Español 2007-8

Spanish Department--Victoria

Expectations and Class Room Norms

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

¡Bienvenidos a mi clase! I am thrilled to b e your Spanish teacher and am looking forward to a fun and productive year. Here are some helpful hints and expectations for my class. Please read them, as well as the attached curriculum outline and report card that explain the content and assessments for the first trimester.

Organization of “El Cuaderno” (Spanish Binder): Students are required to get and always bring to class a 3-ringed binder exclusively for Spanish. Because there is no “official” textbook for this class, your binder will be the main source from which you study, and will be a valuable tool for up to six years at Compass. Upon introduction to new language and concepts, students will receive a colored, three hole punched reference sheet. These reference sheets (called “hojas principales” and always colored) will be the main study guides for quizzes, tests, and exams. Parents/ guardians can always follow along by asking about the most current study sheet. Students are expected to keep handouts that are three-hole punched, and to maintain an organized binder. Students will be evaluated on their ability to keep an organized notebook, usually as they take quizzes and the final exam. Some may have their own strategies to organize the binder, but I suggest dividing your cuaderno into three sections:

Section #1 Study sheets (Hojas principales)
Section#2 Practice sheets and daily homework (Práctica)
Section #3 Blank Paper (Papel)

What happens if I miss a day of school?

It is your responsibility as the student to find out what happened in class and get missed notes, hand- outs, and homework assignments. To get missed handouts, look in the “Were you absent binder?” Your name will be on any missed handouts with the date you were absent. In most cases, you will have one day for each day missed to make up homework. Please check in with me if you have questions or concerns when you are absent.

Target Language Use and Participation Points:

√ +=3 points √ =2 points √- = 1 pt 0= points

It is critical to take advantage of every opportunity to listen and practice speaking in Spanish during class and to demonstrate full involvement during both group and individual activities.. In lower levels (Introduction and Division I), students are expected to speak Spanish during specific activities and are encouraged to use Spanish whenever they can. At Division II and higher, Spanish is the working language of the classroom and students are expected to use it all the time. Students will be assessed for participation every class (check critical thinking section of report card.)

Respect and Behavior

The success of the class largely depends on how comfortable students feel practicing the language in front of the rest of the class. We will all make mistakes. So let’s keep it positive by supporting each other by being respectful in language, actions, and attitudes and by being prepared for class. If a student is compromising the quality of the learning environment with unacceptable behavior, s/he will receive a 0 for their participation grade that day, and be asked to leave and sit on the stage next to my class. Parent(s)/Guardians will be notified. If this becomes a pattern, an S.S.T meeting will be scheduled with at least your advisor, parent(s), and me.

Quizzes and Final Trimester Exam

Students will have several small quizzes, either written or oral, during a given unit. A Final will also be given at the end of each trimester that will cover all the material from the trimester. Unless you have an I.E.P. which suggests otherwise, quizzes and exams will be taken in the classroom (never the big room), and there is no talking allowed while taking them.

Daily Homework Policy

Homework will be given almost every night and may be written or oral. Coming to class prepared is important for your own learning and ability to participate in the class. Because daily homework is an important part of the next day’s class activity, late work will not be accepted unless you have a prior arrangement with me. Failure to do your homework will not only drop your Homework grade (refer to report card), but can also lower your class participation grade as well. On time work is not work that needs to be e-mailed to me, or that needs to be printed out. It is work that is ready to be worked with at the beginning of class. If you have a problem with completing an assignment, talk to me as soon as possible. Take responsibility and communicate with me.

Communication Assessments

Along with daily homework and quizzes, there will be a variety of larger assignments called Communication Assessments (especially as you get into the higher levels) including skits, presentations, memorizations, compositions, readings, and art that will cover speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. These will give you the opportunity to apply the material we cover, and USE it to communicate in Spanish. Some assignments will be done alone, or in groups. They are a great opportunity to challenge yourself to meet your own desired level of the language. Late communication assessments will result in a grade drop—one half of a grade for every day late. (Ex. Good drops to good/fair).

Where do I put the graded work I get back?

Graded work can be stored in my classroom in Spanish work folders for each student individually. Students will need this work to do a self assessment reflection on their learning, and to retrieve this work for their end of the year portfolios.

Using Translators and Computer Use:

When using translators or translation systems, students should limit themselves to vocabulary and isolated phrasing only—as you would use a dictionary. It is easy for me to tell who is plugging in entire texts in the translators. Don’t do it. It will not be acceptable. Using work that is not your own is plagiarism. If you have any questions about what is acceptable or not, please ask! If you want to take notes on your computer in class, please ask before. It is essential to use class time to develop communication skills with others. The computer will be used occasionally for research and outside of class. Generally, there will be no need for laptops in class.

(Please detach this page after reading from packet to hand in to Victoria) J

Thank you for acknowledging receipt of this letter with your signature. If you (student o parent) have any comments or questions about what you’ve read, or about the Spanish department in general, please write on the space provided below or email me any time at Victoria@compass-school.org.

Sincerely,

Victoria Roberts

Student Signature ___________________________

Mom, Dad, or Guardian Signature ________________________

Comments?