Spanish 1 Pre-IB Syllabus 2014-2115 School Year Room 730

Mrs. Patricia C. Traynor: email: [email protected] . This is the MOST efficient way for both parents and students to contact me.

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Spanish and Hispanic cultures and to develop communication skills and cross-cultural understanding. Emphasis is placed on the four communication skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Website: Please visit my website at www.menendezhs.com in order to view important information such as classwork/homework assignments and test/quiz dates.

Materials: Students will be supplied an Avancemos Level 1 text,. McDougal Littell © 2007. This text should be kept at home for reference and homework assignments. A class set of texts will be used during class. Students will also be given an Avancemos level 1 workbook. Students are encouraged to access supplemental practice activities online by going to the website www.classzone.com. Each student will need a three-ring, three inch binder for class notes and handouts. This binder should be reviewed nightly by the student. A Spanish-English dictionary is not required. Students are also expected to have a writing utensil. Students are expected to bring their binder, workbook and a writing utensil to class on a daily basis.

Class Participation: This plays a very important part in getting the most out of this class. The following guidelines will ensure the best grade and greatest language acquisition: a) Constant attention to class activitie. Remain engaged! b) Active listening c) Enthusiasm for learning and a positive attitude d) Endeavoring to use Spanish whenever possible, even at home! e) Volunteering for classroom activities f) Being on task for all individual and group activities g) Asking questions when needed

Homework: Homework should be expected nightly and should be completed to the best of the student’s ability. It is due at the beginning of the following class meeting and will not be accepted for credit after the assigned date unless the student has an excused absence. Homework may be oral in nature, practicing the pronunciation of specific vocabulary or expressions. Flashcards are encouraged for the practice of vocabulary. Most units have flashcards on the classzone website. While tedious, rote memorization is very important to the acquisition of any world language.

Attendance: PMHS attendance and tardy policies will be followed. Since attendance is directly related to student achievement, students should miss class only when absolutely necessary. If you must be absent, please follow the make-up work policy below and check the class website for missed work.

Tardiness: Students are expected to arrive to class on time. This especially pertains to !st period students! School policy will be followed in regard to excessive tardiness..

Make-up Work: a) All make-up work/assignments/class notes are the responsibility of the student. b ) For all excused absences, assignments are due within 5 school days from the day you return to class, at the latest, and earlier if at all possible. c) Make up tests/quizzes are to be made up outside of class time within 5 school days from the date of return. Before and after school make-up opportunities will be posted weekly. Any work not made up within the five school days will be given a zero, without exceptions!

Classroom Rules: a) NO food or drink in the classroom. We do not want any uninvited guests in our classroom! b) No cell phones. I will not hesitate to confiscate visible cell phones. Cell phones are a distraction to yourself and others and detract from the learning process. Confiscated cell phones will be given to the dean’s office c) No backpacks on desks. Backpacks need to be closed and on the floor by your desk. d) No hall passes the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of class. Students are encouraged to use the restroom prior to the start of class. We have only 45 minutes to accomplish our daily goal. e) No work from other classes is to be visible or it will be taken! f) All submitted work must be clearly labeled with your name, etc.. g) Do NOT write on the desks or anything else that is not your property, h) Respect yourself, your teacher and each other.

The PMHS disciplinary procedures will be followed as outlined in your student handbook.

Grading: Grades will be calculated on a point system. A final grade is determined by dividing the total number of points accumulated by the total number of points possible. Points are based on tests, quizzes, homework, classwork and projects (if given). Extra credit will not be given on an individual basis and a student’s numerical grade must fall within the specified parameters to achieve a given letter grade. The state mandated grading scale is as follows: A 90-100 B 80-89 D 60-69 C 70-79 F 0-59 Tests and quizzes will be kept in a file folder that will remain in my office. Parents may view their student’s folder by appointment. Parents are strongly encouraged to use the Home Access Center (HAC) to view their student’s academic progress. Student grades are posted regularly in the classroom so that students are always aware of their current grade and any missed work.

County Assessments: The student will be expected to pass all county District Formative Assessments (DFA) and the county End of Course Exam (EOC)

Cheating & Plagiarism: All pre-IB students will be asked to sign an IB Honor Code. Students copying assignments or cheating on tests will not be given credit for their work. Plagiarism (stealing the ideas or words of another and passing them off as one’s own) will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade.. In addition, the use of online translators is not acceptable and will also result in a 0 for the assignment. In each instance, parents and the IB coordinator will be informed. Dismissal from the IB program is possible.