Español 1

If you need extra help or would like to talk with me, I’m available to meet with you before and after school, as well as during homebase.

Spanish 1 is a high school level coarse, following the same text and covering the same material as Downers Grove North High School. The focus will be on correct pronunciation and comprehension of key vocabulary, and proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and communicating at the beginning level. In addition to this, students will explore common Spanish cultural customs. All of this will be accomplished via creative, engaging lessons; small group and pairs activities; videos; games; music; computer and Internet activities; projects; exposure to authentic cultural artifacts; etc.

¡En Español! By Patricia Hamilton Carlin, Estella Gahala, Audrey L. Heining-Boynton, Richard Otheguy, and Barbara J. Rupert. Published by McDougal Littell. Copyright 2000. Workbooks, c.d’s, and computer software that follows this text will also be used as supplementary materials.

In addition to your covered textbook, workbook, and homework. You should bring the following to class daily.

w 1 white board marker (any color) [The sock and marker will be kept in the classroom]

Trimester grades are based on total points from homework, quizzes, tests, projects, and participation

Homework will be assigned most nights and will serve to reinforce and enhance in-class work and study. While some assignments will be turned in for a grade, most will receive points for completion and be graded in class. Homework should be used as self-assessment and is a helpful review tool. Frequently, it will extend into the lessons of the next class period. In addition to daily homework, students will be asked to do weekly media practice and occasional on-line activities. Homework is to be turned in at the beginning of the class period, on the day that it is due. If it is turned in any time after this, it will be considered late. All late work will be graded for half of its valued credit (unless it is accompanied by a parent note explaining unusual circumstances). Habitual late or missing assignments will result in home contact.

When students are absent, they have two days, for everyday that they miss, to complete their make up work. For example, if a student misses two days of school he/she will have four days to complete missed work. If it is not turned in within this time frame, it is late and will be graded for half credit. It is the responsibility of absent students to talk with me, or a classmate, about what they missed. We do many things in class that are difficult or even impossible to “rerun.” If possible, when you are absent, call your “buddy” that evening to find out what we did in class, so that you will be prepared when you return. I will be available for you to discuss make-up work before school, after school, and during homebase. It is CRUCIAL that you talk with me, as soon as possible, if you have ANY questions!!!

If a student is going to miss class to due extra curricular activities, he/she MUST report to class before going to the activity. This will ensure that students have the opportunity to turn in homework and get the next day’s assignments. Involvement in extra curricular activities DOES NOT excuse students from turning in homework on the day that it is due or from getting future assignments.

Testing is done similarly to that of Downers Grove North. Students will take a quiz over vocabulary and some concepts covered during each etapa (chapter), and tests, covering all vocabulary and concepts for the etapa, will be administered at the end of each etapa. In addition to these chapter tests and quizzes, students will take a mid-term and a final, as students at Downers Grove North do. These are taken during our second and third trimesters respectively. In addition to the written components, all tests, including the mid-term and final, contain listening and oral sections. If you should be absent for a test or a quiz. Be responsible by arranging to make it up in a timely fashion (within the week of return to school). You can see me before school, during homebase, or after school to make such arrangements (Please don’t wait until class time to see me.).

Students will be given the opportunity to retake one test and/or quiz each trimester (excluding semester/final exams and speaking tests). Students wishing to do retakes must realize the importance of studying for the retakes. There are no guarantees that a student will improve his/her test/quiz score merely by taking a retake. In fact it’s twice as hard to do well on a retake because students must work on past material, as well as attend to new concepts being taught. Thus, it’s critical that students put time and effort into preparing for their retake. No retakes will be given during the last two weeks of the trimester, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Retakes should be done in a timely fashion after a poor test/quiz score is earned. Students are discouraged from waiting until the deadline for retakes. Test/quiz retakes are meant to aid students who, on a rare occasion, do poorly on a test/quiz. Students should not use test/quiz retakes as a replacement for studying and putting forth their best effort the first time they take a test/quiz. Such abuses will result in the revocation of retake privileges.

Students will receive participation points for being in class everyday and ready to being when the bell rings (in their seats, with their homework out and all necessary class materials). In order to receive full credit students must also actively participate in all class activities and abide by all class and school rules. You should be physically and mentally prepared when you arrive. Make sure you have gone over what we did in class the day before. *** Take 15 to 30 minutes (in addition to homework) to review every night. ***

Throughout the year, limited extra credit opportunities may be available to all students who have turned in all of their regular assignments and have completed all of the regular classroom requirements.

Be responsible: take pride in your work, and always put forth your best effort. You may work with other students on daily work, provided both students do their share of the work. Do not copy or allow your work to be copied. All students involved in cheating will receive 0 credit for assignments in question. Cheating on test/quizzes will result in a 0, without the possibility of retake/makeup, and contact home.

w Students are encouraged to share what they are learning in class with others at home: they should be discussing class activities and assignments with their families and friends; they may create flashcards and review them with their family members; and, if possible, they should try to teach what they are learning to others at home. Students have truly grasped a concept if they are able to teach it to someone else.

w Students are encouraged to be exposed to as much Spanish outside of class as possible: i.e. watching Spanish T.V., listening to Spanish radio, visiting Spanish educational web sites, dinning at Spanish/Mexican restaurants, experiencing other cultural events that might present themselves, etc.

Herrick Middle School foreign language teachers, Miss Franks and Mrs. Hoffmeyer, sponsor

Foreign Language and Culture Club. Meetings are held every Monday from 3:15 until 4:00, in room 104. It is an excellent supplement to our Spanish I class, as well as an opportunity to experience different cultures (including many of their own), via engaging-hands on activities, games, crafts, conversations, videos, dances, food, etc. Additionally, we conduct several community service projects, such as making multi-language greeting cards for residents of a local nursing home. Finally, in the Spring, members plan and teach a Spanish or French lesson to students at Pierce Downer Elementary School. All students are welcome to attend, but it is NOT a requirement of Spanish I.

* Speak one at a time, raising your hands and waiting for permission to speak. When speaking, use an appropriate voice and language.

* Make an honest effort to achieve, to the best of your ability, by coming to class on time every day with necessary materials for daily tasks; by participating in all class activities; and by using the skills acquired in class as much as is feasibly possible.

Note: Certain inappropriate behaviors: swearing, insubordination, racial slurs, back talking, etc. warrant immediate removal from class to the office.