OLEs (OUTSIDE LEARNING EXPERIENCEs)

In order to enhance and reinforce students' knowledge of events and opportunities related to the Spanish language and the culture of the Spanish-speaking world within our daily lives, we have incorporated the OLE component into our grading process. Projects that don't meet the given criteria will not be awarded credit, and only quality work will be awarded the maximum credit. Please see the rubric for more grading details.

Students in levels I-IV are required to do one OLE per semester. Middle School Spanish I will complete 1 OLE per year. The online links contain ideas for projects -- Notice Spanish and culture around you! If you are studying about a Hispanic theme in another class, see where it may be used as an OLE. Students may also develop their own ideas to submit for teacher approval. ¡OJO! OLEs may be completed ahead of time, but please be sure to meet with your teacher to ensure that your experience meets department guidelines. ¡Buena Suerte!!

Guidelines for OLEs:

1. It is anticipated that these projects will be carried out individually. Students may watch the same movie, or go out to eat together, BUT EACH STUDENT MUST FILL OUT HIS/HER OWN REFLECTION FORM SEPARATELY with INDIVIDUAL (NOT COPIED) ANSWERS. If a student feels that the proposed project is dependent on being done with other people, please see us for approval by approval date above (failure to do so will result in no credit being awarded).
2. For each project, there are forms to be completed by the student. The reflection forms are available on-line. These forms should be printed off before the project is started to insure all criteria are met.
3. Students may not repeat the same activity at any time during their Spanish career. Keep track of which projects you’ve done by saving your rubrics in the Conocimiento Cultural section of your portfolio.
4. Projects are to be completed on time for credit to be awarded. All projects must have pre-approval by the dates assigned. ALL OLE APPROVALS ARE SUBJECT TO TEACHER DISCRETION.
5. OLEs are to be handed in on the SPECIFIED date for credit. NO CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR LATE WORK. Since this is a long-term project, students who are absent on the day cultural experiences are due must turn in their projects immediately upon their return.
6. Spanish used on the OLE should be representative of your own work. You may NOT use a translator.
7. Brazil is NOT a Spanish-speaking country!
8. After the pre-approval date, students are NOT permitted to change the OLE that has been chosen for that quarter without special permission from the instructor. Unapproved changes will result in a minimum of a 20% reduction of the achieved grade.
9. Spanish IV students must complete their OLE worksheets in Spanish.

Please remember that the focus here is on the Culture, not necessarily the language. Please take this into consideration when choosing your cultural experience.