Syllabus and Contact Information
Course Expectations for
1C/2C Year Spanish 2023-2024
Mr. George
Granite Hills High School
Email: stgeorge@guhsd.net
School Number: (619) 593-5500 (35639)
Room: 141
ACADEMIC PLAN
Course Content:
This course provides the experiences necessary for developing basic functional skills in Spanish. The emphasis is on student-centered, communicative activities incorporating the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing while developing cultural and global awareness. This course focuses on the target language including relevant skills necessary for basic communication in Spanish. Students will be expected to use Spanish (Including speaking. listening, reading, and writing) during the school year and will be graded and given credit for participation in the target language. Please click here for specific routines for daily activities and procedures before moving on to the course requirements.
Course Requirements:
1. Textbook Online: ¡Así se Dice Level 1 and 2!
2. Notebook for Spanish: Notes, warm-up exercises, and writing
3. Active daily class participation (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Cultural)
4. Class Work: Assignments to reinforce oral activities and test preparation
5. Homework: Usually assigned Monday through Thursday (digital and written assignments)
6. Quizzes: formative assessments
7. Tests: summative skills based test at the end of each unit
8. Collaborative and individual projects
9. Final Exam
Required Materials to be Brought to Class Daily:
1. Three-ring binder with a specific section for Spanish or organized Spanish folder for handouts
2. Fully charged chromebook and headphones for listening activities
3. Spiral notebook for taking notes and written activities
4. At least two pens (black or blue) and two sharpened pencils
5. Participation stamp sheet (every two weeks)
6. Password to book website, Google drive,and other online apps given by the teacher
7. Filled out two week homework calendars with proper headings and dates (every two weeks)
Proper Heading & Procedure for Papers in this Class
Use the correct heading: Name, Period, Date, and Assignment in the upper right hand corner.
Use smooth-edged notebook paper for assignments.
Use blue or black pen, #2 pencil, word processor, or type.
Your work should always be neat and legible.
Methods of Evaluation Used in this Class:
Grading Policy:
In this class, students will be graded primarily (80%) on one thing: what they know and can demonstrate.
Only 20% of the grade will be for assessment preparation activities such as: completion of in class practice assignments, participation in the target language, and homework
There is no extra credit offered in the course.
Unit Practice and formative assessments will all be graded and logged in Infinite Campus for the student, teacher, and parent/guardian to see.
The grade will be based 80% on the skills and knowledge demonstrated on summative and formative assessments (Unit tests and projects (one per unit)) and formative assessments (quizzez and mini presentations).The grade of record for students is always posted through Infinite Campus and will include only 2 categories: 1) Assessments (unit tests, Projects, and quizzez) 2) assessment preparation (everything else)
It is essential that ALL students complete ALL assessments, regardless of absences or attendance issues.
If absent on the day of a test, students must reschedule the assessment with the teacher and may have to take an alternate version of the assessment.
Assessment Retakes:
Students may retake summative assessments until they are satisfied with the knowledge they have demonstrated, though they will be given different versions of the assessment up to three times per semester.
In order to retake an assessment, students must complete and submit the retake procedure for the unit. This procedure requires students to complete and check listed practice assignments and formative assessments for that unit and have it checked off with the teacher.
Retakes take place at lunch, by appointment only..
Retakes do not include summative unit projects.
Grades reflect mastery of standard and skill. This class will be graded with rubrics using minimal grading strategies. All formative and summative assessments which include final exams, unit tests, quizzes, projects, and presentations will be graded using a 0 to 4 grading scale. Weight will be determined by the individual assessment All practice activities such as homework assignments and in class participation activities will be given a 0 or 4 for completion or no completion. No half credit will be given for partially complete assignments. A zero in the gradebook will be the equivalent of 40% to maximize student success rates in the course.
Grading Scale:
Feedback and grades for Formative and Summative assessments will be provided clearly with rubrics using a 0-4 skills based grading scale. All other practice activities and homework will be graded upon completion and accuracy using the 0-4 scale. Please see below example rubrics for mastery based summative assessments such as projects and presentations. Presentational and Interpersonal Speaking Rubric. Interpretive Listening and Reading Rubric
-A 0 can be given if there is insufficient evidence to score the skill being evaluated (i.e. missing or incomplete/ not completed in a way that demonstrates evidence of learning).
-Grades will NOT be rounded up or down.
-The grade you get is the grade you EARN. For example, if the student earned a 69.9, the report card will show a D.
Academic grades will be based on the total number of points, distributed in the following categories:
a) Practice activities(HW,PTC) 20%
b) Formative and Summative Assessments 80%
Late Assignments: Please see Online weekly Folder and monthly calendar located on Schoology when absent. You are responsible for looking up missing work and lessons! Homework not submitted on time can be made up by appointment during lunch. Please get any homework stamped at the beginning of the period the following day for if absent. All projects, tests, and quizzes will be given one week to complete make-up. Make- up will be held Wednesday at lunch in room 141. Students will need to complete retake assignments before taking unit exams if not completed in the allotted time period given. (Please see procedures for retake of unit exams and late homework.)
Procedure for Make-Up Work: Homework is assigned daily. Students are responsible for turning in all work on time. All assignments must be obtained prior to any PLANNED ABSENCE (this includes field trips, athletic events, vacations, etc.) and are due the first day back from the absence! In case of extended illness, assignments can be obtained by calling the guidance office. All assignments, tests, and quizzes must be made up in the number of days absent (if legally absent three days, the student has three school days to turn in all work missed. It is the student’s responsibility to get missing assignments, handouts and notes and all make up class and homework within a timely fashion.. If you need handouts, have questions on what you missed or need a grade printout, please see me before class, during lunch, or at break. Please see Schoology In Class Slides for lessons on the previous day. All extra handouts will also be located in the cubby at the back of the room. In class participation in all the activities is essential for skills mastery in the target language! Wednesdays are make-up days for tests, quizzes, and oral presentations. Please see Schoology for monthly calendars and In Class Notes. (Please see procedures for Spanish-only participation grades.)
CHEATING: Any student caught cheating on an assignment, quiz, or test will be given a ZERO grade and will automatically be referred to the Assistant Principal for a parent contact as well as possible disciplinary action. Any student caught plagiarizing or having access to a stolen exam may be subject to removal from class with a FAILING grade.
GRADES: During the semester, progress reports are issued at six-week intervals, and the final report card is mailed home at the end of each semester. Grades will be posted online every few weeks. Please see me A.S.A.P. if there is a grade discrepancy.
Classroom discipline plan
Classroom Behavioral Expectations:
Be early.
Be positive with a good attitude.
Be a doer.
Be prepared.
Be a risk taker.
Be polite and willing to help.
Be an active listener.
Remember THE CODE of Respect, Responsibility, and Pride toward yourself, your teachers, and your peers.
SPECIFIC CLASS RULES:
Respect: Respect other students and teachers point of view, belongings, and time. Raise your hand for permission to speak. No cut downs,profanity, or negative remarks. Keep things positive! Doodle on paper NOT desks!
Responsibility: Follow directions the first time. Keep cell phones and ear buds away. Be engaged in all activities for optimal positive vibes and learning. Be in your seat with materials ready when the class starts!
Pride: Clean up the mess around your desk and classroom. Keep food and cockroaches away by eating and drinking outside. Make trash and recycling materials feel at home by using the designated trash cans.
Cell Phone Policy:
In accordance with the cell phone policy of Granite Hills High School, cell phones and headphones/earbuds are not to be used OR VISIBLE during class time, without verbal permission from the teacher. Cell phone cubbies are provided for student phones during the class period.
If a cell phone is visible during class time, the student will turn in to the office and be picked up by the student at the end of the school day, on the first offense.
Upon a second offense, the phone must be picked up by a parent or guardian.
Subsequent offenses will result in further consequences from the office including loss of privilege.
POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES:
1. Optimum learning/highest possible grade
2. Verbal praise/home contact
3. Outstanding citizenship mark
4. Student and class rewards (Bathroom Passes and Raffle Opportunities)
5. Learning Spanish
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES:
1st Offense: Verbal warning and Think Sheet depending on the infraction. Cell phones/ ipods not in the pocket will be sent to the office with a note for the day for safekeeping.(See cell phone and electronic device policy.)
2nd Offense: System referral, assigned lunch detention, and or call home depending on the infraction.
3rd Offense: Office referral and meeting with V.P.
Serious infractions of school or class rules will be dealt with immediately and may bypass the normal chain of consequences. Cell phones/ ipods not in the pocket will be sent to the office with a note for the day for safekeeping.
Tardiness: When you are tardy, you disrupt the learning process for other students. A student will be considered tardy to my class if he/she is not in his/her assigned seat when the final tardy bell rings. If you are tardy, you will miss the daily warm up and or quiz and will be reflected in your citizenship grade! at the beginning of the period and Please see the student handbook for tardy policy!
To the Parents:
This information sheet is to help you know the expectations and requirements that I have for all students.
This is not the only information your child will need. Listening to directions, taking notes during mini-lessons, asking questions for understanding, completing homework, participating in activities, studying at home, and working cooperatively with others as a team are critical to your child’s success. Please check Infinite Campus for updates on grades and upcoming assignments. The class Schoology is the primary resource for students and parents on upcoming assignments and online calendars.
You can help your child by asking them about assignments throughout the week. Check your child’s daily planner & monthly calendar for clarification. Your child will always be able to bring the material home that is necessary in order to do the assignment (i.e. notes taken in class or a handout). Students will almost always need to complete assignments at home. Please contact me by email at any time at stgeorge@guhsd.net.