Spanish at Saint Martin’s Grades 5-8 Señor Davis

Why learn Spanish? The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are 40 million native Spanish speakers in the country.1 Learning another language improves one’s English skills, increases academic achievement and is more marketable to employers. To graduate high school in New York State, students are required at least 1 credit of foreign language. 1 http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

Fifth Grade Learning Objectives Greetings, numerals, nationality, family members, time, and weather Grammatical gender and number Present tense verb conjugation

Sixth Grade Objectives Present tense verb conjugation Interrogations and negations Ser/Estar differences Adjectives/adverbs Professions, age, mathematics, school subjects, counting, countries and nationality

Seventh Grade Objectives Double negation Irregular verb conjugation in present tense Simple future tense expressions Demonstrative pronouns Food, classroom objects, health, destinations, leisure activities, personality traits

Eighth Grade Objectives Preterit tense verb conjugation The imperative Gerunds Direct object pronouns Clothing, stores, celebrations, household items, travel, entertainment and technology High school placement exam review, which will include new vocabulary from previous lessons

Student Assessment Students will be evaluated on their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Nightly homework may include: worksheets, pieces of writing, translations or readings. Students will complete a short research paper each semester on Spanish or Latin American culture.

Grading Tests 45% Quizzes 25% Homework 10% Class participation 20% All assignments will be graded and returned within five days. Scores will also be posted on Cornerstone.

Our Faith Catholicism has played a vital role in Spanish history and culture, as it still does today. Students will be assigned projects that explore Spanish saints, cathedrals, pilgrimages and religious traditions. Each class begins with a prayer. We will be learning the “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory Be,” “Prayer to Saint Michael” and “Come Holy Spirit.” Students will also be quizzed on a monthly Bible verse in Spanish. They must memorize the Spanish verse and its English translation.

Contact Info Email is the preferred method of contact: ADavis@smdpschool.net Also check my Teacher Web for homework and other announcements. I will also post review sheets and the prayers taught in class.