Alhambra High School 2009-2010 Syllabus & Management Plan

Course: Spanish 2 Instructor: Profesora Pederson Teacher’s e-mail: [email protected] Teacher’s website: http://www1.martinez.k12.ca.us/ahs-staff/~spederson/ Alhambra Website: http://www.martinez.k12.ca.us/ahs/ Practice Website: http://www.phschool.com/atschool/realidades/program_page.html

A. Course Description: Spanish 2 is the second course out of a series of five that are offered at Alhambra High School. The class includes grammar, speech patterns, sentence structures, and basic vocabulary used in every day life. By the end of the course, students will be able to have simple conversations using the present tense. Students will learn about music, art, literature, culture, and geography of Spanish-speaking countries.

B. Course Goals: 1. To develop the receptive language skills of speaking, listening, and reading through various activities. 2. To acquire the productive skills of speaking and writing a foreign language. 3. To provide students with insights into structure, history, and vocabulary of the Spanish language through literature and audiovisual materials. 4. To expand the student’s world-view by comparing, appreciating, and understanding different cultures. 5. Emphasize communication in the foreign language as both the main objective and the continuing enabling activity of classroom learning.

C. Course Objectives: By the end of Spanish 2 students will: * Use the language lab to improve oral proficiency * Describe self and others * Name and describe clothing articles * Describe physical characteristics of himself/herself and others * Use present tense verbs including stem-changing and additional irregular verbs * Discuss future plans * Know sports vocabulary * Receive directions and give instructions * Use city vocabulary * Complete at least one culture project * Know all question words/Ask questions * Name items and activities done in the home * Use reflexive verbs * Speak of actions that occurred in the past (completed and ongoing) * Speak of actions that are occurring now (present progressive) * Use the direct object pronoun correctly * Give and receive positive and negative commands

D. Required and Suggested Class Supplies:

1 1. Three-Subject spiral notebook used only for this class. This can be used as paper as well if pages can cleanly be ripped out. No spiral paper shavings please. *Section 1: Used for Verbs *Section 2: Used for Notes and Vocabulary *Section 3: Used for Warm-ups and homework/scratch paper. 2. Pens & pencils 3. Paper 4. Binder or folder to place returned handouts and returned homework. 5. Personal Tissues 6. Refillable water bottle 7. White board marker, colored pencils, markers (optional)

E. Grading Procedure: Quizzes/Tests/Final Exam 70% Written Work/Homework 15% Oral Proficiency/Daily Participation/Attendance 15%

GPA at Alhambra High School is based on a letter grade only scale. It is as follows: 90-100% = A 80-89.9% = B 70-79.9% = C 60-69.9% = D 0-59.9% = F

Grading Scale for averaging of Semester grades and a more precise view of achievement 93-100% = A 73-76.9% = C 90-92.9% = A- 70-72.9% = C- 87-89.9% = B+ 67-69.9% = D+ 83-86.9% = B 63-66.9% = D 80-82.9% = B- 60-62.9% = D- 77-79.9% = C+ 0-59.9% = F

Student must earn a 60% (a D-) or better in the class to earn five credits each semester. First semester will include all of the assignments from first and second quarter. Grades will not start over until second semester.

In order to move on to the next level the student must have a grade of a C, 75% or better and have the recommendation of the instructor. In addition, the test grade average and the end of the year proficiency test as well as the final test must have an average of approximately 75% or higher. These additions ensure that the student will be successful in the following year.

To check grades go to http://www1.martinez.k12.ca.us/ahs-staff/~spederson/ then check on “check grades.” You will need the student’s term (term 1 is semester 1 and term 2 is semester 2 if the choice is given.), period, last name and password. Please e-mail or see me if you need the password.

F. Homework Policy/Make-up:

2 Homework will be assigned most days of the week. It will be anything from pages in the workbook, activities out of the textbook or working on the practice website. The student should have the assignment completed at the beginning of the class period and will have his/her work looked over when the bell rings and checked for completion by the teacher. Homework should be typed or neatly written. Homework will not be accepted if it is incomplete. Any incomplete work will be returned to the student and will receive no credit until it is completed. If the incomplete assignment was turned in on time the student has two days to turn it in for half credit. If the assignment was one day late, they have one additional day to turn it in for half credit. If it is already two days late the incomplete assignment will receive no credit. Make-up work is due two days from the date of the return from absence, after which point it is late. Late work is accepted up to two days after the due date for 1/2 credit. After the second day, the assignment will not be accepted. If the student has a question regarding this policy see the instructor. Copying of homework, and/or test, and/or using an online translator will result in a 0 (for both parties) and a referral to the Principal.

In the case of an absence: It is the student’s responsibility to find out was missed when they were absent. There are several ways to do this: 1. Call a friend 2. E-mail teacher 3. Look online at the online grades. Teacher many times enters homework and leaves it blank until the class turns it in. In addition, in class the student can look at board and calendar to see that day’s work. If the student is absent on the date of a test or quiz they have one week to make that quiz/test up. After which time, they will receive a zero. Make-up test days must be scheduled with the instructor. Skipping the designated/chosen make-up time may cause the student to receive a 0 and not be able to make-up the work. This is under the discretion of the teacher.

G. Student Responsibilities: 1) Attend class every day on time and have homework ready. 2) Have classroom materials (paper, pens, text, workbooks). 3) Be prepared to contribute and have a positive attitude. 4) Try their best at acquiring the Spanish language. 5) Meet with teacher or peer if there is a problem or they do not understand something. 6) Make up homework, tests, and quizzes quickly upon return from absence. 7) Observe all class and school rules. 8) Practice on text website. http://www.phschool.com/atschool/realidades/program_page.html

H. Special Classroom Amendments: 1. Please refrain from talking when the teacher is talking. 2. Raise your hand and be recognized before speaking. 3. . Do not argue with profesora Pederson! Instead, talk to her after class. 4. . Under no circumstances will disrespectful, racist, homophobic, sexist, or weight comments be made or demonstrated. 5. Each member of the class must show respect for each other, the teacher, and their property. 6. All personal grooming needs to be done outside of the classroom. 7. Absolutely no gum, food, seeds, or drinks (except water). 8. Cell phones, Ipods, and any other electronic devices should be kept in the off position and not be seen when in class. Not doing so will result in loss of the item(s).

3 I. Consequences: Consequences are as follows but may change based on degree/type of problem: 1. Losing daily class points 2. Verbal Warning 3. Short one-on-one meeting to discuss problem 4. A call home 5. Referral to the Vice Principal -Required to stay in class during intervention period -Consequences will be given as stated in the school rules -If student is defacing school property (writing on their desk, wall, etc…), the student will be required to stay during lunch or after school to clean the classroom. -Detentions are given at lunch and/or after school and may include cleaning.

J. *NEW* Intervention Schedule This year there will be an intervention class approximately every 2 weeks. The students that stay for the 30 minute class are at the discretion of the teacher. Students who be required to stay include: 1. Students who need to make up a test or quiz 2. Students who have any missing homework 3. Students who seem to be behind on the content of the class 4. Students that have misbehaved or wasted time in class 5 Students that wish top stay to complete work or want to ask for help from the teacher or other students 6. Any student a teacher asks to stay

K. The Language Lab & Textbook Website: The language lab is used to improve oral skills in Spanish. Each class will go to the lab approximately once a week. It is important that no food, gum, or drinks enter the lab. Also, only pencils may be used on written assignments. Failure to follow any rules in the lab will result in severe consequences including but not limited to expulsion from the lab for that day.

There is a great website that aligns with the textbook chapters. It has audio files, vocabulary and grammar practice, games and quizzes to help with any topic of any chapter. It is recommended to use this website regularly. Sometimes the teacher will assign using this website as homework. The site is: http://www.phschool.com/atschool/realidades/program_page.html From this page, choose the Spanish level then choose the chapter and topic desired.

L. Hall/Bathroom Passes: It is extremely important to be in the class at all times. Therefore, passes will only be given out in case of emergency. Any trips to the office, or other errands must be done outside of class. Please use the bathroom in between classes or lunch. If the student has a medical issue please give the teacher a note from his/her doctor showing that the student needs to leave the room frequently to use the restroom.

M. Concerning Heritage speakers of Spanish: I will do my best to place you in the best class possible. If I find the class you are enrolled in is too easy for you I will place you in a more advanced level.

N. Tutoring: If you feel that you are getting behind contact me immediately. If you learn what you were confused with right away you can catch up quickly. If you do not seek help it will be harder and

4 take longer for you to catch up to the rest of the class. I am available for tutoring by appointment. There are also elected student tutors you can choose from. Get a list of these at the counseling office. We can also meet during the intervention time to catch up.

5