SPANISH 1 & SPANISH 2 COURSE SYLLABUS

FRIENDLY HIGH SCHOOL | MR. MINOT | 2010 - 2011

E-mail: daniel.minot@pgcps.org | Class Website:
http://minotspanish.wikispaces.com/

Course Introduction
¡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. I have extremely high
expectations for you, and you should expect that I will push you to achieve your maximum
potential in this class. I look forward to working with each and every one of you throughout
the school year.

Why Study Spanish?

Speaking a foreign language opens up endless possibilities and
opportunities to you as future scholars and leaders in this world. Knowledge and
proficiency in a foreign language will pave the road for future success, employment
opportunities, travel/social/cultural experiences, as well as admission to competitive
colleges. A strong foundation in Spanish will prepare you for the rest of your life – It will
expose you to foreign countries and cultures and empower you to participate as active
members of our diverse and global community.

Course Goals
In this course, you will learn to listen, read, write, and speak in Spanish. Throughout this
year, you will gain a greater understanding of Hispanic culture and the Spanish language.
The BIG GOAL for all students is to achieve an overall average of 80% mastery of
vocabulary, grammar, and LSRW (listening, speaking, reading, writing) in order to
prepare oneself for success in future levels of Spanish and for life beyond high school. Most
importantly, we will emphasize both personal responsibility and strong academic
study habits throughout the year so that you are empowered to take charge of your own
education and experience success not only in Spanish, but in other classes – and outside of
school – as well.

Classroom Rules & Expectations

We will develop this together as a class but it will be based on the 5 P’s: Be Positive,
Prompt, Polite, Prepared, Productive

Class Materials
√ 3 Ring Binder with 4 labeled dividers for Warm-Ups, Classwork, Exit Slips, Tests &
Quizzes
√ Loose Leaf Paper
√ Pens and Pencils
√ Spanish-English Dictionary (While not required, it would be extremely helpful!)

World Language Grading Policy

35% Classwork (Attendance, Participation, Professionalism, Warm-Ups, Notes)
20% Homework (Exit Slips & Take-Home Projects)
45% Assessments (Tests & Quizzes)
*Students and parents will be able to track individual grades online through SchoolMAX.

Classroom Policies & Procedures

√ Work Bell to Bell: Learning time is precious and cannot be wasted. I expect you
to work from the ringing of the first bell through the ringing of the last bell. You will be
dismissed by me, not by the bell.
√ Entering the Classroom: As soon as you enter the classroom, I expect you to
sign in on the Attendance Sheet, pick up your Passport/Stamp Chart (to be explained
later), and pick up any handouts or packets on the front table. You should be in your seat
by the time the late bell sounds.

√ Warm Ups: You must write down the Daily Objective and complete your
Vamos (Warm-Up) in your binder within the first 10 minutes of class. The Vamos must
be completed in its entirety or you will receive NO CREDIT.
√ Classwork: You will receive a maximum of 40 points per day for your
classwork. Your classwork grade will be calculated each day using the following stamp
chart and will be collected every 5 class periods:
DIA DE LA PREPARATIO VAMOS NOTES PROFESSIONA
SEMANA: N LISM
Finished Warm Took all notes
On time to class Up in first 10 and completed Respect/No talking
minutes of class all classwork No electronics
FECHA: Brought binder, No profanity
pen, and all Keeping head up
materials to class

√ Tardies: If you arrive late to class, you must present a pass before entering the
classroom. You must then sign in on the Attendance Sheet under the Tardy section. If
you are continually late to class, you will receive a phone call home. Since maximizing
our learning time is so important, if you arrive late to class, you will lose all Preparation
Points for the day.
√ Using the Restroom: You are permitted to use the restroom only in cases of
emergencies. You are responsible for all missed classwork during that time.
√ Absences: If you have an UNEXCUSED absence, you will receive a zero on all
assignments that day. If you have an EXCUSED absence, it is your responsibility to ask
Mr. Minot for make up work during the Warm-Up. If you do not ask for make up work
during that time, it is expected that you go to the classroom website after class or at
home to print off the assignments for yourself (http://minotspanish.wikispaces.com/). If
you miss a test or quiz, you are expected to speak with Mr. Minot the day you return to
class to arrange a time to make it up after school, or else you will receive a zero.
√ Exit Tickets: Just as you have a Warm-Up at the beginning of each class, you
will have an Exit Ticket at the end of every class. This will be an independent
assignment (5 to 10 questions max) that you will complete during the last TEN minutes
of class. They are designed to test your knowledge of what we covered in class and also
give me a sense of how well the class understood that day’s lesson or objective. Exit
tickets will count towards your homework grade.
 √ Electronics: There are to be absolutely no electronic devices visible or used in
the classroom. If you take a device out in class after an initial warning, it will become my
property, and you will lose all Professional Points for the day.
√ School Uniform: All students are expected to come to class in accordance with
Friendly High School’s Uniform Policy.
√ Copying & Cheating: Academic integrity is very important both in high school
and beyond. As per school policy, cheating will result in an administrative referral and a
zero will be given for the assignment or exam.
√ Cursing: There is to be no profanity or any other inappropriate language or
behavior in the classroom. The classroom is a safe place and no one should ever be
made uncomfortable by someone else’s words or actions.

Negative Consequences severity of the offense.

√ Verbal Warning
√ Student/Teacher Discussion
√ Phone Call Home/Parent Conference Positive Incentives
√ Administrative Action / PS-74 Referral √ Daily Praise & Encouragement
√ Name Posted on Star-Student Board
Note: Mr. Minot reserves the right to √ Positive Phone Call Home
alter the √ Country Points / Class Competitions
sequence of consequences depending with Prizes
on the
I understand and am aware of all the policies, procedures, and expectations that
students must abide by in our Spanish class. I pledge to put forth my best effort in
Spanish class in order to achieve both our class goals and the individual goals I set for
my own success throughout the year.
Student’s Printed Name Student’s Signature
Parent’s Signature
_______________________________ ______________________________
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