CLASS EXPECTATIONS
Personal responsibility
Respect
Integrity
Determination
Excellence
1. At the bell to start class, all students must be in the room and ready to begin. All classes will follow the LSE policy for cell phones, MP3 players, ID tags and planners. BEFORE entering F-229, you need to turn off AND put away ALL electronic devices. THESE ITEMS MUST BE TURNED OFF AND KEPT OUT OF SIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS.
NOTE: Out of sight…out of sound…even if the bell has not rung to begin class!
2. Attendance: All classes will follow the LSE policy for attendance and unexcused absences.
3. Bring all materials to class. This includes the covered text, ¡Avancemos!, pen (blue or black ink) or pencil, paper, notebook and any handout used or handed out in class. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the notebook current and organized. A Spanish/English dictionary is HIGHLY recommended.
4. After an absence: It is the student’s responsibility to check señora’s website (http://wp.lps.org/gwand) and/or the “La lección y la tarea de ayer” notebook in the classroom, to read through the day’s lesson, to gather any handouts from Sra. and to complete ALL missing work (hw, quiz, test, speaking points, etc.). If you have any additional questions, SEE SRA. PROMPTLY. This may mean that you might have to come in for additional assistance before or after school.
5. Be prepared for class! Late work will NOT be accepted for credit without a homework pass. Be sure you you keep your 5 passes (for the semester) in a safe place. These are your only passes that you will have for the entire semester.
6. STUDY DAILY!! Fifteen to twenty minutes of study or practice is necessary every night even if no specific homework has been given. Flashcards are great for studying. Always let me know if you need extra help or explanations as I may not be aware that you are having difficulties. Keep up with the class!!!
7. No passes! Please use the restroom and drinking fountain before class. In case you do need to use the restroom during class time, Sra. will sign your planner but at the discretion of Sra., you might need to spend 15 minutes after school.
8. Please leave food and beverages (exception: water) somewhere else.
9. Your report card grade will reflect the following weighted categories:
20%…Formative 80%…Summative
NOTE: There will be a final exam at the end of each semester.
August 2015
USE OF SPANISH IN THE CLASSROOM
Use of Spanish in the classroom:
In addition to written assignments, you are expected to speak Spanish in the classroom as much as possible! Of course, you’ll make mistakes; that is how language proficiency is developed. Expect some frustration, especially at first, because you still need to increase your vocabulary and develop your ability to express yourself. Be a risk taker ! Daily practice is the only way to make progress towards your goal of communicating in a meaningful way with others.
SO HOW WILL YOUR ORAL COMMUNICATION GRADE BE DETERMINED?
1. For a 5 day week, you are expected to earn 10 speaking points (Average of 2 per day) at the Spanish 4 level. Some days you might have 4 points, some days 1, other days, 0. By the end of the week, however, you should have 10 (Or more!). If the week is a 4 day week, then the points are pro-rated (ie, 8 speaking points).
2. If you do not have enough points for the week, then it is YOUR responsibility to come in after school to make up the points. Remember however, that you can only earn a maximum of 5 points per week in this manner. For example, if you have 2 points and need 10 for the week, the maximum you could have for that week is 7 if you come in after school to make up points. The exception for this is if you are absent 3 or more days during a week. If this happens, you can still make up the 10 speaking points by coming in after school.
3. For you to earn 5 speaking points after school, you can:
•speak with Sra. for 5 minutes (Be sure to get your name on Sra.’s calendar!) OR
•speak with another Spanish 4 (or 5) student for 10 minutes OR
•speak with 2 other Spanish 4 (or 5) students for 15 minutes
4. You can make up previous weeks of speaking points (Remember…a maximum of 5 points per week!) until the end of the quarter. YOU WILL NEED TO USE A HW PASS IN ORDER TO MAKE UP POINTS FOR THE CURRENT WEEK OR FROM A PREVIOUS WEEK! Be sure to check the “Puntos de Hablar” notebook in the classroom for your previous weeks of speaking points. The tally of speaking points for the current week will be attached to your class folder on Sra.’s podium.
You CAN do this!!! Answer questions in class…Participate in class discussions or debates…Speak to your friends in Spanish…Speak to Sra. in Spanish…Create your own opportunities to practice the language.
A FINAL NOTE
You have the above information to give you specific, concrete ways to earn the best grade you can, but you should be speaking Spanish the entire class period every day. Take advantage of every opportunity to better your speaking skills!
SPEAKING POINTS WILL CARRY A WEIGHT OF “3” IN THE FORMATIVE CATEGORY.
FORMAL PRONUNCIATION ASSESSMENT GRADING SCALE
This will be used during the course of the semester when you will individually read a short passage to Sra.
50/50 = 0 to 1 error with NO vowel errors
45/50 = 2-3 errors or 0-1 vowel error
40/50 = 4 errors or 1-2 vowel errors (use of some English phonics)
35/50 = 5 errors or 3-4 vowel errors (frequent use of English phonics)
30/50 = 6+ errors or 5+ vowel errors (might use English phonics most of the time)
August 2015