Dear Spanish 4 Students and Parents:
This course of study will expand your knowledge of grammar and syntax which will enable you to communicate more easily and more effectively. We will complete an Art History unit on the art of Spain as well as read an abridged version of Don Quixote de la Mancha. We will also watch the movie version of the Broadway Play Man of La Mancha based on the novel. As each unit contains a number of vocabulary words and new verbs, it is important that you continue to be committed to daily oral practice and vocabulary review in addition to any homework assignments. Throughout the year we will also be watching a video series entitled Destinos. This video series is designed for the foreign language classroom to help students improve their listening and speaking skills in Spanish. Students will be responsible for assignments related to this series, and each will be worth a minor grade.
All daily assignments for Spanish 4 will be posted on Google Classroom. My weekly lesson plans can be found on the Google Classroom tab under the Announcements/Weekly Planner Topic or on my website.
Students will need to bring their CHARGED Chromebook to class each day! Students will need a three-ring binder notebook with loose leaf paper for notes and class materials.
Assessments reflect and mirror performance-based activities taking place in the classroom on a daily basis. These assessments allow students to demonstrate what they know and can do in Spanish, showing their progress toward increased language proficiency in multiple ways using real-world tasks. Percentages are: Homework/Classwork, Class Participation and Quizzes count 40% and Tests and Projects count 60% of a students quarter grade. Each semester exam will count 10% of the semester grade.
Late Work Policy is as follows:
In all Spanish 4 Honors courses, students have up to ONE WEEK to turn a minor assignment in late. Once the assignment is late (i.e. not turned in during the period at the time it is collected), the student can up to 90% credit the following day, decreasing by 10% more each day it is late. After five days, no credit can be earned.
In all Spanish 4 Honors courses, once a major assignment is late, (i.e. not turned in during the period at the time it is collected), the student can earn up to 90% credit the following day, decreasing by 10% more each day it is late. After the fifth day late, the assignment cannot earn higher than 50% , but may be turned in until the end of the quarter.
Class participation is of utmost importance in a language class. By actively participating you will become more involved and the class will become more interesting-and learning seems easier! The assessments will require you to speak the language, so it is critical that students take every opportunity to practice.
The following rules will be observed in this class:
1. Be in class every day and ON TIME. Attendance is crucial to your success. Remember that credit can be denied if a student has more than 5 unexcused absences in this class. Parent notes count as one of the 5 absences, so be sure to get a note from the doctor or dentist if it is a medical absence. These notes must be turned in within 2 days of the absence. This applies to early dismissals too. You should be seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared with the necessary materials every day: computer, handouts, notebook, paper, pen or pencils.
3. Sharpen pencils before class begins.
4. No gum, candy, etc. allowed
5. Be respectful to others. If everyone follows the Golden Rule, we will have a great year!
6. All rules in the GHS handbook will be observed.
7. Cell phones are only to be used in class when the BYOD sign is "On". The BYOD sign is located in the front of the classroom.
8. Chromebooks are to be brought class everyday. Students are responsible for charging their Chromebooks before class.
9. Sleeping in class is not permitted.
Parent involvement is crucial to student success. I want to hear from you! Parent-teacher communication is very important, as students who are struggling need to be identified quickly. Please call the school at 355-5592, or contact me at sltaylor@greenville.k12.sc.us and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you would like for me to contact you through e-mail, please write your address below.
I am looking forward to an exciting year!
Sincerely,
Susan Taylor
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