1. Español con Sra. Christopher
Open House 2017

2. A little info about Sra.
Sra. graduated from St. Louis University, BA in 1982, MA in 1984.
Sra. spent her junior year in Spain (and met her husband there).
Sra. has taught every level from pre-school (in Almaty, Kazakhstan) to university at SIU, Edwardsville.
Sra. has taught in two states and on three continents.
Sra. has taught elementary and middle school Spanish in Clayton since 1999.
Sra. has three children, one in her 20’s, two at CHS.

3. A little info about class…
Students should have a writing utensil, a folder or binder, a notebook or compbook and paper.
There will probably be homework most nights.
Homework is posted on my website (but is not on team websites).
Homework doesn’t count for points.
We will be using Integrated Performance Assessments (IPA’s) to evaluate students’ knowledge of the material (8th grade).

4. A little more info about class…
The following is a list of some of the activities that we do in class.
Writing answers on the board
Playing “Batalla” (Battleship) to practice vocab and/or verbs
Writing and performing dialogues
Playing checkers
Learning and singing songs
Answering questions out loud
Working on individual projects
Working with others on projects or performances
Listening activities
Playing lotto

5. A little info about practice…
There are many ways to practice a language. Here are a few:
Making flash cards
Quizlet
Using the word in a sentence
Duolingo
Listening to Spanish music
Making a web/graphic organizer
Watching tv/videos in Spanish
Writing the words 5 times each
Reading books or magazines in Spanish
Saying words out loud

6. A little info about grades…
I use a standards-based grading system.
Homework and participation are meant to be practice, are important, but do not count for points.
Students have the opportunity to re-take assessments—think about taking the driving test. If you don’t pass, you still have another shot at it.
Students have to “earn” a re-take. If you don’t do more driving practice, you won’t pass the test the second time either.

7. A little info about language learning…
Language learning has changed a lot since I was in school and since I started teaching.
Communication is the goal. Can your child make him/herself understood? Can your child understand others?
Fluency and proficiency are different. Proficiency is how we measure student success.
Learning a language requires risk-taking and persistence.
Culture and language are inextricably intertwined.

8. More info about language learning…
Language learning includes three modes of communication.
Interpretive—understanding others; includes reading and listening
Presentational—conveying information to others; includes writing and speaking; is often rehearsed
Interpersonal—communication with others in an unrehearsed setting

9. Since communication is the goal…
I’ll be sending periodic updates/notices.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Check in from time to time with your child.
Take a look at PowerSchool (with your child) from time to time.
Hold students responsible for their learning—they are the only ones who can do the learning.

10. More about communication…
Hopefully, you’ve filled out the pink parent info form.
Your child should have brought home an introductory pamphlet and a “cupcake” handout about grades. (either yesterday or today)
My , phone number and voic are available on the overview page of my website.

11. ¡Muchas gracias! Thank you for attending this evening.
I look forward to a great year with your child!