Class Syllabus Español – 2015

Course Objectives To encourage and assist students in their introduction to the Spanish language. Students will learn about a variety of basic topics while highlighting globally cultural topics. All four methods of communication will be practiced including: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The ¡Ven Conmigo! textbook will be used along with supplementary materials.

Materials Needed  1-inch 3-ring binder with pockets. This will be kept in the classroom  Pens and pencils, crayons, markers or colored pencils  Loose leaf paper  Spanish/English Dictionary. Having a personal dictionary will help students reference different words and grammatical issues. It is not a requirement

Student Expectations 1. Be on time and be prepared with book, notebook, homework, etc. 2. Be open-minded about learning a foreign language. Participation and practice are important for your growth and development. 3. Show respect for your peers as well as myself. Keep in mind that we are all learning ! No one is perfect, and any forms of intolerance and disrespect for your classmates will NOT be accepted. 4. Come talk to me if you are having trouble or getting behind! I am here to help you and will be available most days after school if you have any questions. 5. SPEAK ! You will be expected to contribute to class discussions/activities IN SPANISH every class period. Your oral participation will be a part of your grade.

Attendance Policy If you are absent, check the folders in the ¿Qué me faltó? section, BEFORE returning to class (before advisory or first period). If you did not have time to stop in prior to classes, see me at the beginning of class immediately upon your return. You have one week (5 school days) to turn in any missed work. Assignments turned in after this time will earn a MAXIMUM of 50%. Ask a classmate for missed class notes, and don’t hesitate to talk to me if you don’t understand something. The key to learning a language is practicing it! Be here and be on time! Lateness or continual absence to class will be documented and repeated offenses will result in ISS and possible loss of class credit.

Assignment Policy Some assignments will be graded and some will be graded on completion only. We will have classwork/notebook checks at the end of each marking period so be sure to complete and organize all work! Our notebooks are like textbooks and should be organized and compete. Projects are a large and important part of your overall grade. For every day that a project is late, points will be deducted. The deadline is 5 days; after that you will not receive above 50%. All other late assignments will receive a maximum of half credit.

Grading Policy The percentage breakdown of your grade is as follows:  65% - Assessments (Quizzes, Projects and Presentations)  35% - Assignments (Classwork, Participation, Notebook checks)

A note about academic dishonesty: You will receive a zero for any work turned in that is not completely your own. This includes copying from another student or any other resource, AND USING INTERNET TRANSLATIONS!!! The use of cheat sheets and handheld translators is also prohibited and will result in a zero on the assignment. See agenda book for additional consequences.  Wordreference.com and Spanishdict.com are great dictionary/forums to use as resources. If you need to look up a word or find out how to phrase something, use these sites!

My promise to you: I will do my best to help you do your best in this class! I will be clear about my expectations and fair in my grading. I will strive to make learning a language fun and engaging. I will respect you and your opinions and always encourage your great effort! We will work together collaboratively to make Spanish fun and relevant. I will speak in the Target Language (Spanish) for more than 90% of class time.

Your promise to me: I have read the above expectations and procedures and understand my responsibilities in Spanish class. I will put forth my best effort to utilize Spanish within the classroom. I will respect those around me and I will strive to give 100% of my effort each and every day!

COMPLETE and RETURN  Read your promise to me, then print and sign your name. Have your parents/guardians visit my page at Smyrna High School’s website to view the syllabus and classroom procedures. They will then fill out the bottom page of the signature sheet.  The signature sheet must be completed and returned by Wednesday/Thursday, SEPTEMBER 3 rd or 4 th ! This will be one of your first grades for the marking period!