CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

                                                                                                                     

COURSE:  Spanish                                                           WEBSITE:  http://achssz.homestead.com                                               TEACHER:  Mrs. Zeiler  (sue.zeiler@ouhsd.k12.ca.us)

A.    Course Objectives

Students will learn to communicate in Spanish. They will develop skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing standard Spanish. The acquisition of a second language will be of great advantage to students in the future, assisting in their admission as well as success in college. Students will also learn about the culture, history, and geography of the Spanish-speaking world which will broaden their understanding of their own culture, language, and heritage and also increase their awareness of cultural diversity. Students who participate in class and spend time reviewing and practicing at home will gain the most from this course of study. Please refer to the district website for more information (www.ouhsd.k12.ca.us).

This class is a college prep elective and will be taught at that level. Students need to be responsible and prepared for class each day and work up to expected levels. Students will be engaged in activities which will guide them towards mastery of the National Foreign Language Standards.

B.    Student Responsibilities  (Course Requirements)

1.      The student=s job is to be attentive, cooperative, and prepared to participate in the classroom instruction. Students will be respectful at all times.

2.   Materials

a.   Self-sealing plastic bag labeled with student's name, white 3X5 file cards

b.   Pencil, pen (blue or black nonsmearing ink), highlighter, red pen, dry erase marker and colored pencils

c.   1" binder with 10 dividers

a.       Spanish / English dictionary

b.      En espaņol textbook

C.  Assessment

1.   The grading policy reflects the Board Policy of the OUHSD (BP 5121)

A   Advanced performance with respect to the content standards for this course      90%   -      100%

B    Proficient Performance with respect to the content standards for this course       80%   -        89%

C   Basic Performance with respect to the content standards for this course             70%   -        79%

D   Below Basic Performance with respect to the content standards for this course  60%   -        69%

F    Far Below Basic Performance with respect to the content standards for this course      0%              -             59% 

2.   Grades will be based on class participation, homework, diligence, quizzes and tests. (70% tests, 15% homework, 15% diligence). Students must pass all tests to receive credit for the class  (A, B, C, D).

E.   Homework Policy

Students are expected to spend 30 minutes nightly, reviewing  the material covered that day in class.  Written assignments are due at the beginning of the next class period.  If an assignment is incomplete, partial credit may be given. No credit will be given for late homework. State law allows for one day of makeup time for each day of absence. If a student is absent on the day when a long term assignment is due, it will be accepted when he/she returns if the absence is excused and / or if the teacher has not stipulated differently when the assignment was given. It is the responsibility of the student to remember what assignments are missing. A calendar is posted on the class website and in the classroom. Tests must be completed in a timely manner and the value of a test will be reduced by 10% at the end of each two week period. Make-up work may not be accepted for unexcused absences.

E.   Copying, Cheating and Plagiarism - Students must do their own work, including homework, classwork and tests. All references to outside sources must be noted, including information from Internet sources. Students are reminded to translate their own work. Please refer to the parent/student handbook for further information.

F.   Attendance

Students are expected to be in their seat when the tardy bell rings. After five tardies a referral will be issued. A student may fail the class after 10 unexcused tardies or absences.  If a student is absent, he/she should contact his/her compaņero in class to find out what was covered that day. Students may also check the calendar on the website or in the classroom.

G.    Classroom Rules

1.     Students are expected to be present, prompt, prepared, polite and positive.

2.     Students are expected to take care of personal needs (locker, restroom, pencil sharpener...) before the start of class.

3.     Students are expected to be quiet and attentive while the teacher is talking.

4.     Students will remain in their seats until excused by teacher.

5.     No food, gum or beverage is permitted in the classroom. Water is permitted.

2.      No electronic devices including cell phones and personal MP3 players.

3.      When the teacher is speaking Spanish, students are expected to listen and speak Spanish.

4.      No hats in the classroom - Hats will be removed as a common courtesy upon entering the classroom.

H.  Consequences

1.   Points will be deducted from daily participation grade for minor infractions. (no textbooks, inappropriate talking, inattention....)

1.      Electronic devices will be confiscated and returned at a later time depending upon the frequency of the offense.

2.      Referral to Assistant Principal for major infractions and for repetitive problem behavior.

I.    Extra Help - Mrs. Zeiler will be available after school and during lunch for make-up work and extra help as posted. Please check the board for days and times.

ID # _______________                                                                                       Last name________________________

                                                                                                                                                              Period______

Student=s full name: __________________________________________________________ Grade  ______

Address: ________________________________________________    Telephone: __________________

 

Male guardian=s full name: __________________________________      Relation to student _______________

Address: _____________________________________________    Home telephone: ________________

Email: ___________________________                    Work telephone: ___________________

Languages: _______________________                    Cell telephone: ________________

 

Female guardian=s full name: __________________________________   Relation to student _______________

Address: _____________________________________________    Home telephone: ________________

Email: ___________________________                    Work telephone: ___________________

Languages: _______________________                    Cell telephone: ________________

 

Student=s Class Schedule

 

Period

 

Class

 

Room

 

Instructor

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you take Spanish last year?        Conversational Spanish  Spanish 1    Spanish 2    (Circle which one)

What grade did you receive for Fall Semester _____? Spring Semester_____?

Who was your teacher? ______________________

 

I live with ... G  mother        G   father         G   both parents            G   other  _______________________

 

Where were you born?

If you were born outside the U.S, when did you come to the United States?

Are your parents from another country?

What language do you speak at home with your parents?

Do relatives other than your parents and brothers or sisters live at your house? Who?

Is there anything about you that you would like me to know?

 

 

 

I have read and understand the Class Expectations for Spanish. I also understand that the class requirements include passing all tests in order to receive credit (grades A, B, C, D) for the class.

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________________

Student Signature                                                          Parent Signature

 

 

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Explanation of REQUIRED TESTS

 

In addition to the standardized textbook tests, I also use a program of REQUIRED TESTS in my Spanish classes that cover the necessary concepts that a student must know to be successful in the language.

 

1.      First, I introduce the concept in class and the students take notes.

 

2.      I next give the students a worksheet with practice sentences and answers on it in order to reinforce the concept being studied. The students practice the sentences over a one to two week period of time and at the end of that time they take a test.

 

3.      The sentences on the test come directly from the practice worksheet so there are no surprises. The students must score a 90% on the test in order to qualify for a passing grade. The highest grade on the first attempt is 100% or A. Since the students have had the practice sentences for at least a week, it should not be a problem to pass the test on the first try. 

 

4.      If the students do not score a 90% they must come in for tutoring either during lunch or after school as assigned until they successfully pass the test. However, the highest grade for a perfect paper on the second attempt is 90% or A-. The highest grade for a perfect paper on the third attempt is 80% or B-.

 

5.      For vocabulary tests, the passing grade is 70%.

 

6.      I offer tutoring for the students and the times are posted in the classroom. I am happy to write notes to parents stating that their students attended tutoring and if they passed specific tests.

 

7.      In order to receive a semester grade of A, B, C, or D in Spanish, all of the tests must be successfully completed.

 

8.      Parents may contact me by email if they are concerned about whether their students have passed the necessary tests.  (sue.zeiler@ouhsd.k12.ca.us)