ESPAÑOL 3

Spanish 3 is an advanced level language class. We will work within the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Assessment will occur within these four contexts. Grammar and vocabulary are advanced, and based on Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. We will be applying your work from the past two years, plus this year’s grammar and vocabulary into the above four skills. Some of the work we do will be essays, compositions, journals, live and videotaped presentations, reading selections from your text and from authentic sources, and tests/quizzes. Tests are reflective of the application of our work; therefore they are written and spoken. We will be examining various aspects of Hispanic culture in depth as well.

The following aspects of the class – in alphabetical order – greatly affect your life as a Spanish 2 student:

Behavior

Please keep in mind that Grosse Pointe does not require you to take a foreign language. You chose to be in this class, and I expect you to act as if you want to be here. Obviously the Student Code of Conduct applies and you should remember that it deals with – among others – issues such as disrespect, inappropriate clothing, littering, cheating, and vandalism.

In order for us to have a successful year in Spanish, it is most important that you are respectful and polite towards everyone in the class, and that you take complete responsibility for your own learning and actions. Please make good choices regarding your conduct and work habits in class.

Please adhere to the following rules to make this class an environment that is comfortable and conducive to learning Spanish:

Consequences for inappropriate behavior might occur as follows depending on the situation:

Being Absent

As long as your absence is excused, make-up work is accepted. You should check your class binder and folders for your assignments and handouts. If an assignment was assigned the last day you were in class, then it is due when you return. In general, count on one day to make up your work for each day you were absent. If you have an extended absence, we will work together to devise a plan for turning in assignments. If you miss a quiz or a test, you must schedule a time with me (generally after school) to take it. You may have two days per absence to make up a quiz or test. Please keep your appointments; missed appointments will result in a zero on the quiz or test. Tests and quizzes that are not made up will convert to a zero.

Students with an athletic dismissal are still responsible for any work that is assigned or due that day. Being excused from class for an early dismissal does not lead to an extra day to complete work. (This is part of the Athletic Office’s policy.) Please stop by to visit or make arrangements the day before to take care of obligations for Spanish.

Cheating

The following are the minimum consequences for cheating or plagiarizing: zero on the assignment; phone call to your parents; revocation of extra credit privileges forever. Cheating includes using online translators. I value academic integrity.

Class Time

In general, expect something different in class each day. The one thing you can count on to be the same is the opening of class. Each day there will be a message to you somewhere in the front of the room (board, overhead, but usually the TV). Follow these directions and do any written work that is not on a handout in the class-work section of your binder. I will collect these activities every once in a while for a grade.

Electronics

According to North’s policy you may have certain electronic devices at school. Cell phones are allowed, but must be silent and put away. If I see or hear a cell phone in class, the minimum consequence is my switching the display to a language other than English (you will be lucky if I choose Spanish J). You may listen to music using headphones in the hallways during passing time, but all iPods, MP3 players, CD players, and the like must be put away out of sight before you enter the room. Please be aware that iPods have lots more languages than cell phones. I especially like Finnish. Refer to the student code of conduct if you have questions.

Grades

Each assignment or quiz/test will have a point value, and your grade is determined by dividing the points you earn by the points possible. My grading scale is: 100 – 99% = A+; 98 – 93% = A; 92 – 90% = A-; 89 – 87% = B+; 86 – 83% = B; 82 – 80% = B-; 79 – 77% = C+; 76 – 73% = C; 72 – 70% = C-; 69 – 67% = D+; 66 – 63% = D; 62 – 60% = D-; ≤ 59% = E.

I do not automatically round up grades with a .5 and above (for example: 89.5%). If you have exhibited excellent classroom behavior and constructive class participation throughout the marking period, your grade will be rounded (if applicable).

Homework

Expect to have Spanish homework each day. In the event that there is not homework, it is worth your while to spend some time reviewing recent material (i.e. studying flashcards, practicing spelling, using vocabulary in Spanish sentences). Unless I announce otherwise, I will not collect your homework. I will check for it at the beginning of class the day that it is due. In order to receive full credit for homework it must be complete and done when I get to your desk. There is no partial credit for homework, and late homework is not accepted. Remember, if you are absent I expect to see the last homework assignment given on the day you return. When we review homework in class, you must make corrections.

Materials

2. 3-ring binder with dividers and paper (minimum sections: notes, classwork, homework, handouts, journal entries) devoted solely to Spanish

You need to have a good Spanish-English dictionary. A verb book is a good idea for anyone going on to level 4 or taking Spanish in college. 501 Verbs is the best one, and will be an excellent resource.

If you keep the specified sections in your binder and put stuff where it should go, then you will be organized. Good organization helps you study more effectively. Label everything that goes in your binder with the date and the activity. Let’s be organized!!!

Leaving the room is a limited privilege that I am happy to extend to all of my students, when the time is appropriate. Ask for passes when the class is not engaged in an activity. However, do not abuse the privilege. Use the facilities before class, not during. Take care of business not related to this class outside of class, not during (including clearing absences). Overuse of passes, misrepresenting the purpose of the pass, etc. will result in the revocation of what very few pass privileges exist in my class. You must use the North assignment book pass section when you leave the room.

Participation is a vital part of this class. At least 75% of the class material is presented in Spanish, and that percentage will increase as the year progresses. You can therefore see the need to participate frequently and constructively. When working in groups, you should be an active member of your team and be speaking in Spanish whenever possible. Your participation grade is primarily based on how much Spanish you use. This ranges from your group work and presentations to asking to borrow a pencil. I will keep track of daily participation (speaking) which will be entered periodically. In order to do well you should volunteer, speak Spanish to me, and actively participate in speaking activities and group work.

Your overall participation will also affect your grade and involves: preparedness for class (i.e. materials present, homework completed), constructive involvement in the lesson and activities, your attitude towards everyone in the class, always working on Spanish when you are in this class, and speaking Spanish (even when it’s not required). You will be graded on your overall participation each quarter.

All projects and major assignments must be turned in on time. That is, it is due on the due date I announce during the hour you have Spanish. An absence on or before the due date does not result in an automatic extension on the project. If you are assigned a group project and a group member will be absent on the due date, please inform me ahead of time. Late projects will be marked down on full grade for each day it is late (for example, a one day late B project would receive a C).

Quizzes & Tests

It is easiest to learn a language a small amount at a time, so we will have small quizzes – both announced and unannounced – frequently. There are no retakes on quizzes; please make sure you spend time outside class studying and use class time wisely, so that you only need to review a little the day before a quiz.

Each chapter (or “Tema”) of your textbook is divided into two sections. You will have quizzes throughout each tema. Sometimes we will have a test that covers both sections together and other times you will be assessed on sections 1 and 2 separately (depending on the amount of material). Like on quizzes, there are no retakes on tests. We will always spend class time reviewing.

Tardiness

The GPN tardy policy is in effect in this class. Since you have a full 7 minutes to get to class, tardiness will not be tolerated. If you are late, you will stay after class for a minimum of three minutes.

· Anyone more than 2 minutes late will receive an automatic after-school detention of classroom community service lasting no less than 20 minutes.

· It is you responsibility to remember to stay after class when you are late. If you forget then the next day I would expect to see you after school.

· Additionally, excessive tardiness will also result in classroom community service detentions to be served with me. Excessive tardiness includes, but is not limited to the following:

· Remember that being 6 minutes tardy is an unexcused absence according to the school attendance policy, and three unexcused absences could result in you being dropped from the class with an attendance “F”. Never let anyone tell you that you don’t need a pass. You do!