IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SPANISH CLASSES:

Señora Leblang

Welcome to your Spanish class!Let’s work together to have a great school year. Please read the following information carefully,then have your parent/guardian read it and complete the student information form.

Each consecutive semester of foreign language study becomes more intense and demanding in its curriculum objectives.In order to learn effectively and make good grades in this course, you will need to study every night and do all assignments. Our goal is to develop proficiency in Spanish, and proficiency requires lots of practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Current graduation standards in Georgia require two units of the same foreign language for those students who want to graduate with the college preparatory seal on their diplomas.Foreign language grades count just as much as English, math, science, and social studies grades when student grades are computed for HOPE Scholarship eligibility!

GRADING POLICIES:

50%Test gradesAll tests will count in computing your test average—none will be dropped.

50%Daily gradesThese include oral grades, classwork, homework projects, small daily vocabulary and grammar quizzes, and notebook checks.Please note the following:

1.All assignments that are handed in to be graded must be neat, complete, and done in

blue or black ink.Graded work done in pencil or in an ink color that is not blue or black will be penalized 30 points after one warning.

2.Homework is an essential part of preparing well for class, and students should do all assignments with their best efforts. Homework assignments, such as worksheets and textbook/workbook activities, will be reviewed and corrected in class.These will be used for periodic graded notebook checks and as study aids.Students may work together on these practice assignments, but one student should not simply copy the work of a friend! The textbook is online, and computer exercises will frequently be assigned for practice.(The media center has computers available for students who do not have computers/Internet access at home.)

3.Because of numerous problems with some students copying the work of other students and with the misuse of translation websites, I will only grade work done in my presence or in the presence of my substitute teacher. I will, however, often check to see that each student in doing all the homework assignments.Detentions will be assigned after a student fails to complete two homework assignments in a marking period.That student can then do the missing assignments in Tuesday detentions.

4.I will drop your two lowest daily grades at the end of each marking period if you return your grade printout with a parent’s signature.(Remember:some daily quizzes are “daily doubles” and count as two grades.)

**There will be no extra credit projects or assignments.

TUTORIALS;

Tutorials are available in my room on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. until the beginning of homeroom and on Thursdays from 12:40 until the end of lunch.

TESTDAY AND DETENTION DAY:

The school-assigned test day and detention day for Foreign Language is Tuesday.At times tests may be rescheduled due to the holiday calendar.Students will have several weeks’ advance notice for a major test on a day other than Tuesday.Tests normally occur every two weeks.

CLASS RULES:

  1. You must come to class prepared to learn. You must bring your Spanish textbook (covered), your Spanish notebook, a blue or black pen for assignments and a red pen for corrections to every class. You may not eat, drink, chew gum, or have candy in the classroom.
  2. You must participate actively in class learning activities. You must be on time and on
task.We will cover the entire textbook this year, so you must work hard all the time!
3.You must always practice courtesy and good manners with the teacher and with others.

Students whose rude and disruptive behaviors interrupt the learning process for the class will be sent to the office or to another teacher’s class.Parents will be contacted.

4.You must be responsible for your own learning, so practice good study habits.All assignments, quiz dates, and test dates are put on the board for you to copy on the first class day of each week.Make sure you copy all information into your notebook, and then look at it so that you are well-prepared!Do all assignments, pay attention in class, copy all information from the board and from the overhead projector, take notes, and ask questions.Get help when you need it, and do not let yourself fall behind.

5.Important things to remember:

**It’s due when it’s due!All projects/presentations must be handed in or presented on the due date unless you have an excused absence and bring a note from home when you return.

**YOU are responsible for making up all work (assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.) when you are absent.Get notes from other students.Please let me know in advance if you have a field trip scheduled so that you can get your work before you leave.

**I do not tolerate cheating of any type!!Borrowers and lenders of information will both get a grade of zero.This rule applies to all tests, quizzes, and assignments and is NOT negotiable.The SCPS administration has also informed students of additional consequences of cheating. (These policies are in the student handbook.)

With your cooperation, we can work together as a team to maximize your skills development in Spanish.Remember:knowing another language can help you find a good job and enjoy your travels!

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