Buenos Días Amigos !
September, 2007
¡ Buenos días amigos !
Welcome to Foundations of Spanish 7 ! This year you’ll be learning to understand, speak, read and write another language - which will be like playing an instrument or learning any skill that takes daily practice. If you pay attention, participate, and keep up with your studies, you should have no trouble doing well. You must be ready to study every night for a minimum of 15 minutes (Study Hall is not a good time to do Spanish). Most homework will be written, but you’ll need to review and memorize too, and speak Spanish at home - you’ll always have something to do.
My webpage links to home assignments, our syllabus, class & grading policies and many other resources (http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/TuckahoeMS/shelhorse_c/shelhorse.index.html) - you may want to visit tonight and click on “Homework Assignments”. If you fall behind, come to me quickly to set up a schedule for extra help, or to practice with our computer reviews.
Here’s what you’ll need specifically for our class:
v a 70-page 1-subject spiral notebook (8.5”x11”) for in class practice and drills ($1.00 from our bookstore, but available everywhere)
v headphones
v a looseleaf binder (2"ring is perfect, 3" is too big) with sections for grammar/culture notes, vocabulary, and homework and - it will be collected and graded periodically;
v a odorless dry-erase marker (dark color like black, blue, red) + an old sock to use as an eraser,
v a pencil with eraser, a blue or black pen, a red pen;
v 3x5" index cards and some binder “rings”
v your text “REALIDADES” will stay home (it’s brand new, so be sure it’s properly cared for)
Starting today, everything you do will be graded - oral participation/performance - individual and cooperative (10-15%), listening (10-15%), classwork (5-10%), homework (5-10%), quizzes (20-25%), tests (25-30%), and projects (5-10%). Daily quizzes will last about 10 minutes, and unit tests will take about half a block period (after grading they will be taken home to be signed and returned to your class folder). There is also a mid-term and a final exam which count 20% of their semester. You must bring your laptop to class daily (with the charger in case you forget to charge it at night).
Remember, I’m here to help you learn Spanish, and about the people who speak it. After all, you may one day find yourself in a Spanish-speaking situation, or decide to travel with me to Spain in the 8th grade! I want you to enjoy this class (as I do), and I expect you to be willing to work (because a high school credit is waiting at the end of next year). From the very first day we’ll be using Spanish, and although you may struggle at first, if you try you’ll soon be doing just fine!
Be sure to write the phone numbers of at least two “buddies” in your agenda book, so you can call for an update if you’re absent. Then put this letter in your binder to help you recall what I’ve asked you to do ... and be sure to take it home and go over it with your parents.
¡ Muchas gracias !
Señora Shelhorse
my email =
Student signature
Signature(s) of Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
Buddy #1 name & phone #
Buddy #2 name & phone #
Action Plan Ideas for Learning Spanish
1. Attend school every day because language learning is a skill - you learn more by classroom practice than by written work done at home.
2. Study nightly and in short amounts (a 2 hour cram really doesn’t last).
3. Copy by hand new vocabulary - you’ll be practicing spelling and accents.
4. Make and use flashcards - for vocabulary study, verb practice, almost everything! Remember, knowing a vocabulary item = its meaning, spelling, gender, and pronunciation.
5. Ask questions immediately in class before it’s too late, or you forget.
6. Pay attention in class. Don’t write when the class is working on oral drills or conversations.
7. Maintain a good notebook, and use it to review.
8. Constantly review old subject matter - learning a language is like building a wall ... a weak foundation will not support what’s on top.
9. Listen to the teacher and imitate her pronunciation with care.
10. Learn to take notes, practice listening and paying attention.
11. Picture new vocabulary words in your mind, understand the meaning in Spanish, not in English.
12. Keep up with assignments - have an area in your notebook to list them.
13. Concentrate on the verb - it is the center of the sentence.
14. Visit the SHARE folder for grammar notes and practice exercises.
15. Keep notes on mistakes you’ve made on written work, and master the correct structures - make corrections for tests, quizzes and home/class exercises.
16. Practice on GarageBand, iTunes or on cassettes in order to hear yourself (record your homework).
17. Demonstrate pride in speaking - don’t settle for sloppy sounds.
18. Do not try to translate from one language to the other word for word.
19. Develop a respect for differences - in people and language sounds.
20. Don’t be embarrassed by making new sounds, have fun with pronunciation - try speaking English with the sounds of the language you’re trying to learn. Develop an adventurous attitude about exploring the unknown.
21. Try to imitate the Spanish intonation and rhythm (the “song” of Spanish).
22. Learn to sing in your new language.
23. Practice your new language with family or friends - you be their teacher.
24. Always speak and write using what you’ve learned and what you know.
25. Read selections aloud (maybe to your Teddy Bear) even written exercises.