¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español con la Señora Smith!

Welcome to Spanish Class with Mrs. Smith!

Expectations

            Order:  * Be on time and take your seat when the bell rings.

                             Remain in your seat during lessons.

                          * Raise your hand to contribute to class. Don’t shout out.

                          * Wait to be dismissed. We may be wrapping things up

                            when the bell rings.

            Respect:  * Treat everyone the way you’d like to be treated.

                              * No name calling or put-downs.

                              *  Use appropriate language and tone of voice when speaking.

                              *  If you make a mistake, apologize and move on.

            Success:  * Come to class prepared to learn with all necessary materials.

                               (See supply list below.)

                             * Be an active listener by following directions the first time through.

                             * Be an active participant by getting involved.

                               You can’t learn a language without trying it!

Gum chewing is not allowed on campus, therefore not allowed in room 110!

(See page 16 of the student handbook.)

Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviors

Students will always be warned if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.

After that warning a student may be:    

                                            removed from the group

                                            issued a detention

                                            asked to phone a parent to discuss the behavior

                                            referred to the administration

Suggested Supplies

Pencil or pen (standard ink only), red correcting pen, a single subject spiral (30 pages is best) not to be shared with other classes, 3x5 index cards, and a section in your binder just for Spanish

You may need the following at home to complete assignments:  colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors.

An English/Spanish dictionary is optional.

***Please see back side for classroom and grading procedures.***

Classroom Procedures and Grading

Each class period usually consists of a warm-up activity, homework check, lesson and/or activity, and exit task.  Students will learn routines for each of these as the school year progresses.

Homework is given every day though it is not always a written assignment. Students can benefit from practicing the pronunciation of new words, memorizing vocabulary, and reviewing prior vocabulary and grammar points.  Spanish should be routinely studied each night.

Homework should be completed prior to coming to class and is due at the beginning of the period.  Answers are checked, discussed, and used as practice, therefore late work is not accepted except in cases of excused absences. “Gone a day, get a day” is my motto for make up work. For each day absent, a student gets a day to make up work missed.  After that, the work is considered late and no credit will be given.

*** It is the student’s responsibility to check our class calendar for missed work,

either in class or online.***

Assessments are given in each of the four areas of language acquisition: reading, writing, oral language, and listening comprehension.  Quizzes and tests are given on a regular basis to measure growth in each of these four areas. Good attendance is extremely important in a language class, but in the event a student misses a quiz or test a make up time will be offered weekly.

Retakes are NOT available, please prepare ahead of time.

Extra credit is rarely given. Please do not ask for additional work to boost your grade at the last minute.  If you do your personal best on the tasks required and keep on top of things, you shouldn’t need extra credit.

Homework, assessments, and class participation are each 1/3 of your student’s quarter grade.  Students are graded on a point system which is converted to the grading scale shown below:

A         100 - 90%

B            89 - 80%
C            79 - 70%
D           69 - 60%

F            59 -  0%

I ask that all students participate in a respectful and appropriate manner.  Every student’s complete cooperation is expected in order for everyone to benefit from our class time together.  Feel free to contact me with concerns or questions regarding the Spanish program or your child’s progress at 472-2710, or by e-mail at  jjsmith@mpsaz.org.  Also, refer to my web page on Stapley’s website at www.mpsaz.org/stapley.  It features course descriptions, assignment calendars, online grade reports, links to our textbook, and Spanish Club information.

I am looking forward to another fantastic year with Stapley students and their families!

Mrs. Jennifer Smith

Spanish I & II