Student Expectations and Procedures, Fall 2023

A teacher has control over what  they will teach.  A student has control over what they will learn.

(changing language keyboard help:  click here for doc)

• Participation

Spanish I is a course designed to introduce students to basic Spanish concepts and cultures.  Students will listen, read, write, and speak in Spanish while learning grammar and vocabulary.

Spanish I is a participation class.  All students should be willing to practice their Spanish out loud on a daily basis!  If you don't practice in class and on your own time, you will not do well in a foreign language.  This type of class requires some practice on your own as homework, just like participation in a sport or band requires practicing drills for your best performance. 

• Attendance

--Your attendance every day is crucial.  You will miss a lot if you are absent!   Absent or quarantined students should check their Google Classroom site to find assignments that they missed.  

--Assignments and notes can always be found under the Google Classroom "Classwork" tab all semester.  

--Notes and Quizlet flashcards are also repeated on the "STREAM" tab  to make sure that you don't miss any information.   Review these on your own as regular homework if your goal is to do your best.

• Assignment Expectations

If there is homework, it will usually be turned in on paper on Friday.  That means students will have all week to finish their assignments if the work didn't get done in class.  A student who is absent be able to turn in the assignment electronically or turn in assignments when they come back to class.  This gives everyone plenty of time to get the work done. 

• ABSENT STUDENTS:

--Students who are absent can still keep up on assignments (if you are not too sick). You will get too far behind if you don't keep up with your lessons.  

 --You will be able to see all of the notes that you need and all homework will be available in Google Classroom.  Contact me and your other teachers right away so we can help you stay current with your learning!  

• Late work policy

--Lates are not usually accepted.  Daily work that is due on Friday has had plenty of time to get finished  so there is no reason for work to be late.  

HOW TO FIX LATE DAILY WORK:       ("I forgot" or "I didn't see it" are not acceptable reasons for lates.  Work is always posted electronically for all students to make sure that it is accessible. ) 

--Email the teacher if you would like to fill out a "Request to Submit Late-work"  form.  Be sure to let me know when you are done filling out the form.

--Absent/make-up work will not be accepted for a unit once that unit assessment has been given unless there is an illness that I will work around.      The unit is considered closed once the DCA has been given.  No make-up work is accepted after the DCA.

--A project will be accepted for 50% late credit if it is one day late.  After one day late the project WILL NOT be accepted.

• Re-take Policy

Quizzes-check with me to see what you need to redo to prepare for the quiz.  Missing daily work must be made up before any retakes.  Quiz retakes must be done before the current unit's DCA.  Email the teacher for a "request to retake" form.

Chapter DCAs:  Due to the logistics of keeping DCAs secure online, retakes will be handled on a case-by-case basis.   DCA retakes have to be taken before the next chapter's DCA.  YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE THE CHAPTER STUDY GUIDE BEFORE YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE DCA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RETAKE.  Email me to get a "request for retake" form.

**NO DCAs CAN BE RETAKEN IF THE STUDY GUIDE WASN'T COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE TEST.** 

• Technology:

You will need earbuds for some activities in class and at home. Make sure that you have your own pair THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR CHROMEBOOK-- they will be needed in class!

Phones need to be put away--SCHOOL POLICY   Students will struggle in a foreign-language class if they are distracted by checking their phones.  After the first warning you will need to put the phone in the wall holder for the remainder of the class, as well as the next class period and office referrals will be written.

What to Expect from Me   /  Teacher contact

• My plan is to have the gradebook updated in a timely manner.

I will usually have grades updated during the current week.  Late work grades always take longer to grade and record; current assignments will have priority.  

• Parent and student contact:

Contacting me through email is the best way to reach me.  

I will send out brief weekly emails every Thursday or Friday -- please make sure that your Parentlink information is current!  (Those emails will repeat information that is on this site or in Google Classroom.)  Those emails will also have reminders about major DCAs or projects.  Please feel free to contact me if your student is struggling and needs extra help or encouragement. 

Emails and voicemails will be answered within 2 school days. 

--To allow for family time and extra work obligations, I will usually not be able to answer student emails after 4:00 on school days.

--I might not see emails on Saturdays or Sundays due to family obligations.

Academic Dishonesty and Google Translate

• DO NOT USE GOOGLE TRANSLATE OR ANY OTHER TRANSLATING SERVICE AT ALL.  (This includes your Spanish-speaking  family or friends.)

• I can tell when Google Translate is used based on grammar, syntax, and vocabulary!

• Keep in mind that you are a LANGUAGE LEARNER: I want to see what you KNOW, not what you can COPY!

• I will NEVER assign something that requires vocabulary or grammar you do not know. 

• Work that is either translated or is not original to the student will be subject to  ZERO points and will NOT be allowed to be resubmitted.