Sra. Sara Turner                                         

Teléfono: 455-1861

E-Mail: turner@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us

Español II

Normas de la Clase

¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español II!  Welcome to Spanish II.  This class is designed to continue to introduce students to the Spanish language and culture of Spanish speaking countries.  During the year we will learn useful Spanish vocabulary for informative conversations and learn the present and past tense verbs.  

We will be using the book Paso a Paso for Spanish II.  Each section will be followed by a quiz (prueba).  Periodically, there may be 5-25 point quizzes (announced and unannounced).  In this packet I have included a lot of useful information to guide your experience in this class.  Please take the time to read this carefully, and feel free to ask questions to clarify any necessary areas.  I also encourage you to keep this packet in a safe place for future reference. 

          Below is an outline of the expectations, grading policies and activities that will be included in this course. 

I Expect my Students to....

v    Speak Spanish in the classroom

v    Have a positive and inquisitive attitude

v    Complete written assignments

v    Ask questions

v    Ask for additional help if necessary

v    Do their best

My Students can Expect me to...

v    Speak Spanish in the Classroom

v    Monitor and ask questions to insure that students understand

v    Grade written work in a timely manner

v    Include all students in discussions and classroom activities

v    Have a positive and friendly attitude

v    Make students feel welcome

v    Teach lessons in a way that is helpful to different learning styles

v    Allow mistakes

v    Anything else?  Please let me know

Please let me know if I am not fulfilling these.  Thank you.

Grades

Grades will be made up of points consisting of approximately the following percentages:

40% tests, quizzes, and projects

35% Daily homework and in-class assignments

10% Participation-Daily participation in class and a subjective, but professional assessment by the teacher of students’ willingness and readiness to actively participate in class.  Students will earn approximately 1 point per day.   Either you are present in the class and participate, or you do not.  If you are absent you must make up that point, or lose it.

10% Use of the Spanish Language.  Whenever possible, the students should use Spanish in class to express ideas, ask questions, and speak with other students.  If communication is completely broken, the student may ask (in Spanish) to please speak English to clarify what was spoken.  Students will earn approximately 1 point per day.  Either you speak Spanish, or you do not.  If you are absent, you must make up that point or lose it.

Grading Policy:

The letter grade is based upon this percentage scale.

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

93-100% 92-90% 89-87% 86-83% 82-80% 79-77% 76-73% 72-70% 69-67% 66-63% 62-60% 59-0%

Make-Up Work:

1.     Students marked unexcused on the attendance record will be allowed to make up tests, assignments, or participation.  The students will be given 24 hours to make up the work upon return. 

2.     It is up to the STUDENT to initiate the arrangements regarding any make-up.  Since most tests and quizzes include a speaking and/or listening component, it is often difficult to make-up a test during class time.  Many times, this can only be done before school or during study hall.

3.     All make-up work must be completed within the designated time limit of the absence or the student will not receive credit.  If you are absent one day, you will have two days to complete the assignment.  Exceptions will be given at the teacher’s discretion.

Homework:

Homework is optional.  Projects are not considered homework and must be completed to receive credit. 

Homework will be graded as either completely done or not done.  If homework is completely done, students will earn all the points for that assignment (5-10 points), provided it appears to the teacher that the student has made a good effort to get the answers correct. 

If a student did not get the homework done, they can still earn the homework points.  Every student will take a homework quiz after we are done checking the homework.  The quiz will be worth the same number of points as the homework for that day.  If you do not do the homework, you can get anywhere from 0-100% of the points. 

If you did the homework and get 100% on the quiz, you will be awarded an extra credit point toward you final grade. 

If you are absent or enter the class after the quiz has been given, homework is the ONLY option to earn points.   If the homework is not completed when you enter the classroom, you will earn a ZERO for that grade. 

This policy will be subject to review at any time and can be changed with notice. 

Extra Credit:

There area a variety of extra credit opportunities available to students upon request.  Only students with all assignments completed and/or HOMEWORK QUIZES completed in will be eligible for extra credit.  Extra credit must be turned in at least one week prior to the end of the term.  Points earned through extra credit will only allow a student to raise his/her grade one step (from a B- to a B for example).  If you have a ZERO in the grade book for not completing an assignment, you will have the opportunity to complete that assignment to earn extra credit.  The assignment will remain a ZERO even after it has been completed.

Advice for Success in Spanish:

1.     Attend class.  The most important skills to learn a second language are best developed in the classroom where Spanish is spoken and a mood is created

2.     Listen.  Listening is a very important skill to develop in a second language.  At times, a student may not understand every word that is spoken.  It is important to not be frustrated by this, but to continue to listen and catch the gist.  Much of the course will be conducted in Spanish. 

3.     Review daily.  Even when there is not a specific assignment, students should review the material.  Frequent and short reviews will be the most effective way to prepare for class.  Cramming for an exam the night before a test will not be effective. 

If at any time you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress in Spanish, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (455-1861) or by e-mail (turner@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us).

I look forward to a wonderful experience teaching you Spanish II.  I hope that you will feel comfortable to ask many questions, to use Spanish, and to have a great time. 

Sra. Turner

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I have read the policies and expectations above and agree to follow them.  I know that by following them I allow myself and others to learn and have the best experience possible in Spanish II. 

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                        (Student)                            (date)

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                       (Parent)                                        (date)