Spanish 5/6 Maestra Klatt BHS 2011-2012 COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW This course is designed to provide students

with the opportunity to communicate effectively in Spanish in culturally appropriate ways. Spanish 5/6 will focus on all components of language development: speaking, listening, writing, reading, and understanding cultures. A great deal of time will be spent practicing real life situations in Spanish with the teacher and classmates. Some themes that will be studied include: describing emergencies, crisis, rescues, heroic acts, movie plots, food, cooking, outdoor activities, traveling, professions and ecological issues. You will use and build on what you learned in your first year(s) of study. This course aims to provide the student with strong foundations upon which he/she can successfully advance to Spanish 7/8. MATERIALS A successful student will come to class daily with the following materials: Spanish only notebook Pens and pencils, including a red pen for corrections Plastic pouch for flashcards; one or two plastic sheet protectors to use for games Colored markers or pencils (a set of 12 is fine) One or two white board markers and a sock/whiteboard eraser Glue Covered textbook Realidades 2 (replacement cost: $75) Workbook Realidades 2 (replacement cost: $10) CLASS PARTICIPATION AND NOTEBOOK (20% of grade) Participation and notebook are graded based on a rubric, which is summarized below. Be on your mark, seated and ready to work when the bell rings o notebook out with the date in Spanish o sharpened pencil or pen in hand o homework ready to correct with red pen o textbook out o keep all non-Spanish class materials (such as grooming materials or makeup) put away Use Spanish to communicate with classmates and teacher Do not disrupt class and/or engage in private conversations Begin activities within given time limits Be an active learner: sit up, listen, ask and answer questions, follow the speaker with your eyes Take notes. Make your paper look like whats on the board or overhead. If I write it, you write it. Work from bell to bell Stay seated unless activity requires movement Participate fully and according to instructions in partner activities Keep phones on silent mode and completely out of reach and sight Have excellent attendance NOTEBOOK Keep your Spanish notebook in chronological order, with the date in Spanish for every day (example: viernes, 19 de agosto). You should include all class activities, homework, and notes. Glue all handouts into your notebook. Work for other classes or personal issues should NOT be in this notebook. Notebooks will be collected periodically for credit.

HOMEWORK (15% of grade) Expect homework daily (a minimum of 15 minutes each evening). It will be written on the board and posted on Schoolloop (technical difficulties do not excuse assignments). Common assignments are the following, but can include others: Workbook/textbook activities Studying vocabulary Online practice on Quia.com or other websites To receive credit and a verification stamp, written homework must be: o in the students Spanish only notebook o completed before entering class. o corrected with red pen when reviewed in class. Failure to make all corrections will result in zero credit for assignment. QUIZZES AND TESTS (50% of grade) You are expected to be prepared every day. Quizzes and tests will not always be announced in advance. Quizzes (20% of grade) will generally cover: Vocabulary, grammar, oral, reading, writing quizzes Projects Presentations Grade weighting Tests 30% Tests (30% of grade) will be given on larger topics, Quizzes 20% such as Participation and notebook 20% Chapter tests Homework 15% Compositions (letter writing, paragraphs, Final exam 15% etc.) Grading scale 97-100 A+ 93-96 A 90.0-92 A-

87-89.9 B+ 83-86 B 80.0-82 B-

77-79.9 C+ 73-76 C 70.0-72 C-

67-69.9 63-66 60.0-62

D+ D D-

59.9 or below F

ACADEMIC HONESTY Refer to BHS policies and honor code. In addition, plagiarism and any extensive use of electronic translators are not permitted, and will receive a grade of zero. RULES In addition to the rules of conduct outlined in the BHS student handbook, the following are expected class behaviors: Use of electronic device results in automatic detention. Each student receives two bathroom passes per semester. Unused pass can be turned in at the end of semester for 5 extra credit points each on final exam. Lost or stolen passes will not be replaced. ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES Class attendance is highly correlated with academic performance. This is even more important when learning Spanish because the language is live and interactive and usually cannot be reproduced in other settings. A tardy is defined as not being seated before the bell rings. Refer to BHS student manual for policy regarding detentions due to tardies.

MAKE-UP WORK (only for excused absences) It is your responsibility to obtain make-up work, notes, and announcements when you are absent. Homework should be turned in or checked off with me within the same number of days you missed. It is also your responsibility to make an appointment with me on the day of your return to schedule any test or quiz within three days. Tests/quizzes will be given at lunch, and by appointment after school. Students and parents are encouraged to schedule medical, personal, and other appointments outside of class time, particularly on days of tests. Alternate versions of tests may be given as make-ups. OFFICE HOURS I will be available at lunch and after school by appointment. I urge you to request my help when needed and before its too late. CONTACT INFO: The best way to contact me is through schoolloop email. I do not use voicemail messages. PLEASE READ AND SIGN BELOW By signing below, you agree that you have read, and are willing to follow the class procedures for Sra. Klatts Spanish 5/6 class. You and your parents are welcome to include any comments, concerns or questions on this sheet. Your homework is for you and your parent/guardian to sign below, return this sheet, and glue the rest in your notebook as a reference. Thank you. ____________________________ (student printed name) ____________________________ (student signature) ____________________________ (parent/guardian signature)

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