The focus of the Spanish curriculum at Horning Middle School is the development of communication skills in Spanish and knowledge of the cultures of Spanish speakers throughout the world. The curriculum is aligned with state and national standards.
Each unit is designed around a theme and students learn language that is pertinent to that theme. The teaching of grammar, syntax, and culture is embedded in the activities for each unit. On-line practice activities are provided for each thematic unit and can be accessed during computer class or at home. Students who need extra help are scheduled for or may request individual or small group support at any time.
Spanish is spoken in the classroom and visual clues, gestures, pantomime, etc. are used to help students understand and internalize phrases without constant translation. Written English directions are given for all procedural tasks, but oral Spanish is also used to teach high frequency procedures (be seated, converse with your partner, etc.). Students are not expected to understand every word! The language that they are expected to know is actually very strongly emphasized and will be practiced often, in many different ways on many occasions.
For each unit, all students are assessed on performance goals in the three modes of communication—interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive. Curriculum templates and the performance goals and skills for each unit will be located in the FILES section of the 7th and 8th grade pages.
Examples of interpersonal assessments are: a spontaneous conversation, a spontaneous skit, a spontaneous puppet show, etc.
Some presentational assessment examples include: a poster, an autobiography, a prepared skit, a prepared puppet show, a PowerPoint, a PhotoStory, a brochure, etc.
For the interpretive assessments the students read or listen to authentic text or media and show their understanding by responding in English.