ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â

E-mail:  debra.morris@yourcharlotteschools.net                 Phone:  575-5453 ext. 7026

Text:    Avancemos I                                                            Room: A309

Course Description

Spanish I is an introductory level class.  Prior knowledge of Spanish is not necessary.  However, living in Florida, I have found that some students may have had some exposure to the language and that is okay.  The class will focus on grammar basics, the development of vocabulary and practical application of the language.   The emphasis on Spanish 1 is communicating primarily in the present tense with some projection of the future.  Communicating in the target language as well as developing a Spanish ear will be reinforced daily and as skills and vocabulary develop, writing and reading will be focused on as well.  Cultural similarities and differences will be discussed to develop and promote a cross-cultural understanding and respect.

Course Prerequisites

The prerequisites are open-mindedness and a willingness to learn. Other than that, there are none.

Course Objectives

 My goal for Spanish 1 students is to develop confidence in expressing themselves in the target language on selected topics like self, school, family, just to identify a few and also to develop what I call a Spanish ear (comprehension of what they hear).

Course Outline

• The topics emphasized will include greetings, likes and dislikes, the calendar, weather, numbers, verb meanings, time, physical description, classroom objectives, school schedule, places, transportation, and family.
• The Grammar Golden Rule -"everything for the most part must agree in gender and number" will be reinforced the entire school year as well as subject verb agreement.
• An awareness of Spanish-speaking countries, their capitals, geography, nationalities, culture and history will be developed continually during the year.

Attendance

Attendance in class is necessary for many students to excel.  The more actively a student is involved in class, the more practice they will have to comprehend the material and the more opportunity they will have to apply what they have learned in class, should earn them a stronger grade.  I would like to encourage students to attend class regularly.  If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to obtain and complete make-up work in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.  Refer to attendance and unexcused absences in the Code of Student Conduct for grading policy about make-up work and unexcused absences. 

Tardies

Students will be marked tardy and excused if they enter the classroom late with a valid pass.  However, if students enter class after the bell without a pass, they will be marked late unexcused. Students should not come to class and drop off their backpack and then go to the bathroom and return to class minutes after the bell rung without permission from the teacher first.  If a student comes to class 15 minutes late without a pass, they should expect to be written up for skipping class. Refer to the Code of Conduct for consequences of unexcused tardies.  

Behavior

Students are expected to be attentive and respectful to themselves, others and teachers during class.  School policies regarding behavior and discipline will be implemented.  The following is a list of A309 classroom rules:

1. Students are to enter class appropriately and be seated when the bell rings.
2. Students should always have their supplies daily. The notebook is important to have every day.  Notes may not be taken daily, However, they are referred to daily.
3. The use of cell phones is not permitted in class.  There is a NO tolerance policy for cell phones from bell to bell during instructional time.  I will adhere to and follow the school procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct for use of cell phones in class by a student.
4. No food or drinks (except water bottles) is allowed in class.

Grades

Grades are based on a total point system.  Each assignment is designated a point value prior to being assigned, and every project has a rubric which is discussed at the time it is assigned.  Categories are not weighted.    Grades are calculated from homework assignments, classwork, quizzes, tests and projects.  The computer simply adds up the total points the student has earned for the assignments turned in and divides that score by the total possible points the student could have earned to calculate the student’s grade.

Homework is an effort grade.  Did the student complete the assignment as per directions?  Did the student turn the homework in on time?  Homework will be collected at the beginning of each class.  If a student cannot produce the assignment at that time, it will be counted as a zero.  Students attempting to complete their homework assignment at the beginning of class on the day it is due will receive an incomplete grade which equates to a zero.  Homework will not be accepted later in the period on the day it is due.  Did the student complete the entire homework assignment?  If there are 10 questions, the student must complete all 10 questions to receive credit for completion.  Partially completed homework will result in an incomplete assignment, which equates to a zero.   I will gladly collect any assignment from a student for corrections. However, if it is submitted late, it will not receive credit.  Homework literally should take no more than 10 minutes providing that the student has an organized and an up-to-date notebook.  The ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â Code of Student Conduct addresses student absences and make-up work policies.

All tests are given prior notice so that the student will have an opportunity to plan and study for the information that will be contained in the test.  Most quizzes are also given prior notice. However, I do reserve the right to give pop quizzes.

Projects are generally a writing assignment or a writing assignment/presentation.  The purpose of these projects are to reinforce and apply vocabulary and grammar learned.  In today’s technological society students are quite savvy with Google translate.  This is not acceptable.  Therefore, in the event that there is a verb tense, a vocabulary word or grammar structure that has not been covered in class, is not contained in the student notebook or textbook in chapters covered or has not been covered in previous years the student is not allowed to use it.  The student will be given a zero. However, the student will be able to come in after school to rewrite their assignment and turn it in for a grade. There will be a 15% deduction in the overall grade.    I have always told students if in doubt just ask.  If a student feels strongly about something that they wish to convey in their writing assignment but has not learned that word to date, teacher approval is sometimes granted.  Cheerleading is probably the number one word that the girls ask about.

Extra credit assignments are not offered to compensate for low grades.  However, extra credit points can be earned throughout the marking period.  I encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunity as it arises.

Passes

Students will be allowed to use the restroom during class, but at a price.  They will be required to leave their phones in the classroom while using the restroom.  Due to the fact that there will be no passes in the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of class, students will not be able to drop their belongings off in the room and ask to go to the bathroom before the bell.  If they choose to do this and do not make it back inside the classroom before the bell rings, they will be marked tardy.

Any other passes to the media center, another classroom, office, etc. will be at the teacher's discretion. 

CELL PHONE POLICY - ALL CELL PHONES WILL NEED TO BE IN STUDENTS' BACKPACKS AND BACKPACKS WILL BE PLACE ON THE FLOOR AT THE START OF EACH CLASS.  IF CELL PHONES DO NOT MAKE IT INTO THE BACKPACKS AND STUDENT IS FOUND WITH THE POSSESSION OF A PHONE DURING CLASS THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED:

• I WILL ASK FOR THE STUDENT TO TURN HIS OR HER PHONE TO ME AT THE TIME OF THE INFRACTION. 
• I WILL FILL OUT THE PROPER FORM AND GIVE A COPY OF THE FORM TO THE STUDENT.
• I WILL TURN THE PHONE INTO THE DEAN'S OFFICE AND THE STUDENT IS TO PICK IT UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.
• IF THE STUDENT REFUSES TO HAND OVER THEIR PHONE, I WILL WRITE THEM UP ON A REFERRAL FOR INSUBORDINATION.

EARBUDS will follow the same protocol as cell phones.