• Spanish 3 / Juana Banco

    Course Syllabus 

    School year 2024-25

     

    About the teacher

    My name is Juana Banco. I was born and raised in Spain. I came to the United States when I was 27 years old because I married an American.  We have been married for 35 years and have two boys, ages 27 and 31. They both went to John Jay High School. My parents, sisters, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins live in Spain, that is why I visit there for at least five weeks every summer. 

     

    I have a Master’s degree in Journalism that I obtained from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid. Because of that, obtaining my certification, at Mount Saint Mary College, to teach Spanish was an easy transition. 

    I have been teaching Spanish since the year 2000. I love teaching the language and culture that I know so well. I love learning from my colleagues as well as my students and I love being with the young people that are my students.  

    Please see my email address below should you need or would like to contact me.

    juana.banco@wcsdny.org

     

    Course Description and Learning Goals

    The students will learn to speak, listen, read and write in Spanish on the topics listed below. Although the topics are the same from levels 1-5, the degree of depth in which they will be taught and the demands to the students will vary according to the level. The students will also learn cultural aspects within each topic and compare them with their own culture, and/or other cultures with which they are familiar. 

     

    1. Identity and Social Relationships (Personal Identity; Family & Social Relationships; Celebrations, Customs, & Traditions)

     

    2. Contemporary Life (Food & Meal Taking; House & Home; School life & Education; Travel; Leisure; Communities & Neighborhood; Shopping; Earning a Living)

     

    3. Science, Technology & and the Arts (Health & Wellness; Physical Environment, Climate, Environmental issues, Weather, & Geography; Technology, Media & Social Media; The Arts)

     

    Prerequisite: Must have passed Spanish levels 1 and 2.

     

    Credit: 1 

    To obtain an Advanced Regents Diploma through Spanish, students must pass the class and the Final Assessment given at the end of quarter 4. 

     

    My goal is to help you learn how to communicate in Spanish to the best of your abilities, and to make you feel comfortable using your Spanish skills at any opportunity, whether you are in school or outside of the school environment.  Most of the work and practice will take place during class time. That is why it is imperative that you attend classes daily and on time (check page 17 of Code of Conduct, on ATTENDANCE), and that you actively participate in all tasks and activities.

     

    Course Materials

    ►Pencils, blue or black pens, eraser, pencil sharpener.

    ►A three-ring binder with lined or unlined paper (it can be shared with other subjects

    ►Dry erase markers, EXPO low odor, and eraser (the eraser could be an old sock or small towel) 

     

    Grading Policy

    The grades will be based on the students’ skills and performance in Oral and Written Assessments. Occasionally, there could also be an Independent Work assignment. All scores will be available for viewing on the Parent Portal.

     

    Total poing system:

    Each assignment or assessment will be worth an X number of points. Each quarter grade will be calculated by adding the points earned, multiplying the number by 100, and then dividing that number by the “Maximum Points Possible”. The gradebook, in Infinite campus, calculates the averages automatically.

     

    Honor Code

    A healthy learning environment can exist only if a commitment is made by all to live in the most ethical way. Those who refuse to make this commitment hurt not only themselves but also those in the entire school community. A grade of zero may be given for cheating, plagiarism, use of AI, falsification, and forgery (for more specific information check page 11 of Code of Conduct).

     

    Electronic Devices

     Per district & building policy, you may NOT have any electronic device during class, unless instructed to do so. I ask that you turn off and place your electronic device in the indicated location in the classroom until the end of the period (for more specific information check page 13 of Code of Conduct on CELL PHONES AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES)

     

    What you ought to do to be successful:

     ►Come to class every day and arrive on time.  It disrupts your learning if you are not in class or if you miss information.  (see page 17 in Code of Conduct on ATTENDANCE) 

     ►Be prepared for class: have all your materials with you, have your chromebook charged. 

     ►Participate in class tasks or activities.

    ►Review at home what was taught in class. 

     ►Schedule to meet me individually, if you need help or when you have to make up assignments.

     ►Follow my directions and advice: When I assign an activity, complete it the way I explain it to you. Do not take shortcuts. There is a reason why I ask you to do it a certain way. 

     

     

    I am looking forward to meeting your parents or guardians at our Open House on Thursday, October 17th, 6-8 pm. 

     

    I am excited about a year of learning and fun with you. 

    Sra.  Banco