Patrick Henry High School JAPANESE I
INSTRUCTORS: Ms. Kazuko Shiba, (Shiba sensei), GRADE: 9 - 12, HOUR: 1 & 5
ROOM: 215, VOICE MAIL: (612) 692-0354, E-mail: [email protected]
MAIN TEXTBOOK: Kimono 1, Kisetsu & Supplementary Katakana and Hiragana workbooks,
1. Course Description: This course is the first year in Language B in the Middle Year Program (MYP). The primary aim of this course is to encourage students to gain competence in Japanese. Students will begin to develop the ability to comprehend and produce simple statements through various practices and activities. Two types of writing systems; katakana and hiragana will be introduced. Students will gain some basic knowledge of Japanese art, culture, geography, history, and literature etc.
2. Course Objectives:Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Read both Katakana and Hiragana. Communicate basic personal information, ideas and opinions in Japanese. Understand and appropriately use structures and vocabulary. Have a better insight on Japanese culture (geography, life style, school and family life, holidays, etc.).
3. Course Requirement: Daily attendance with active participation in both individual and pair/group work. (Classroom participation will be closely monitored and graded everyday. If a student is not in the class for any reasons, s/he will not receive that day's daily in-class participation points (Up to 10 pts). Homework. Projects. Quizzes. Semester-end Final Examination
4. Required materials: Textbook (Kimono 1/Kisetsu) and supplementary packets. Pencils and / or pens (black and/or blue). Three-ring binder with some paper / notebook. (There will be a lot of supplementary worksheets and penmanship sheets throughout the course. In order to organize and keep good track, each student is required to have a 3-ring binder, not a pocket binder.) Student ID & the Planner.
5. Homework Policy: All homework must be turned in the following school day. In order to receive a full score (10), you must 1) Complete the task, 2) Do an excellent job, and 3) turn it in the following school day to the appropriate tray before the bell rings. Work turned in after the bell, will automatically receive one letter grade lower than the grade, had s/he turned it in on time. If there is no name on any of sheets turned in, that sheet will be tossed in the NO NAME folder, with no grade on it. It is your responsibility to put your name on your sheet to receive credit. "I" means "incomplete. And students with an "I" on their paper need to complete and re-turn in the following day to receive a credit. On either or both circumstances (No-Name and/or "I" paper) it will be considered as late work and will receive a lower grade. Work turned in more than 12 school days later than its due date, will not receive a passing grade.
6. Projects: Five projects will be assigned during the First Year Japanese Course. All components of each project will be conducted solely in Japanese, except the Project III, Japanese cultural Jeopardy . Project 1 - Class Directory. Project 2 - My Favorite Animal.
Each project will be assessed using “MYP Language B assessment Criteria for Language B - Foundation”.
7. Academic Responsibility: Bring all necessary materials to class; Textbook, pencil / pen, notebook and a 3-ring binder. Not having the required material(s) may result in you receiving lower daily in-class participation points. You will also receive a strike. * You may borrow sensei's pencil/pen, however, you need to exchange it with one of your shoes. Always listen to sensei when she is talking. Do not disrupt her class. Listen and read carefully, speak clearly, and write legibly. Take good class notes. Use your Planner wisely. NO PLANNER=NO PASS! No colored pencil / pen should be used on any paper to be turned in. Absolutely no red pens / pencils are allowed to be used on any written work. Only paper written on with a pencil will be graded. Always write your name (upper right), class and date (upper left), the unit and the topic on your paper. And double-space.
8. Make-up Policy: HOMEWORK: Pick up homework for any missed day(s) from the appropriate folder and check with sensei before the class starts. Turn in that homework on the next school day. That work will be graded in the same manner as if turned in on time. If a student feels longer make-up time is needed, then she/he must obtain permission from sensei. When a student misses a class on a day any assignment was due, it is expected that the assignment will be turned in on the first day the student returns to the class. Again, if a student feels longer make-up time is needed, she/he must obtain permission from sensei.
PARTICIPATION: When you inform sensei about an up-coming absence, if you obtain the assignments and complete that it prior to missing a class or classes, you will be given a full in-class participation points.
QUIZZES: Students are expected to make up any missed quizzes on the day they return. If this cannot be managed, they MUST inform sensei and make necessary arrangements. Make-up quizzes must be done within 3 school days. Students who wish to retake a quiz need to discuss that with sensei and may do so on a designated day. However, the highest grade given will be a B+ on any re-taken quizzes.
Excessive missing / incomplete work will result in serious consequences including academic detentions and ultimately an F for the course.
9. Grading Policies: Daily in-class performance 30% Homework 30% Quizzes 20% Projects 10% Final Examination 10%
A+/10: 97%~, A / 9.5: 93%~, A-/ 9: 90%~, B+/ 8.8: 87%~, B/ 8.5: 83%~, B-/ 8: 80%~, C+/ 7.8: 77%~, C/ 7.5: 73%~, C-/ 7: 70%~, D+/ 6.8: 67%~, D/ 6.5: 63%~, D-/ 6: 60%~,
1) The lowest quiz score will be dropped, if the students have no unexcused absence AND have turned in all assigned work on or prior to the due date. 2) For the official quarter grade, an "A+" will not be granted. Any students who achieved 93.0 % or higher will receive an "A".
10. Classroom Expectation: Be respectful to each other. Have manners. Watch what you say, when you say and how you say it. Learn to control your negative emotions. It may not be an easy task but we all need to try! Be on time. At the bell, students need to be at their assigned seats, not at the door, or at the pencil sharpener, but in her/his seat. Use your passing time wisely. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Any tardy of less than 5 minutes will receive one strike. If a student arrives late by 5 minutes or more, without a pass, s/he will face more severe consequences. (For example, an after school detention for 45 minutes.) Do not interrupt when sensei is teaching. * Raise your hand before answering or asking a question. No food, drinks or chewing gum. No letter writing, reading and / or passing while the class is in session. Treat things used or hung in the classroom carefully and with respect. *Students will be accountable for fixing any item if it is broken due to careless handling. Any repair costs, due to such an act, will be billed to the specific student responsible for the damage. Take good care of your materials. Replacement of a textbook costs about $40.00. Each worksheet is 5 cents per page. Be a good listener. Listen first, think, and then respond! Be seated at your assigned seat unless otherwise instructed. The bell at the end of the class does not dismiss the class! Sensei does! Wait for the appropriate closing remark. Keep your room clean. This is OUR room. Anyone who makes a mess will be responsible for cleaning it up either after class or school. Get permission prior to removing any cards, books and / or magazines etc. from the shelves.
*Students are absolutely not allowed to open sensei's drawer of her desk and cabinets. Be familiar with all the rules and regulations and expectations found in the Planner.
I expect that all the preceding guidelines will be followed when a substitute teacher is taking my place.
When a substitute teacher is taking the place of sensei, s/he will give your class daily in-class participation points. All of the students receive the same points on that day. Help the substitute teacher and everyone gets the 10 (A+) points!
11. Detention Policy: 3 strikes = OUT Students who receive 3 strikes will serve a 45-minute after-school detention with sensei, and a call will be made to your home. A detention may include, but is not limited to, sweeping the room, mopping the floor, cleaning the blackboard, helping others keep PHHS clean. When the offence is severe, the student will be sent to an appropriate administrator with a referral. Remember that when you cause an interruption in the class, you do not academically participate in this class. As a result, you will receive either zero or very low points on your daily in-class participation, depending when this incident took place.
12. Tutorial Session: Starting September 15, a tutorial session will be held every Wednesday. Students from the advanced levels and sensei will be available to assist you to do your homework or any Japanese work. This time may also be used for the academic detention.
13. Monthly Topics for the Fall Semester: Sept. - Greeting -1- Introduction to Japanese reading and writing (Katakana) "Where is Japan?" Self-introduction -1- Numbers 0 - 99 "What is your name?", "What is your ID number?"
Oct. - Name Card Hiragana "How old are you?" Yes / No questions PROJECT 1
Nov. - "I like Animals." Body parts , Colors PROJECT 2
Dec. - Birthday and Chinese zodiac sign "Nenga-jo" Japanese New Years Card
Jan. Address “Please come to my birthday party!” End of the Fall Semester
Students: I have read the entire syllabus (Course Description / Expectation) and am ready to do my best in learning Japanese with sensei and my classmates.
Print: Date:
Sign: Class: JPN 1:
TO PARENTS / GUARDIANS:
Please read the entire Course Syllabus: Course Description / Expectations, sign below and have your child return this sheet to Shiba sensei by Tuesday, Sep. 14 th .
Whenever a question or concern arises, please DO NOT hesitate to contact me. You may leave a message on my school voice mail at (612) 692-0354. Please make sure that your message includes; 1) your name, 2) your child's name and her/his class, 3) your telephone number (and its extension number, if applicable). You may also send me an e-mail at the address given at the top of the first page. I will try to return your call/mail in a timely manner.
I would also like to be able to contact you, should the need arise. Therefore, please provide your phone number(s) where I can reach you during the daytime. * If you are unable to be reached during the daytime, please provide a relative's or close friend's name and her / his phone number.
No matter what your background of learning languages is, please be assured that you can be a great help to your child. Please specifically ask your child each day what s/he learned in Japanese class. Please consider studying Japanese with your child and be a student with her / him. Please encourage her /him to attend the tutorial sessions regularly and / or become my aide.
If you have any concerns / comments / questions now, please write them at the bottom of the back page. I will try to respond to you as quickly as possible.
Parents / Guardians: I have read the Course Syllabus (Course Description / Expectations) and understand my child's responsibilities including monetary ones. I will support and participate in my child's education with you. Name
Print: Relation: last first
Sign: Date:
Daytime Phone Number(s):
Home phone number : ( )
Cell Phone number : ( )
Work number : ( )
Emergency : ( )
E-mail address (if applicable):
Please sign and return this page back to sensei by Tuesday September 14th.
Thank you.