COURSE DESCRIPTION – SPANISH – AUGUST 2011

CLASS RULE

We will respect our materials, our classroom, and each other at all times.

GRADES & PROGRESS REPORTS

Grades will be computed using weighted categories. Each nine-week grading period, a progress report will be send home around the mid-point. It should be signed by a parent/guardian and returned for a grade. The progress report is the only assignment I will accept late with no penalty.

Tests & Quizzes (Written & Speaking) / 50% / Nine Weeks’ Test / 20%
Classwork, Homework, Participation / 30%

PARTICIPATION

During the nine week grading period you will receive one or more participation grade based on the following criteria:

·  Class attendance / ·  Active/willing participation
·  Having necessary materials each day / ·  Cooperation (with me and classmates)

ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP WORK

Obtaining, completing, and turning in missed work is your responsibility. After an absence, you should check the class notebook on the front table to see what you missed. If there was a handout, you will find a copy with your name on it in your class folder.

For an excused absence, I will accept make-up work up to ONE WEEK after the date it was originally assigned. This includes make-up tests. Usually, make-up tests must be taken after school or outside of class by appointment. Also be aware that scoring for make-up tests is different; partial credit will not be given.

I will accept late work up to ONE WEEK after it was originally assigned. The maximum score on late work is 80%. No work will be accepted

There is no “extra credit” in my class! However, if you score lower than 70% on a chapter test you may re-take it on the designated re-test day ONLY. The maximum score on any test re-take is 80% and partial credit will not be given. If you do not have any zeros at the end of the grading period, I will drop your lowest test score.

NECESSARY SUPPLIES

Below is a list of the items you will need. If you have any concerns about purchasing these supplies, please see me privately and we’ll work something out. Checks for the workbook should be made out to NHS Spanish Club.

·  a three-ring binder / ·  red pens / ·  a Spanish/English dictionary
·  loose leaf paper / ·  a composition notebook / ·  a workbook ($10)
·  tab dividers (5 minimum)

ON-LINE & OTHER HELP

Our textbook provides online support at PHSchoolcom. This site offers many tools that you may find helpful (flashcards, practice quizzes, etc.). Class PowerPoints and vocabulary flashcards may be downloaded from my teacher section of the school website. I have extra card stock and for anyone who would like to print his or her flashcards on heavy paper.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY

Learning another language builds much like math. You cannot learn something new until you have actually learned the basic concept it is built upon. Much, if not all, of this material will be new to you. Therefore, you should EXPECT to study and to complete assignments OUTSIDE of class regularly! Simply memorizing short-term and not “learning” what we do will cause you many, many problems as we go along. Don’t get behind! If you have trouble, see me for more help!

MY E-MAIL AND PHONE NUMBER

You may write to me at or the NHS website. My home number is 553-1442 if you have urgent questions or concerns. If I’m not home, please leave a message and I will return your call if I return before 9:00 PM.

CLASSROOM DONATION

We have not yet received state classroom funds this year. Please consider a cash donation (in any amount) to be used toward copies. Donations of copy paper, Expo markers, tissues, hand sanitizer, liquid glue, glue sticks, markers, crayons, colored pencils, post-it notes, and any other general classroom supplies would also be very much appreciated.

COURSE DESCRIPTION – SPANISH – AUGUST 2011

CHEATING POLICY

Cheating will not be tolerated in this class. Below are activities that I consider cheating. There may be other activities not listed that I might also consider cheating.

◙ / Asking to copy (or copying) someone else’s classwork or homework.
◙ / Allowing someone to copy your classwork or homework.
◙ / Asking for or giving answers (not explanation/help) while working in groups.
◙ / Looking at another person’s paper while completing listening activities.
◙ / Changing answers on your or someone else’s paper while it is being checked.
◙ / Filling in answers (for credit) while checking your or someone else’s paper.
◙ / Looking at another person’s paper during a test or quiz.
◙ / Asking or telling someone in another class for details about “the test” (or quiz).
◙ / Using an online translator to complete an assignment. (*Dictionaries are fine.)

If you engage in these activities may face any combination of the following consequences.

◙ / No Credit (Zero)
◙ / Break Detention
◙ / Office/ Counselor Referral
◙ / Parent Conference

Cheating causes the score you earn to mean less and be worth less than it should. Helping someone cheat means your good score is no longer as valuable. If pervasive enough, eventually the scores could become meaningless and be discounted altogether. Most importantly, you CHEAT yourself out of an opportunity to LEARN!

Spanish 1 & 2 August 2011