SPANISH 1

RESEARCH TRIANGLE CHARTER ACADEMY

SYLLABUS
Instructor: Mr. Brian Bryant
Office: Music Room (beside the Gym)
Email: 40.bbryant@nhaschools.com
School Phone Number: (919) 957-7108
Class Meeting Location: Room 12
Time: 2:45pm 3:30pm

Spanish 1 is an elective course given for High School credit pending a student
receiving a passing grade for the course; it is a year-long course that focuses on
basic Spanish conversation, vocabulary, culture and grammar. Students must
have had scored a passing grade on the ELA End-of-Grade exam for the
previous school year, and have had demonstrated moral character reflective of
scholarship and maturity.
Is this a BORING class? No.
Spanish 1 is taught through a myriad of teaching techniques including Whole
Brain Teaching, Flip the Classroom, Problem-Based Learning and Collaborative
Learning. Students will be engaged in learning and teaching each other
Spanish language and cultures. Now THIS is exciting!
What do I need for this class?
SUPPLIES
Each student is required to have the following items:
a notebook with filler paper,
pen(s)
pencil(s)
index cards (two packs of index cards will be used for vocabulary)
1 composition notebook (old school back and white)

How am I supposed to act?

EXPECTATIONS
Behavior
Students are asked to follow the FIVE rules, the Student Handbook, and the
school-wide behavior plan. Also, students will be required to follow the SOCIAL
CONTRACT which will be created by students and the teacher.

The FIVE Rules:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Follow directions quickly.

Raise your hand for permission to speak.
Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.
Make smart choices.
Keep your dear teacher happy.

Rules from Whole Brain Teaching.

Consequences:
After receiving a warning, students will receive a color change (yellow, blue and
red). This will accompany the Whole Brain Teacher method for the
class/school for Spanish classes.
Will I have homework?
LA TAREA
Homework is a vital part of learning and improving skills even after
instructional time in the classroom. Homework will be due the next day of
class. For example, if the syllabus says that an assignment is for a certain
lesson, then that homework assignment will be due the next class period if not
otherwise changed by the teacher. If an assignment is late, 5 points will be
deducted from the grade. Homework grades are marked for COMPLETION.
Even if the student does not know the answer, he/she must attempt to answer
the question by writing an answer for each question.
If the student fails to turn in the homework, then he/she will receive a 0 for
that grade.
What are grades like in Spanish 1?
LAS NOTAS
RTCA follows a 10 point grading scale. The scale is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F

100-90
89-80
79-70
69-60
59 below

Students grades fall into one of the following categories. Each category
contributes to the students final grade.

Tests (projects, data binder)

Quizzes (presentations)
Participation (& classwork)

45%
25%
30%

Will the teacher always talk on and onand on?

LOS VIDEOS Y LAS PLANES
Students will be given weekly lesson plans that will have objectives to be
covered for that week, homework assignments, vocabulary and quiz/test dates
and materials.
There will be VIDEOS to be viewed each week BEFORE class begins each day.
It is the students responsibility to view the videos for homework. Students
may access these videos on their laptops, iPads or mobile devices on the
SENORBRYANT TeacherTube channel.
Students must have their syllabus AND the weekly lesson plans in their
notebooks. This will be checked every week for a notebook quiz.
So when I get to the classroom, what do I do?
HAZ AHORA (DO NOW)
At arrival, students are required to complete the Do Now assignment as listed
on the weekly lesson plans. Students should NOT work ahead and complete
the Do Nows for homework or any other time. The Do Now assignments are
strictly for their arrival for each class.
AT THE LOCKERS
Students are to be in a straight line, on level 0 in front of the lockers leading to
the classroom door. Students will greet the teacher, take their seats and begin
on their Do Now assignments.

LOS EXAMANES Y LAS PRUEBAS (TESTS AND QUIZZES)

Tests will be given after each unit is complete. Quizzes will be given throughout
each unit, usually after a lesson has been completed. Pop quizzes may be given
without notice so it is important for students to ask questions during the
lesson, workshop and collaborative work.
Exit Tickets or QTs (Quick Tests) will be given more often to ensure that
students are grasping the concepts and the teacher is effectively teaching the
objectives.
ABSENCES
If students are absent, they are responsible for the work that they are assigned
on the weekly lesson plans. When they return, that work will be due. It is fine
for parents and students to email the teacher for information if a student is to
be absent for a long period of time.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

SEPT. 15 OCT. 15
Spanish 1, along with the other Spanish classes, will have a project in the
month long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Students, by grade level,
will have to participate in the project as it covers objectives in the North
Carolina Essential Standards for Modern Foreign Languages. If a student, for
any reason, cannot participate in these celebration activities, then his/her
parent(s)/guardian(s) will have to send a letter stating that the student cannot
participate.
WEEKLY/UNIT STUDENT LESSON PLANS
Students will receive weekly OR unit based lesson plans. Students will be
required to keep these in their notebooks for reference of homework
assignments, projects and quiz/exam items that will be covered. Also students
will have objectives on these plans so that they know what they are learning for
that week/unit.

Sometimes, students may have pop quizzes, and the answers will be in the
weekly/unit student lesson plans. Thus, it is imperative for students to have
these in their notebooks at all times.
SPANISH 1 FOR HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT
Students will receive a high school credit for receiving a passing grade in this
course. The grade will be on their transcript and will serve as proof of their
completion of a minimum of 150 hours of Level 1 modern foreign language
instruction. At this time, students do NOT have to take the proficiency exam to
receive their credit.
WEBSITES
www.senorbryant.weebly.com
Students will use this website to look at videos, get the latest information and
more.
REMIND APP
Students and parents can receive reminders through text by using the REMIND
app. All you have to do is the following:
Complete the Parent/Guardian information sheet
Once your mobile phone number is entered into the system, you will
receive REMIND messages for any news that is important for you to
know!
For example, upcoming tests/exams/quizzes, projects, events, etc.

DATA NOTEBOOKS
CUADERNOS DEL DATA
Each student is required to keep a section of their notebook to track their data
on exams, quizzes and any other grades. Each unit will be presented through
a pre-test which will then be followed by quizzes, projects and the post-test.
In the Data Notebook, the student is to have (1) a bar graph plotting pre-test
and post-exam scores and (2) a chart listing the pre-test and post-test exam
scores.

The completion of this will serve as proof for the student that he/she has
completed Spanish 1 and that there is evidence for their growth and
competency.
The Data Notebooks will be checked often throughout the year and will be a
grade each time.