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Poway High School September 2003 World Language Department Spanish 3-4 and Spanish Honors 3-4 Dear Students and Parents,I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the new school year. I am pleased to be your student's Spanish teacher this semester .
Learning Spanish should be seen as more than just a fulfillment of a college requirement. Knowledge of Spanish, especially in this part of the country could one-day open opportunities for jobs or advancement that would otherwise not be available. Graduates are more "employable" with the knowledge of a second language.
My approach to teaching Spanish during the first and second year is one not only of drill and repetition (which aids in the learning of essential vocabulary and grammar), but also a conversational approach in which students are encouraged to reach a certain level of proficiency in the target language, specifically listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will learn Spanish with the same progression of skills they used when they were learning their native language as toddlers. They will listen to new vocabulary first and then be encouraged to repeat and speak. Next will come the opportunity to see the written word or read it and finally the opportunity to participate in written activities. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish whenever possible, regardless of errors. The most important goal at this level is to communicate as effectively as possible. No one is perfect. If they were, they would be in a higher level. Remember...PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS !!!!!!
A. Goals and ObjectivesTo develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills appropriate for the Spanish 3-4 and Honors 3-4 curriculum
To develop communicative activities enabling students to speak Spanish in "real life" situations.
To help students become familiar with the culture and customs of the Spanish speaking world.
To help students become more organized and responsible for their work and to establish better teacher-parent communication.
B. Class Rules
Be in assigned seat when the bell rings at the beginning of class.
Students will stay in their seats at the end of class until the bell rings.
Homework is to be handed in on time at the beginning of class. No late homework is accepted except from absent students.
Homework is not to be copied. The ethics policy will be enforced.
Bring all materials to class daily: binder, paper, workbook, textbook, pens and pencils.
Students will not talk while the teacher or another student is talking.
Sit appropriately in class. Keep feet on the floor. Your behavior must not distract or disturb anyone.
Do not use inappropriate language.
No laughing or making fun of other people.
No radios or other "toys" in class. They will be confiscated.
Do not throw anything. Place trash in the basket on your way out. Do not leave litter.
No writing on desks. No note writing. No doing homework from another class. They will be confiscated and not returned.
Students returning to class with a "pending absence" will obtain a readmit slip from the Attendance Office prior to class. Those without a readmit slip will be sent to the Attendance Office during class and receive a teacher assigned detention.
C. Consequences
There are many positive consequences and rewards for those who choose to follow the rules. Students demonstrating good behavior and work habits will receive an "O" in Citizenship. Other rewards may include homework passes, extra credit, estupendo tickets, Spanish games, fiestas, munch n gulps, cultural eating experiences and positive phone calls home.
Students who do not follow the rules will have their citizenship grade lowered. In addition, other consequences will include a seat change, detention, phone call home, loss of above rewards or teacher referral.
D. Homework GuidelinesWritten homework for Spanish 3-4 will be assigned on Monday and Thursday. Since tests and quizzes will be given on Wednesday, this homework schedule enables the students to study on Tuesday nights.
Written homework for Spanish Honors 3-4 will be assigned on Monday and Wed/Thursday. Since tests and quizzes will be given on Wed/Thursdays, this homework schedule enables the students to study on Tues/Wednesday nights.
Homework points will be counted in one of two ways.
First, if the student does well on the exam, they may opt to receive the percentage of available homework points equal to their test score. For example, if the student receives a score of 85% on the chapter test, then they would receive 85% of the total available homework points for that chapter.
Second, if the student did poorly on the exam, they could opt to turn in their homework packet and have it graded for completeness and accuracy. The homework packet must be turned in on the day the tests are returned. Late homework packets will not be accepted.
Students will keep track of their assignments through my Web Page and through Learning Point . All quizzes, tests and projects for the chapter are recorded on the chapter calendar.
Homework will be corrected everyday in class.
Absent students, upon their return, will check my web page for the homework and see me for missing worksheets . Students may call me at home or school and leave a message on my voice mail.
Students who are absent will have as many days absent to make up the work. Students who know they will be absent due to field trips or athletic events are to hand in their work before they leave.
My prep period is 1st and I am available in H-2 every day after school .
Students who fail to complete several assignments may be required to attend HOMEWORK CLUB. In addition, parents will be notified.
For security reasons, students will not be allowed to take tests home. However, I will have a folder for each student with their work for the entire semester in my room. Any parent wishing to see the students work is encouraged to call for an appointment.
E. Tests & Quizzes
Students will take at least two vocabulary quizzes a chapter in addition to a cumulative chapter test which will include activities in listening, reading, writing and grammar. Students will also be tested orally. Oral examinations will be given twice each semester as well as during the final exam. Students who are absent due to illness have ONE WEEK (one tutorial cycle) to make up a test or quiz. Students on field trips will take the test or quiz the day before or after they go on the field trip. In an effort to help more students succeed and keeping in mind that all students learn at different paces, I have a program in which students can earn the privilege of retaking tests or quizzes. Students may retake any test or quiz provided that they have completed all homework assignments in that particular chapter. Also, the retake must occur within one week after the test or quiz is handed back. No retakes allowed during last week of semester. A student must come for a tutorial lesson on the work to be made up before the make up test can be taken. The make-up must be taken during tutorial on either Wednesday or Thursday from 1:45-2:45. The average of the original score and the make-up score will be used as the final grade for that chapter. All makeup quizzes/tests must be taken prior to the completion of the subsequent chapter. Students with perfect attendance on all test and quiz days (Wed/Thurs Lab days) will be allowed to drop their lowest test or quiz grade for the semester.
F. Grades
Students will be assessed throughout the semester in the following areas.:
25%: writing (tests and quizzes) 15% Speaking
15% Listening 10% Homework/Culture/Projects
15% Reading 20% Final Exam
You will receive a progress notice from the school at six and twelve weeks with the final grade to be mailed home at eighteen weeks. I will update the grades weekly which you can access through my web page(profe.isbeautiful.com, learningpoint.org, and mygradebook.com
Grading scale:
A= 89.5-100 B= 79.5-89.4 C= 69.5-79.4 D= 59.5-69.4 F= 0-59.4
If a student is borderline, special consideration will be given to those who complete all homework assignments and display good work habits. In closing, I am looking forward to sharing a rewarding, enjoyable and hardworking year at Poway High with my students and parents. If you have any comments, suggestions or information to share, I would be delighted to hear from you. I hope to have a chance to meet many of you at Back To School Night on Tuesday, September 10th.
Sincerely,
Karen Gil