Spanish I, Semester I; Saludos
Sections:

Introduction  |  Section 1  |  Section 2  |  Section 3   |  Dictionaries

Introduction

Mexico City

The Zócalo, or city square of Mexico City is the second largest city square in the world, second only to Moscow's city square. The colonial church in the background is the Catedral Metropolitana and was built from stones that were once Aztec structures. To the far right, is the National Palace, where the government offices are and in which are housed several very well known murals of Mexican artist, Diego Rivera. This area of Mexico City was the heart of the Aztec capital city called Tenochtitlán. It was in this area, in the 1970s, that construction workers unearthed the Templo Mayor of the Aztec civilization, and excavations are still being done in this and many other areas of Mexico.

Welcome to ¡Saludos!
Each unit in this course is divided into three sections. Each section will contain material that will build upon material that was presented in the previous section. It will be very important for you to work consistently and in order as you begin to build your skills in Spanish, beginning right here, with the first unit.

If you have not read the Getting Started section, go and do that now.

In ¡Saludos! you will learn to:

  1. introduce yourself to someone and ask their name
  2. ask how someone is
  3. ask where someone lives
  4. inquire some basic information of others in real conversations
  5. recognize and recite the Spanish alphabet
  6. spell words verbally using the Spanish alphabet
  7. use appropriate basic vocabulary for greeting people at different times of day
  8. choose a farewell appropriate in various situations
  9. begin to learn about the complex nature of language
  10. investigate the Hispanic culture and how it differs from ours with regard to talking to an individual
  11. begin to realize the contributions that Hispanics have made to our world

Benchmarks/Content Standards/Objectives:

  • TSW demonstrate through appropriate responses an understanding of written and spoken language, as expressed by speakers of the target language in both formal and informal settings (CM-1-E1)
  • TSW request, acknowledge, and supply clarification in a variety of settings (CM-2-E2)
  • TSW use age appropriate greetings, gestures, and introductions to exchange essential information (CM-2-E7)
  • TSW use and compare the sound systems of the target and native languages (CP-1-E5)
  • TSW use cognates and false cognates appropriately (CP-1-E2)
  • TSW compare meanings of words, idioms, and/or vocal inflection of the target and native language (CP-1-E3)
  • TSW identify and compare the perspectives and practices of the target culture with those of the native culture (CP-2-E1)
  • TSW demonstrate through appropriate responses an understanding of written and spoken language, as expressed by speakers of the target language in both formal and informal settings (CM-1-E1)
  • TSW identify and react to cultural perspectives and practices in the culture studied, such as greetings, leave-takings, and common social interactions (CL-1-B1)
  • TSW demonstrate an awareness of a variety of ways to express ideas (CP-1-B7)
  • TSW identify positive and negative generalizations about the cultural studied (CL-1-B2) 

 

Icon Symbols
As you work, you will see icon symbols that identify the kind of activity you are doing. Check them here, Look at an explanation here.

 

¡¡Acentos!!
Writing in Spanish requires the use of accent marks that are not used in English. These are called acentos or tildes in Spanish. These spelling marks or accent marks over vowels are part of the actual spelling of the word and should be included at all times if the word requires it. How are you going to learn which words need an accent? For now, just memorize the word with its accent mark. You will need to make these accent marks when you turn in written assignments to your teacher. There is an explanation in the Course Home section, and it is repeated here. Learn how to make accent marks here.

Unit Vocabulary
All the vocabulary in this unit relates to the general theme of meeting people and getting to know them. Click on the two links below to see and hear all of the vocabulary and sentences you will learn here. As you go through the unit, return to this from time to time to practice this vocabulary.

 

Culture Focus
This unit will feature several cultural activites or simply items of interest related to Mexico. These include general items of interest. One particular focus is the Mexican Revolution of 1910, especially to the work of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa.

Unit Activities
Below is a list of the various activities in the unit. Though no activities should be skipped, the activities that are listed here are for a grade in the course and the point values are in red.

  1. Section 1, Part B, Speaking Alphabet Assignment: 20 points
  2. Section 1, Part F, Writing Assignment: 10 points
  3. Section 1, Part G, Writing Assignment: Dialog 20 points
  4. Section 1 Quiz: 34 points
  5. Section 2, Part C, Discussion Board, Introducing yourself to classmates: 10 points
  6. Section 2 Quiz: 30 points
  7. Section 3, Part A, TPR 3A Quiz: 9 points
  8. Section 3, Part C, Speaking La Cucaracha: 10 bonus points
  9. Section 3, Part D: Pancho Villa Questions: 16 points
  10. Section 3 Quiz: 19 points
  11. ¡Saludos! Unit Exam: 28 points
  12. ¡Saludos! Listening Exam: 14 points
  13. ¡Saludos! Listening Exam: 32 points
  14. ¡Saludos! Feedback: 10 bonus points

Total points: 242 points

Unit 1 Assignment Checklist

 UNIT 1- SALUDOS CHECKLIST                          Printer Friendly Checklist
ASSIGNMENTS COMPLETED?/GRADE
1. Section 1, Part B, Speaking Assignment: 20 points  
2. Section 1, Part F, Writing Assignment: 10 points  
3. Section 1, Part G, Writing Assignment: 20 points  
4. Section 1 Quiz: 34 points  
5. Section 2, Part C, Discussion Board: 10 points  
6. Section 2 Quiz: 30 points   
7. Section 3, Part A, TPR 3A Quiz: 9 points  
8. Section 3, Part C, Speaking: 10 bonus points  
9. Section 3, Part D: Pancho Villa Questions: 16 points  
10. Section 3 Quiz: 19 points  
11. ˇSaludos! Unit Exam: 28 points  
12. ˇSaludos! Listening Exam: 14 points  
  13. ˇSaludos! Writing Exam: 32 points  
  14. ˇSaludos! Feedback: 10 bonus points  
Total Points: 242

You should keep in mind that during the course of this unit, ¡Saludos!, you should spend time doing the following daily in ¡Saludos!:

  1. Vocabulary activities, just drilling vocabulary (flashcards), at least 15 minutes daily.
  2. Practicing the alphabet in Spanish

In ¡Saludos! you will also spend time throughout the unit learning to:

  1. Make accent marks
  2. Spell in Spanish
  3. Write Discussion activities
  4. Understand differences in cultural practices

Let's get started.
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