¡Bienvenidos! I am lucky to have you in my class this year and I am excited to get started. This year we will learn Spanish through a focus on language and culture and a strong emphasis on listening, reading, writing, and speaking. We will learn Spanish keeping the following two statements in mind:
- We are global citizens who learn to help make the world a better place and who understand the value that learning a foreign language provides us.
- We are empowered students who take charge of our own education and who work respectfully and collaboratively in order to reach common learning goals.
Materials
It is required that students bring on a daily basis:
1. One notebook
2. One (1) 3-ring binder
Classroom Rules & Expectations
In order to be academically successful this year, we must respect ourselves, one another, and the classroom. Our expectations this year are based on the 4 P’s:
1. PROMPT: Be seated and silent at your assigned desk when the bell rights, and begin work on “¡Vamos!”
2. PREPARED: Bring the necessary supplies (listed above) every day.
3. POLITE: Use appropriate academic language-no put downs, teasing or swear words. Leave the room as you found it. Keep hands and objects to yourself.
4. PRODUCTIVE: Follow all directions the first time they are given. Use all your class time to improve your Spanish language skills!
World Language Grading Policy
20% Classwork (Warm-Ups, Notes,worksheets, workbook)
25% Interactive notebook
10% Participation
25% Assessments (Tests, Quizzes)
20% Book work
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
50 and below F
Late Work: All late work must be turned in by the end of the unit. When a new unit begins, no late work from the previous unit is accepted.
· If homework is not turned in during the class period when it is due, it is considered late. Turning it in during lunch or after school is considered late.
· Late work without a parent/ doctor excuse will be downgraded 50%.
· Late work which is attached to a parent or doctor excuse (or copy of) will receive full credit.
Extra Credit: Extra credit is offered to students who have completed all their given work.
Classroom Policies & Procedures
In order to create the best learning environment possible where every student has the chance to succeed, we must follow certain policies and procedures.
1. ENTRY: Students should always enter the classroom before the bell rings and be in their desks by the time that the bell rings. Upon entering the classroom, students SILENTLY should take the following steps:
1. Enter the classroom.
2. Turn homework into the appropriate class turn-in bin on the communication table
3. Sit in assigned seat
4. Begin ¡Vamos! (Opening activity).
2. LATE ENTRY: Students who enter late should SILENTLY:
1. Open the door slowly.
2. Sign the tardy log on the communications table.
3. Turn homework into homework bin.
4. Place pass in Late Pass bin.
5. Walk from the back of the room to take assigned seat.
6. If there is time, complete ¡Vamos! If the ¡Vamos! is over, the student may not make it up.
7. Whisper to table partner to find out how to catch up with class.
3. HOMEWORK: Each homework assignment is worth 10 points. Students should located their homework in their desk and patiently waiting for me to check them.
4. USING THE RESTROOM: Students should take care of their personal needs between class periods. If it is an emergency, students may follow the procedure below:
· Raise hand during work time only (not during note-taking time).
· If granted permission by Ms. Elenbaum, students should silently make their way towards the communications table.
· Sign out in the “Bathroom/ Hall Pass” Log and take the “Baño Pass” from the wall.
· Use the restroom and return within five (5) minutes.
** Only one student at a time may use the restroom.
5. HALL PASSES: Students should arrive to class with all necessary supplies, as no locker passes will be written. Students are not permitted to leave the room without teacher permission. If Ms. Ramirez allows a student to leave the class
6. SPEAKING: Only one person should be speaking at any given time in the classroom, unless group work is taking place. If the teacher is speaking, students may share a comment or ask a question by raising his or her hand and waiting to be called on. Because we respect everyone’s opinion, we want to make sure each person is heard clearly.
7. GROUP WORK: Students will work in groups of 2-5 on a weekly basis. Unless otherwise notified, Ms. Elenbaum will create the group. These groups will change frequently, and students must work within the group he or she is assigned. If a student refuses to work in an assigned group, he or she will be asked to call his or her parent on the spot or will be given a negative consequence.
8. TEST TAKING: When tests or quizzes are given, students must remain silent in order to allow their classmates to concentrate. If students are talking or being disruptive during a test or quiz, they will receive a 10-point deduction from their final score and be asked to take the test in another classroom. If a student is caught cheating or giving answers, they will have their test taken from them with no opportunity to retake it.
9. ABSENCE POLICY: As soon as a student knows that he will be absent for any reason, he or his parent should write Ms. Elenbaum an email at [email protected]. If Internet is not accessible, the parent or doctor should write a note to give Ms. Elenbaum when he returns to school. This note should be stapled to any late homework and turned into the “Late Work” Box. Upon return to school, student should copy notes from a classmate or from the “While you were out” binder (on communication table). Be sure to check with a friend or on the class website (see top of syllabus) for missed homework. Please note, the STUDENT is responsible for seeking out the teacher for make up work.
10. FOOD AND DRINK: All food and drink (except water) is prohibited inside the classroom. Students who enter with food or drink will be asked to throw it away.
11. EXIT POLICY: When Ms. Elenbaum asks students to prepare to leave:
1. Put away all personal supplies (writing utensil, paper, etc.)
2. Straighten desk into row or group where you found it at the beginning of class.
3. Check below and around your desk for scraps of paper/ garbage. Pick them up and hold them at your desk.
4. Sit silently in your desk and wait to be dismissed.
5. When dismissed by Ms. Elenbaum (not the bell), stand to the side of your desk and calmly walk out of the classroom.
11. Plagiarism
In my classroom PLAGIARISM is defined as using Internet on-line translators, on-line translation services, word-processing translation programs, and handheld translators. While it may seem that using an online translation service is an easy way to do translating work, it will actually waste your time. The translator does literal translations- not idioms or expressions, which all languages have. It translates word for word, which may not give the meaning they wish to convey. It will also include conjugations of verbs that they have not yet been taught. I will rather help them than have them use any type of translating program!
Therefore, they are not permitted to use any of these media forms to complete assignments. However, they may use dictionaries, reference materials, and spell-check features within word-processing programs. They may also consult with tutors and fellow classmate, but they may NOT copy another person’s work (including homework) and pass it off as their own. Any assignment that does not adhere to these regulations will receive zero in addition to a disciplinary referral to the principal.