Class Expectations
Classroom Expectations for Spanish 1B
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
¡Bienvenidos a mi clase! I am thrilled to be 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.
The 3 P’s: Prompt, Prepared, and Participating:
In order for us to create a positive and productive learning environment students need to commit to the 3Ps. Being prompt is, hopefully, self-explanatory. Prepared includes coming to class with your homework, your binder and something to write with. And participating involves being actively engaged in what is going on in class.
Target Language Use and Participation Points:
√ ++= Outstanding √ += Excellent √ =Good √- = Fair 0= Not Acceptable
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.
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 the 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.
Organization of “El Cuaderno” (Spanish Binder): You are required to get and always bring to class a 3-ringed binder exclusively for Spanish. Because there is no 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, you will receive a colored, three-hole-punched reference sheet. These reference sheets (called “hojas principales”) 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. You are expected to keep handouts, and to maintain an organized binder. Some of you may have your own strategies to organize the binder, but I suggest dividing your cuaderno into four sections:
1. Section #1 Study sheets (Hojas principales)
2. Section#2 Practice sheets and daily homework (Práctica)
3. Section #3 El Archivo (Archive of quizzes, and assignments)
4. Section #4 Notas (Blank paper for taking notes in class)
What happens if I miss a day of school?
It is your responsibility to find out what happened in class and get missed notes, hand- outs, and homework assignments. To get a copy of a missed handout, 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. The homework will also be posted on my Web site (once it is up and running).
My homework philosophy:
Learning a language requires lots of practice and repetition. In order to remember what we go over in class you need to work on Spanish in between class times. I don’t believe in homework for the sake of keeping you busy; I know you have lives outside of school. The homework I assign is to help you stay on top of what we are learning. Whether it’s a grammar worksheet, a creative assignment or studying for a quiz, my hope is that it will keep you engaged in learning Spanish but not bog you down in busy-work.
Daily homework policy
Coming to class prepared is important for your own learning and ability to participate in the class to keep the class moving forward. 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, 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 at the beginning of class. If you have a problem with completing an assignment, talk to me as soon as possible. If I’m not in school, you can email Elissa@compass-school.org. Both daily homework and larger projects (described below) will be posted on my website (as soon as it gets up and running!). Make sure to write your assignment down before you leave class. It is meant to be a back up since technology does not always work!
Communication Assessments
Along with daily homework and quizzes, there will be a variety of larger assignments/projects called Communication Assessments (especially as you get into the higher levels) including performances, 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).
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.
Can I re-take quizzes if I’m not happy with my grade?
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, students can not retake quizzes, BUT you can re-submit a fully corrected quiz for extra credit. I understand that sometimes we all have “off days” so at the end of the trimester I will drop your lowest quiz grade.
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 (www.SpanishDict.com is a good site). 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.
¡Vamos a aprender Español!
Spanish Learning Contract
Please sign (and have your parents/guardians sign to show they have read the course expectations sheet) and return to Elissa on Monday.
This is what I agree to as your Spanish teacher:
• To do my best to teach Spanish in a fun, interesting and engaging way.
• To structure homework that will be productive, interesting, and helpful to you.
• To listen compassionately and grant homework extensions when they are truly needed in order for you to do your best.
• To be open to your suggestions and feedback regarding the class.
• To help you outside of class if you need extra Spanish support.
• To speak Spanish in class as much as possible.
Teacher Signature _______________________________
This is what you agree to as a student:
• To respect yourself, peers, and teacher (yo!).
• To be Prompt, Prepared and Participating in class.
• To strive to do your personal best.
• To ask questions and seek extra help when you are confused.
• To take responsibility for your education and find out about work you miss when you are absent.
• To speak Spanish in class as much as possible.
Student Signature ___________________________
Mom, Dad, or Guardian Signature ________________________
Thank you for acknowledging receipt of this letter with your signature. If you (student or 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 at Elissa@compass-school.org.
Comments, concerns, or suggestions?