Spanish 1 Guidelines and Grading
RESPECT yourself! RESPECT others! RESPECT the environment!
Welcome to Spanish! I'm so glad that you have decided to study Spanish studies. You have made a great decision. Spanish can be a tough class, but you're up to it! You will find that consistent studying and excellent participation in class will made this course much easier for you. I strongly believe that Spanish is only part of what you learn here. You will also learn to work with others and be an independent learner. Because of this, there are times when you ask a question and I'll expect you to do some searching on your own before I tell you the answer. This is part of learning to think on your own.
Another important element of Spanish is learning to use the language even when you are not totally sure of what you are doing. You may not be perfect, but every time you make an effort, you'll get better. My absolute expectation of you is that you are always trying to improve. Please ask for help whenever you need it--email, call, stop by F-226 or leave a note in my box in the main office.
To be a successful student: You have to be willing to memorize a lot, make mistakes and correct them, use as much Spanish as possible and accept that t
he way people from the United States speak, act and think is just one of the possibilities. Just like you all, I started learning Spanish as a teen and I'm still learning it. I struggle and make mistakes, but every day I have more fun with it and am glad that my perspective of the world includes people who don't speak English. I hope that this year you gain a wider perspective as well.
Important Classroom Guidelines
1. At the bell to start class, all students must be in the room and ready to begin. Fill out a tardy slip by the door and give to Maestra if you enter after the late bell. All classes will follow the Southeast policy for cell phones, MP3 players, ID tags and planners and tardies. Please place your backpack, purse, etc UNDER your desk to facilitate walking space throughout the room.
2. Please be respectful of each other and the teacher or other adults in the room. Please do not talk when the teacher or other students are talking. If the environment isn't comfortable for you, please talk with Maestra. Maestra will manage blinds, air flow and any other challenges in the learning environment.
3. Please demonstrate a commitment to learning by actively participating in class. Doing homework from other classes, reading other materials during class, or sleeping is not acceptable behavior.
4. Please help keep the room neat and clean. Do not write on desks.
5. Please do not bring gum, food or drink, with the exception of plain bottled water, into the classroom.
6. Please do not take or use items from the teacher's desk. There are supplies on/in the desk by the door for student use. Pens and pencils that are borrowed should be returned to this area after use.
7. Please keep requests to leave class to a minimum. Student planners must be used for necessary passes out of the room. Please do not disrupt class with requests for passes.
8. Please remain seated until class activities are over. Class is dismissed by the teacher, not by the bell. When you hear adiós, hasta luego, hasta mañana, etc., you will know that it is time to leave.
9. STUDY DAILY! Fifteen to twenty minutes of study or practice is necessary every night even if no specific homework has been given. Flashcards are great for studying. Always let me know if you need extra help or explanations as I may not be aware that you are having difficulties. Keep up with the class! See Study Tips.
10. Regular attendance is crucial in a language class. When a student misses class, he/she misses out on the opportunity to practice the skills needed to speak and understand Spanish. Attendance is part of class participation.
11. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is handing in the work of others as your own original work. It is not acceptable and will result in a zero for the entire assignment. I will call your parents and I will contact the administration. Group work is at my discretion and I will tell you on an assignment by assignment basis whether I want you to work in groups. If I say nothing, you are to work alone.
12. As a part of class participation, students are expected to be prepared with the following items each day. Ven conmigo text, workbook, organized class notes, notebook paper and all handouts, your completed homework assignment, pen (blue or black ink) or pencil.
13. Work missed is the responsibility of the student. It is the student's obligation to get work if he/she is absent from class. Full credit will be given for work missed due to excused absences/tardies. There are several ways to get late work if you are gone: Talk with friends. Borrow their notes. Check my web site. (http://teachers.lps.org/bmullen) Class activities and homework will be posted there. You can also check the "Make-up Book" in the classroom. Handouts will be in you class period folder by the door. If you have any additional questions See me promptly!.This may mean that you might have to come in for additional assistance before or after school. Tests, quizzes, videos and speaking activities will need to be made up outside of class time. Sign up sheet is on the desk by the door.
14. Be prepared for class! Graded work completed one day late will earn a maximum of 80%. After one day, the highest possible grade will be 50% (For an excused absence, you may still receive full credit.). Late work: Late work will be accepted (for reduced credit) until the day of the chapter test. Credit will not be given after that day.
Grading Policy - Your grade will be based on what you earn in each of these categories:
Tests - 40%
Quizzes - 25%
Daily Work/Homework - 20%
Speaking/Listening - 15%
NOTE: THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE 15% OF THE TOTAL SEMESTER GRADE.
"A" student - Frequently volunteers to answer even if unsure and to communicate in Spanish whenever possible.
"C" student - Sometimes volunteers to answer questions even if unsure and to communicate in Spanish whenever possible.
"F" student - Seldomly volunteers to answer questions even if unsure and to communicate in Spanish whenever possible. Will participate passively almost to the point of non-participation.
If you have problems following these expectations, we will have a student-teacher conference to work out a solution.
1/28/08
Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
|
