About this course: An introduction to Spanish
There are multiple reasons for learning Spanish, these include:
  1. To speak, read, write, and understand the Spanish language.  Spanish is the second most used language in the United States.  In fact in many regions of the country, there are as many Spanish speakers as English speakers.  Speaking, reading, and writing the Spanish language will give you access to the growing Spanish sub-culture within the United States..  
  2. To better understand Spanish speaking peoples, their culture, values and traditions. Only 7% of the world's people speak English as their native language but 90% of all Americans cannot understand any language other than English.
  3. To help master English. Studies show that learning a foreign language improves reading scores in English as well as mental flexibility, creativity and high level thinking.
  4. To give greater job flexibility. Government agencies and private businesses are in need of qualified speakers of other languages. A Princeton University study shows that competency in a foreign language is one of the five top skills needed in today's job market.
  5. University admission and graduation. Most colleges and universities desire foreign language study for admission and require study of a foreign language for graduation. Continued foreign language study is seen as the best, most consistent, predictor of college success. The Utah regents scholarship requires that students have a minimum of two years of foreign language. 
  6. High College board scores. Foreign language study has a significant effect on verbal ability in the native language. High school foreign language students perform significantly better on the SAT verbal and the scores increase with each half year of foreign language study. Students of lower socioeconomic background who studied a foreign language performed on par with more affluent peers.

All students should study a foreign language. It is clear that students can improve their cultural horizons and improve their thinking skills as well as their standardized test scores by the study of a foreign language

These six elements will be included within each Unit, then are necessary skills for successfully learning a secondary language.
I.    Listening
II    Reading
III.  Person-to-Person Interaction
IV.  Speaking
V.   Writing
VI.  Culture

Curriculum Calendar

Current Unit

The Current Unit tab on the right will be updated periodically to reflect the current unit being studied in Spanish I Past and future units are available at the bottom of the page.

Spanish I Units

Information for Parents & Students

Disclosure Document Survey 
Parents & Students please take the Disclosure Document survey by clicking on the survey icon, on the left.  Once completed students will receive an additional late pass.  Students may receive one additional late pass, should their parent(s) choose the take the survey as well.  Parents who take the online survey are not required to sign and turn in the completed hard copy of the Disclosure Document.  Plan on at least 30 minutes to adequately complete the survey.

Make a Donation to Improve your Spanish I Experience
Alpine Foundation: 
The Alpine Foundation is a tax deductible foundation that allows you to help with special projects in your son/daughter’s classroom.  
Money donated will be used to pay for:  1) Printing student workbooks ($5000.00 annually) 2) Purchasing texts and _class copies of historical novels, 3) Upkeep and replacement of classroom computer labs.   Make a donation by clinking on the "Donate Now!" link on the left.  On arrival at the Alpine Foundation page scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "DONATE" button on the bottom right hand corner of the page.  After  submitting your credit card, bank or paypal information you will be asked to review your donation.  BE SURE TO IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE of your donation, i.e. Willowcreek:  Mrs Cindy Ness, U.S. History;   otherwise the instructor will be unable to access these funds to help your student in the classroom.

Text Messages & Email Reminders

Your Instructor: Mrs. Ness

Picture
I love teaching Spanish; in fact I have been teaching Spanish for almost 3 decades, far longer than most of my students have been alive.  I am currently teaching U.S and A.C.A.D History and Spanish I at Willowcreek Middle School.  In addition I am an instructor at BYU and an adjunct professor at Weber State University.  I am passionate about teaching a viable, standards based World Language curriculum. My hope is to facilitate students in better understanding the world and their role in it. I look forward to assisting you in coming to understand the Spanish Speaking World and learning to communicate in Spanish.