Spanish 3 ∙ Señor Schmidt
senorschmidt.com ∙
Spanish 1,2, and 3 are the equivalent of a 2-year introductory Spanish language program typical of the university level. Spanish 2 is the middle year of the beginning level series of classes. Students continue to attain a basic proficiency of the Spanish language, which they will build on in Spanish 3 and AP Spanish Language. Students will speak, hear, read and write the Spanish language every day, as well as have fun experiencing the culture.
Materials: Students are expected to bring the following to class every day:
1.A three ring binder to hold all handouts and notes. Everyday!
2.Writing instrument (2 pens and a pencil) – no sharpies!
3.red pen
4.highlighter
Students will be expected to speak Spanish almost exclusively in class. Even though it is difficult and frustrating at times, English is generally not allowed in the classroom. Speaking English will seriously hinder your education in this class. It is not fair to other students as it hinders their education as well.
Attendance: Be here everyday! You have eight minutes for passing period. Don’t ask me everyday to go to the bathroom. It is important to be in class on time, the whole period, and ready to learn. Don’t be late. If you are absent on a test day, you will be expected to make up the test in class upon your return.
Homework: Homework may be assigned everyday, even on weekends. Be ready. It is due the following day, or the next day you are at school. It is to be completed at the end of the homework packet unless otherwise indicated. You will receive half credit on the homework packet if it is a day late, and zero credit after that.
Make-up exams: Retakes are available for grammar quizzes and for speaking quizzes. There are grammar quizzes and speaking quizzes once a chapter. In order to retake a grammar quiz, students must first complete a review activity which I will assign after each quiz.
Website: Students are expected to use my class website as a resource for class. The address is senorschmidt.com.The website has study tools, important documents, and much more good information and resources. Also, be sure to always check the twitter feed!
Passing Grades: Students must earn a grade of C or higher in order to proceed to the next level. If the student gets a D, it means that the student does not understand the material and is not ready to continue to the next semester.
Attaining fluency in Spanish requires about 900 hours of active study and practice. Students should expect to study and practice the language for a minimum of 20 minutes a day. Use the tools on the website and study your flashcards. Laziness will hurt your grade very badly. It is hard work, but with practice you will do well in this class.
I hope that this year will be great and that you grow as a student. Please read this paper with your parent or guardian, sign and return it to Señor Schmidt.
Parent/Guardian Signature ______Student Signature ______
TLDR – Show up, be prepared, be respectful, be responsible, do your best, have fun!
Tareas (homework) / participation – 15% – All work will be completed in the homework packet (paquete de tareas) and will be collected at the end of each chapter, generally every three weeks.
Speaking – 12.5% – Each chapter students will be given review questions to practice.
Towards the end of the chapter each student will be asked a question or several questions that are based on the vocabulary and grammar for the chapter. If a student is not satisfied with the initial speaking grade, they have one week from the day of speaking to do a makeup to try raise the grade. Makeup speaking assignment are to be done by appointment at break, lunch, or after school.
Vocabulary Quizzes – 12.5% – In each chapter there will be a vocabulary quiz. Students will have a word bank and a series of sentences with blanks. The student will need to put the correct word in each blank. Sometimes the word will need to be modified in order to fit correctly into the blank.
Grammar Quizzes – (12.5%) – These quizzes will be taken with the vocab quiz towards the end of the second week of each chapter. The assessment will include basic grammar drills based on the goals of each chapter and will be similar in style to the grammar practice activities in the homework packet.
Chapter Exams – 37.5% - The chapter exams will occur at the end of the chapter and will consist of three different types of assessment; reading (12.5%), writing (12.5%), listening (12.5%).
Final Exam – 10% – The final consists of a 100 point oral proficiency interview, reading and listening multiple choice, and a writing prompt.