By the time USL students are ready for Spanish Two, they are generally in the eighth grade and have already taken two years of Spanish here at USL – 1A and 1B - equivalent to one year of high school Spanish. In this course, students and teacher will communicate 90% of the time in Spanish – using English only if absolutely necessary. The textbook has English explanations and translations. Thus, there is no worry about a student not understanding. If (s)he feels unsure, (s)he is welcome to record each class and listen to it again at home, using their text onlineas a backup. When they finish Spanish Two successfully, students will enter high school with two credits.
Humanities - Cycle 1 is an interdisciplinary course involving history, English, grammar, art, current events, and more. We will examine America from pre-history to the Civil War. These areas will be the starting point for the other topics we touch upon.
Spanish 1B begins with a review that refreshes the language skills that the students have already learned with plenty of reading and writing practice. Our guiding text, Capitulo Puente, links the two courses that comprise Spanish I together. As in 1A, 1B uses technological resources to promote learning and is a continuation of the vocabulary, grammar, speaking and writing of 1A.
Spanish 1A introduces students to the Spanish-speaking world with a balance of grammar and vocabulary in every lesson. There are reviews before major assessments. Students are expected to use the language in conversation and use technology to show their proficiency.
Leadership & Life Skills is a class for all students that integrates the lessons in the other disciplines together for the students. Guest speakers, student job shadow days, and field experiences (Learning Outside the Classroom) originate in L&L in collaboration with the teachers in the other disciplines, and students regularly create and share reflections about what they have learned.
