Thomas Jefferson High School

Federal Way Public Schools Course Syllabus

2016-2017

Class: Spanish 1 Periods: 2 & 5

Teacher Name/Room Number: Ms. Kailey Harem, G-1

Communication: Phone 253-945-5665

Email (Google Docs only please)

Course Summary/Goals: This course provides students with the skills to meet International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme expectations and district expectations in World Language.

Instructional Materials/Textbooks Used:

·  Required: student planner, pens, pencils, a spiral notebook/composition book, and a section of the binder to organize Spanish handouts.

·  Helpful items: Colored pencils, highlighters, correcting pens, scissors, USB flash drive.

·  Our Realidades textbook is used in class. Students will create an interactive notebook that will serve as their personalized textbook.

·  Computers are available for student use on directed activities. Students must have parent/ guardian sign a technology permission form. All student use on the computers is monitored.

Classroom Expectations:

Students at Thomas Jefferson High School will take pride in their efforts and will put these guidelines into action each day.

*Be responsible *Cooperate with others

*Make an honest effort *Respect the rights and property of others

*Participate in class activities *Respect the teacher’s electronics policy

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP)

This is an IB MYP class. The goal of the IB MYP program is to provide a balanced, rigorous program that provides all students with the ability to be successful in further academic studies. MYP has four major assessment criteria in TJHS World Languages, and rubrics for each will be used to assess student work:

A.  Comprehending spoken and visual text

B.  Comprehending written and visual text

C.  Communicating in response to spoken and/or written and/or visual text

D.  Using language in spoken and/or written form

Assessments:

·  Performance-based activities such as conversations, dialogs, skits, presentations

·  Written activities such as notebook checks, journal entries, letters, blogs, emails

·  Written assessments including verb forms, structures, and vocabulary

·  Listening activities to show comprehension

·  Reading activities to show comprehension of authentic language

Homework Procedures/Expectations:

·  Spend 15 minutes reviewing classroom notes by writing Cornell Notes summaries, Cornell Questions, or creating flashcards from your notes.

·  Finish any assignments started in class including any long-term projects

·  Prepare for upcoming assessments

Grading Procedures:

The Federal Way Grading System:

·  Each course has a set of learning standards (priority standards). These can be accessed on the FWPS website (http://www.fwps.net/teaching/sbe/staff/priority-standards/6-12/)

·  Individual assignments are linked to one or more priority standards, and the score for that assignment will be averaged with all other assignment scores in that priority standard, resulting in an overall score for that standard.

·  The class grade is the result of the average of all priority standard scores.

·  Please check your child’s grade frequently using the district app or ParentVue.

·  You may need to contact the counseling office to get the password for your student ()

Thomas Jefferson High School Grading System:

MYP Scale and Rubrics: In the gradebook, students will be graded on a 1-8 as follows:

1 = Missing work

2 = Skills are still developing

3-4 = Nearly Proficient

5-6 = Proficient

7-8 = Highly Proficient.

Priority Standards are the major concepts and skills that will be taught in the class. Class grade barriers are as follows: A = 8.0-6.6, B = 6.5-4.6, C = 4.5-3.0, F = 2.99-0.0. The teacher will determine a student’s level of proficiency for each learning target using an MYP rubric to give students more specific feedback and to be in compliance with the MYP program.

Due dates and meeting due dates are an important part of student learning. The teacher will provide students with due dates well in advance of work to be submitted.

There are situations beyond a student’s control that prevent them from meeting the deadlines provided. Students should communicate as soon as possible to arrange ways they can successfully complete work and show their competency. Emailing is a very good way to do this!

Reassessment Policy:

·  TJHS students will have multiple opportunities to achieve mastery of a Priority Standard. This includes re-taking portions of tests (Policy 2420P), recognizing that students learn at different rates and times.

·  Students are guaranteed at least two attempts for each priority standard

Reassessments fall into two categories: Multiple Opportunities or Retakes.

Multiple Opportunities: Teachers will communicate when a particular standard will be assessed again as part of the curriculum. These “multiple opportunities”, as defined by the teacher, are offered to all students as part of the designed curriculum. Students need to show no extra readiness to participate. Given the nature of language courses, these opportunities may be in or out of class.

Retake Policy:

·  Retakes will be worth the same score as the original assessment or assignment. Any assignment given for practice or completion will not be used to determine a student’s grade, but can be entered into the grade book for communication.

·  Retakes and late work will not be accepted after the unit has been completed.

·  The teacher may also institute deadlines for specific assignments or reassessments.

Formula for Success:

1.  Arrive on time, prepared

2.  Utilize the goals of the IB Learner Profile - Approach your classes with a growth mindset. The learning is the most important element. Take pride in your own work, acknowledge when you have fallen short of your capabilities, and learn from your errors.

3.  Students take responsibility for their learning by:

·  Bringing Planner to class daily

·  Completing daily work on time

·  Check in on ManageBac

·  Communicate with teacher and parents about class information and needs, especially in cases of absences.

·  Check grades regularly on StudentVue

Attendance and Tardies:

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. When students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.

Attendance is key to student success. Your child is less likely to succeed if he/she is chronically absent or late (excused or unexcused). Chronic absence is defined as more than 8 absences a year. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Students are expected to be in class when the bell rings. After an absence, students must follow up with the teacher about missed work.

How to get help:

The Library at TJ will be open after school Mondays through Thursdays from 2:15 to 4:00 for students to work on homework or projects. Tutors and staff are available during this time. An activity bus is available to take students home at 4:00 on these afternoons.

Academic Integrity:

At TJ, academic integrity is a guiding principle in all classes. Students must be diligent in protecting their academic reputation and avoiding all forms of plagiarism, academic misconduct, collusion, and cheating. With regards to World Language, any electronic or human translator is considered plagiarism.

Discipline:

District policies apply. Each student is accountable for his/her own actions. To be successful, each student must treat others in a respectful manner. When a student does not uphold the rules, there will be a fair and clear process to resolve the situation. The student, teacher, administrator and parent will work together to resolve the situation and assign consequences as needed.

Revised September 2017

TJHS Family/Staff

Academic Plan 2016-2017

Signature & Communication Form

Class: Spanish 1 Period: ______

Teacher: Harem

Please return this page with the following information to the teacher listed above:

My child learns best when: (optional)

My child’s greatest strength is…

COMMUNICATION:

Parent/Guardian Name: / ______
Email Address: / ______
Preferred Phone #: / ______Preferred language of phone call: ______
______
Parent/Guardian Name: / ______
Email Address: / ______
Preferred Phone #: / ______Preferred language of phone call: ______

INTERNET ACCESS

Does your student have daily and reliable Internet access for schoolwork purposes (checking assignments, doing research, accessing online textbooks)? Please circle one.

YES / LIMITED / NO

We have read and understand this invitation to learn as described in the attached Academic Plan. Our signatures show that we are setting a course for success in this class.

Student Name (please print) ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______Date ______

Please keep the Course Syllabus for future reference and return this page to the teacher.

Thomas Jefferson High School

Federal Way Public Schools Course Syllabus