Español I - Syllabus

Señora Murray

gretchen.murray@cowetaschools.net

Course Description

Spanish I is a study of the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. It strives to integrate the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. By the end of this course, students will have acquired a basic command of the key vocabulary and structures necessary for personal communication, as well as an appreciation for the broad scope of the Spanish-speaking world.

We will be concentrating on achieving novice-mid levels in reading, writing, listening and speaking as described in the Georgia Performance Standard areas for Modern Languages Level I. You may access these performance standards at georgiastandards.org.

Grading policy

Tests 20% of total grade

Quizzes 15% of total grade

Daily 40% of total grade

(Homework, Classwork

& Participation)

Projects 10% of total grade

Midterm and Final Exam 15% of total grade

Suggested Materials

• 1 – 2” or larger 3-ring binder with 5 dividers (Dividers should be labeled the following way: Tab 1 – Bellringers, Tab 2 – Notes, Tab 3 – Verb Charts, Tab 4 – Classwork, Tab 5 – Homework) *Syllabus should be kept in the front of the notebook for reference.
• Notebook paper and writing Utensils
• Notecards for making flashcards (we will use these once a week!)

Text

McDougal Littell ¡En Español! Level 1 – Every student will be issued a textbook which they will be responsible for bringing to class everyday. Please keep in mind that there is a $75 replacement fee if the book is lost of damaged.

All students will be given an accompanying workbook which should be brought to class EVERYDAY!

Additional Resources

www.classzone.com and Take Home Tutor (available upon request)

Homework

Homework is very important and will be assigned nearly every night! It helps reinforce what we are learning in class and helps to prepare you for quizzes and tests. Students should also be devoting at least 20 minutes of study time to their vocabulary every night. Homework should be turned into each student’s folder at the bell and any homework that is completed in class will receive a zero. I will randomly check homework for accuracy (at my discretion), so it would be good practice for students to do their homework to the best of their abilities every time.

Homework will receive a stamp for completion everyday. Straight up stamp is full credit and an upside down stamp is ½ credit. I only give full credit for 100% of the work. Anything less than 100%, but more than 50% gets ½ credit. Every couple of weeks I will collect homework stamps for a grade. I will always give students at least a days notice that I am collecting stamps.

For example: On Wednesday I tell students that I am collecting stamps on Friday and that they should have 10 stamps.

v Maria turns in 10 stamps all straight up and she gets a 100% for her homework grade

v José only turns in 9 stamps all straight up so he receives a 90% for his homework grade

v But Carla only turns in 8 stamps. 5 stamps are straight up and 3 stamps are upside down this gives her full credit for 5 stamps (total 50%) and ½ credit for 3 stamps (total 15%). Her homework grade is 65%.

Since homework counts for 40% of their total grade, the student whose homework is not done completely everyday is going to have his/her grade adversely affected!!!

Quizzes & Tests

Students will have one test per chapter and may have at least one quiz per chapter. I also may choose to give a pop quiz anytime at my discretion. Tests and quizzes may be both oral and/or written, multiple choice or essay.

*CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Anyone caught cheating on any test or quiz will receive a grade of zero and parent contact.

*If students are absent the day before a test or quiz they must still take it upon their return as long as they were present when it was announced.

*Plagiarism, and the use of online translator services is not acceptable and will result in a 0 for the assignment.

Participation

Class participation is essential to achieve the maximum benefits of our class. Everyday is a new day and every student starts out the day with a “20” for class participation. It is up to each student, whether or not they keep these 20 points. I will deduct points for breaking ANY of my class rules, and for any other behavior that I consider inappropriate, in 5-point increments.

Make-Up Assignments

As per the school policy, students must get with me within 3 days of returning to school to make arrangements to make-up any missed assignments and/or tests.

It is the student’s responsibility to make these arrangements. I will not track him/her down to make sure that this has been done. After 3 days, if he/she has not made arrangements he/she will receive a zero on that assignment or test.

Extra Credit

The World Languages Department does not offer extra credit.

Extra Help – Tutoring

I am available to any student for extra help on Thursday and Friday mornings from 7:50-8:20 and Thursday afternoons from 3:35-4:15. Students must also give me prior notice so that I don’t have kids from a different level coming in as well. Any other day is by appointment only.

Consequences

Consequences for breaking any of my class rules will be handled the following way:

1^st offense – warning

2^nd offense (not necessarily the same offense) – detention and parent contact

3^rd offense – disciplinary referral

*Detention will be held in the morning or afternoon. If a student does not show up to his/her detention, this will result in an automatic disciplinary referral.

*Depending on the severity of the infraction, a disciplinary referral might be the first course of action.

Tardy Policy

Refer to the student handbook.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

• Be in your assigned seat BEFORE the bell rings. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you are tardy.
• NO food, drink, chewing gum or candy is allowed in my classroom unless I have given specific permission. There is a trash can by the door, please use it. (Bottled water and mints are allowed.)
• ABSOLUTELY NO electronic devices. If I see it or hear it, I WILL CONFISCATE IT!
• Bring ALL of your materials to class EVERYDAY.
• DO NOT get out of your seat without permission.
• When I am speaking, you should not be. Please be respectful of everyone in our classroom and wait your turn. If you have something to say, raise your hand.
• NO personal grooming in my classroom. This includes, but is not limited make-up, brushing of hair, and applying lotion.
• Have ONLY Spanish materials on desk.
• Listen and follow directions the FIRST time they are given.
• NO SLEEPING IN MY CLASS!!!!! It is disrespectful and rude!!!
• Make-up work is your responsibility.
• I dismiss the class, not the bell.
• No throwing objects in my class! This will result in an immediate detention.
• NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON!

Restroom Policy

Students will be given passes to leave the room 4 times each 9-week period. Once these 4 passes have been used they may only leave the room for an emergency. Please let me know if your child has a medical reason for frequent restroom usage.

Student Name (Printed): _____________________________________________________________________

Parents:

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have over the course of the semester. I am available via email anytime or leave me a voicemail and I will contact you at my earliest opportunity.

Please review my Syllabus and Classroom Rules and Expectations with your student to make sure that you are both clear on my expectations for their behavior and for their coursework. Then fill out the personal contact information, print your name and sign the form followed by your students printed name and signature. This should be returned to me the next day.

*This is the 1^st homework grade they will receive!!!! It is either a zero or 100 so please be sure to sign it and make sure your student returns it in order to receive full credit!!!!

Parent/Guardian

Name (Printed): ______________________________________Relationship:___________________________

Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian

Home Phone #:________________________________ Cell Phone #: _________________________________

Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian

Email address: ________________________________Work Phone #:_________________________________

Parent/Guardian Address: ____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: ________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________________