Syllabus

BRENDETTE GILLETTE

brendette.gillettebevilacqua@jeffcoschools.k12.co.us

(303) 982-3213

Course Description

In this course, there is a continuing emphasis on the development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. The textbook contains exercises, graded readings, opportunities for conversation, varied exercises in grammar, listening comprehension activities and cultural notes. 

Curriculum used:

Realidades 1 and 2 textbook

Recommended materials: Chromebook and notebook (physical or digital)

          Notebook and folder

  Meet link

Students in Spanish will be expected to speak in Spanish and not in English (unless directed by Profesora Gillette). Circumlocution will be used daily.  This is an excellent tool for communicating.  If you don’t know a word in Spanish, describe it in Spanish and the listener can suggest the word.

Ej. Es una bebida blanca = la leche

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Course Goals/Objectives

Communication is at the heart of language study.  Studying a language broadens one’s understanding of the world and other cultures.  It enables students to participate in multilingual and multicultural communities at social and professional levels.  It also can enhance a student’s performance across the curriculum.  That said, it requires many years of practice to become fluent in a second (or third) language.  In Spanish 1 and 2, students will continue to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and will further their understanding of the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. 

Assessments:

Students will be assessed formally, (summative assessments) and informally, (formative assessments)  through a variety of means to include quizzes, tests and projects.  These assessments will measure language learning in speaking, writing, listening and reading. Performance assessments are conducted routinely and are rated using rubrics developed by foreign language teachers.  

General Tardy Policy

Steps per Class once a student arrives at Carmody

• First Tardy - teacher and student will engage in a conversation to identify supports and a warning will be issued; teacher will record tardy. 

• Second Tardy - teacher and student will engage in a second conversation to reinforce supports and the teacher will make a phone call or email to the student’s guardian to identify if further supports are needed; teacher will record the cumulative tardy.

• Third & Fourth Tardy - teacher records tardy and refers student to main office; student will engage in conversations to identify root cause and potential solutions, lunch detention will be assigned.

• Fifth Tardy - teacher records cumulative tardy and refers student to admin; student will be assigned a long-term lunch restriction which will be terminated upon student demonstration of consistent (2 weeks) on-time behavior to all classes. Administrators will hold conversations. 

Habitual Tardy Policy 

If a student has continuous tardies and has not responded to prior interventions, school staff will partner with families to schedule a support meeting to identify further interventions/support that may be needed. Families will be expected to attend this support meeting in person.

*Note: ongoing, habitual tardiness is considered defiance and a safety issue and may result in an OSS

Homework:

It is recommended that students practice Spanish daily in order to build a solid foundation for future lessons.  In order to accomplish this objective, homework may be assigned at the end of each class period.  It will be the student’s responsibility to record the assignments and complete them.  If you have been absent, you will know the assignment that has been missed.  

Class Participation:

Class participation in the target language is a key component in practicing your communication skills, which are essential in language proficiency.  Participation involves more than just raising your hand.  Students have to be attentive, participate in partner activities, speak the target language formally and informally, and come to class prepared.

Grading:

Standards-Based Grading at Carmody Middle School

Carmody uses a Standards-Based Grading system as opposed to a traditional points based percentage system to communicate and measure students’ progress and growth toward meeting Colorado Academic Standards as well as 21st Century work habits.

Why Standards-Based Grading?

• The purpose of standards-based grading is to raise academic achievement by providing students with clear, specific feedback on their growth toward the mastery of content and grade-level standards.  Standards-Based Grading provides greater clarity and insight into the areas a student needs to improve in order to master course content.  Standards-Based Grading has also been shown to significantly boost achievement and motivation for students.  Student work habits, classroom behaviors and other activities are reported separately from academic performance.

What is Standards-Based Grading?

• Standards-Based Grading is a defined scale that communicates a student’s progress in meeting the learning goal/objectives for their grade as determined by state and district standards.  

Grading:

The percentages for grades are listed below: 

         Assessments (Summative and formative) 65%

        Engagement/ Participation 35%

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Grading Scale:

Grades are earned, not given.  Points are earned as outlined above.  I do not grade on a curve, nor do I provide extra credit. I do not round up.  Grades are cumulative on a semester basis. 

 A=90-100%,

 B=80-89%,

 C=70-79%, 

 D=60-69%,

 F=below 60%.  

Grades can be viewed at any time via the Parent Portal. 

Make-up Work:

Absences - Absent students have two calendar days for every day absent to make up all work missed for full credit. 

¡OJO!  Tardies – Simply make every effort to avoid them.  On the third unexcused tardy, parents will be contacted. You also will lose one participation point from your weekly participation grade for every tardy.

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Class Rules:

1. No tardiness - You must be in your seat when the bell rings.  Otherwise, you will lose  points from your weekly participation grade. 

2. Respect the teacher and fellow students

3. Conduct yourself in a respectful manner

4. Nuisance Items (Ipods, Cell phones, calculators, etc.) are not to be seen in the classroom.

5. Water is allowed in the classroom.

6. Have fun, and add to an enjoyable atmosphere

Extra Help:

Students who are having difficulty or may require further assistants need to make an appointment with me to discuss meeting their needs for a successful year in Spanish. Spanish is fully cumulative, so if you don’t understand something early on, it will continue to come up and you’ll fall farther and farther behind. Here are some ways to get extra help.

1. First, you can ALWAYS email me. I will respond as quickly as possible, but never more than 24      hours. 

2. Come see me (before and after school daily).

Student printed name                                                                 Student signature:  

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Date:  

Parent printed name                                                         Parent signature:

____________________________________ ________________________________________

Telephones are not allowed to be used in class and I want  to do everything possible to immerse your child in the Spanish language and culture.  That being said, I expect telephones to be off during class and placed in the student’s backpack.