”)
4.	use the Internet, email technology, PowerPoint and web page design to disseminate information to special interest groups on and off campus.
5.	host informational forums sharing their knowledge of issues facing Spanish-speaking members of our community with their peers(State Standard 2.1 “Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.”); educate fellow students in the Tam District about cultural events of interest available in the Bay Area by publishing a monthly calendar that highlights these events and provides information on their venues.(State Standard 2.2 “Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.”)
6.	use Spanish as the medium of communication both inside and outside the classroom.(State Standard 5.1 “Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.”)
7.	conduct research in areas of personal interest that reflect global awareness in the fields of finance, environmental studies, women’s issues, politics and multiculturalism. (State Standard 3.1 “Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.”)
8.	compile evidence of their work in a portfolio that demonstrates their expertise in technology, effective communication and ability to work as a team member/leader.
9.	perform community service projects and offer themslves as interns to various Bay Area organizations that represent the students’ special areas of interest, targeting a Spanish-speaking clientele. (State Standard 5.2 “Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.”)

III. ASSESSMENT

	A. Student Assessment

The course work for Spanish 9-10 is project-based in nature. Students are assessed on their adherence to stated project goals and their completion of projects by the pre-determined deadlines. Students are provided with grading rubrics before each project begins and opportunities are also provided for students to evaluate other group members before final grades are given. Students and teachers will conference at stated intervals during the project time frame to ensure adherence to objectives and to monitor time on task.

	Students will be given the grading criteria and course expectations, preferably in writing, 
	at the beginning of the course. 

	B. Course Assessment 

Teachers will complete a course survey at the end of the school year that addresses the      following:

Ø	Were the Student Learning Outcomes addressed in Section II achieved in the instructional program?
Ø	Did these outcomes meet course goals?

Students will complete a survey that evaluates the project-based activities and how they met course objectives.

Spanish 9-10 teachers will meet in the fall of the following year to discuss the survey results and make revisions to instructional practices.

IV. METHODS AND MATERIALS

	A. Methods

Instructional strategies for this course may include but are not limited to the following:

Ø	Socratic seminar
Ø	Interviews with native speakers
Ø	Presentations to peers and adult members of the community-at-large
Ø	Field trips to galleries, events, legislative sessions at the state and local level
Ø	Guest artists
Ø	Internships
Ø	Community Service
Ø	Extensive reading of authentic materials, historical and current

	B. Materials

This course does not rely on any specific text. Students will have access to performing arts facilities at all sites, computer labs and presentation software and hardware. Newspapers, magazines, and video resources will be integral to completion of classwork.

C. Technology 

With a mentor, students will develop and hone skills with presentation software (PowerPoint, PhotoShop, or other appropriate products) and web page software (such as PageMill ). Internet access, email and desktop publishing will be accomplished through use of PC’s and Apple computers. Students will use camcorders and computer projection devices. Some students will perform video editing tasks.

V. GENERAL INFORMATION
 Spanish 9-10   is a yearlong, 10-credit course open to all students who have met the prerequisites.
	
            A. Prerequisites

Students must have achieved a passing grade in Spanish 8 or AP Spanish Language to enroll in Spanish 9. A passing grade in Spanish 9 is required to enroll in Spanish 10.

	B. Requirements Met
      	
	This course may be used as elective credit towards graduation but does not meet any specific graduation requirement.

This course is accepted towards the “e” or “g” requirement for UC/CSU admissions.

Adopted:
Revised: 6/23/04