Capital High School – Spanish I – Señor Parker – 2011-2012 School Year

However, I do realize that many of you may just be here to earn an elective credit for high school (note:  this course is not required for graduation). Or maybe you’re here to complete two years to get into a four-year university. If it does turn out that Spanish just isn’t your thing, don’t forget that you’re also going to learn important life skills. Even if you never speak a word of Spanish after you leave my class, you’ll still learn how to give a presentation in front of a group of people, work with others, take notes, use resources, study, prepare for tests, be organized, show respect, give your best effort, be responsible, meet deadlines, build relationships, problem-solve, develop a good work ethic, and manage your time. Those skills will help you to be successful for anything you choose to do in life…whatever your passions may be!

Being graded can be scary. But relax, you have all the power because I don’t give grades – you earn them. So, earn yourself a good one! You’ll need it, because at least two consecutive years of the same foreign language are required for most four-year universities (and three or four years look even better).

Grading scales                  86.5% – 89.4%    B+         76.5% – 79.4%     C+          66.5% – 69.4%    D+

92.5%                  A         82.5% – 86.4%    B           72.5% – 76.4%     C            59.5% – 66.4%    D

89.5% – 92.4%    A-       79.5% – 82.4%    B-          69.5% – 72.4%     C-          0% – 59.4%         F

• Tests/quizzes – 55%. Throughout the semester you’ll have a number of written and verbal tests and quizzes. You need to work hard in class every day to master the material for this course, as the grammar and vocabulary are cumulative, so these won’t be the kinds of tests you can cram for the night before. The good news is if you work hard in class and do your homework, you may not even need to study for a test. If you are absent for a significant amount of time and aren’t ready for a test, you must check with me ahead of time in order to have a bit more time and not take your test with the rest of the class. In addition, at the end of each semester there will be a cumulative final covering everything that you have learned. The end goal is for you to retain as much Spanish as possible for the long-term, so keep that in mind as you work, practice, and study throughout the year. “Cramming” will not be possible for success in Spanish. You must put in the time to “master” what you need to know.

• Homework – 15%. Homework assignments will vary in type and value. Since we’re going to spend as much time as we can in class speaking, most of your homework will be written practice. If you are absent, it is your job to find out what you missed from my website or a classmate before/after school, and then turn in that work in a timely fashion (a few days from when you return, unless otherwise specified by me). Homework is important, as you need the notes, as well as practice outside of class.

• Class participation – 15%. Every two weeks you will earn a participation grade for your performance on the following:

• Preparation for Class – You bring all materials (text, notebook, writing utensil) to class every day. You are well-organized and ready to work at bell. You rarely need to take trips out of class, and when you do it is only for a very short time. If you do miss class, you always come before or after school to catch up and make up what you missed. You come to attention quickly and transition smoothly between activities.

• Listening/Attentiveness – You actively listen while others are speaking. You speak in quiet tones in class to help maintain a calm work environment. You do not interrupt, but rather raise your hand to speak. You can follow directions without having to ask others in English. You show respect for your classmates, teacher, and school. You follow along while going over class work.

• Language Use – You stay in Spanish the entire class period. You initiate conversations in Spanish with your classmates and teacher as much as possible. You respond to your classmates and teachers in Spanish. You attempt longer, more complex answers. You attempt humor and creativity with your Spanish.

• Work Habits – You are always on-task during individual, pair and group activities. You always work in a positive and productive manner. You do not demonstrative disruptive behavior. You work without being reminded by the teacher. You complete class activities in a timely manner.

• Quality of Participation – You always work hard to produce Spanish with a native accent. You raise your hand often in class and volunteer to contribute to the class. You offer ideas that contribute positively to the class and ask questions. You consistently use correct verb conjugation, grammar, and word choice. When you do make mistakes, you frequently self-correct. You assist others when needed. Your presence makes a positive impact on learning.

• Presentations/projects – 15%. Throughout the semester you’ll have a number of fun and different projects and presentations. Many (if not all) will require you to memorize what you will be saying in Spanish, although I may allow some notes in English to remind you of what to say. I expect appropriate, high-quality work during your performances.

Of course, all the rules from the student handbook apply in our class as well. However, I would like to point out a few important rules and consequences just to make sure we’re all on the same page.

• Rule #1) – I miss you when you’re not here! So, don’t be late to class. If you’re late, you’ll lose some of your participation points for the day. I know traffic in the halls can get backed up, so you can have three free tardies per semester, but you’ll get a detention for every tardy after that.  

• Rule #2) – I’m jealous of your toys! I don’t own a cell phone, a hand-held video game, or a cool iPod. So, before class starts please put away your mp3 players, cell phones, video games, headphones, homework for other classes, or other distractions. Plan to turn them off and put them away before the bell rings.

1st offense = taken until end of the day

2nd offense = taken until end of the day, detention

3rd offense + = taken until a parent comes to pick it up

• Rule #3) – I love your pretty eyes! So, when it’s time to come to attention or transition between activities, please give me your eyes and your ears. In our class we are going to do a lot of different activities, many of which involve lots of conversations going on at once. You and your peers will need to work as a group to help each other quickly and politely come to attention and transition smoothly between those activities. If you can’t come to attention quickly, a reflection form, detention, ISS, parent conference, and/or a referral may be needed.

• Rule #4) – We’ve got work to do! Our goal each day is to make the most out of class time working and learning. Anyone not contributing to the class in a positive and productive way will lose participation points. If the off-task behavior continues, a reflection form, detention, ISS, parent conference, and/or a referral may be needed.

• Rule #5) – R-E-S-P-E-C-T! This probably goes without saying, but try to respect the school, each other, and yourselves. Do the right thing. Make good choices. Be positive. Let’s all try to get along, help each other learn a lot, do the best we can do, and have a great year! If you are not showing respect, a reflection form, detention, ISS, parent conference, and/or a referral may be needed.

Well, that’s about it. I think we’re going to have an awesome year. If at any time you need help, have questions about class, or just need to talk, I’m here for you. See me before/after school, email me, leave me a voicemail, catch me in the hall, etc. I’m your teacher, I care about you, and I want to see you do great things!  