These materials were sent home with each student during the first week of school
Parent Letter
Dear Parent and/or Guardian, August 2014
Hello! My name is Ms. Harry and I am lucky enough to have your child in my Spanish 1 class this year. My particular style of teaching is based on three principles: setting high expectations for every student (which includes encouraging them to be proactive and take personal responsibility for and ownership over their own education), showing respect for all students and expecting respect in return, and last, but certainly not least, having open lines of communication with parents or guardians.
You can use the information at the bottom of the page to get in contact with me should you ever have questions about your student. I will make every effort to return your phone call or e-mail as quickly as possible. Lastly, I will be posting all class assignments to our course website on a regular basis (http://harryspanish.weebly.com) in order to keep you and your child informed about what is going on in the classroom each week. Sign up for class reminders at https://www.remind.com/join/lharry
Please also know that I am available after school for extra help from 3:30-4:00 on Tuesday and Thursday to work with students after class should they need further clarification on the lessons.
I have provided your student an outline of classroom rules, procedures, and expectations. Please read through the material and sign the bottom of the course syllabus. To help me serve your student better, I would be grateful if you could also fill out your contact information below as well as answer the survey questions below. Please have your student return this to me along with your signature on the syllabus.
Once again, please feel free to contact me anytime via phone or e-mail should you have any questions or concerns. My contact information can be found below. Lastly, I am excited for this school year and cannot wait to begin my work with you all!
Ms. Harry
Spanish Teacher, West Point High School
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Website: http://harryspanish.weebly.com
Phone: 662-788-1146
Parent/Guardian Survey Questions
___________________________________
Print Student Name
____________________________ _______________________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian phone number
What can I do to help you and your student succeed this year?
What are your student’s strengths and weaknesses?
Hello! My name is Ms. Harry and I am lucky enough to have your child in my Spanish 1 class this year. My particular style of teaching is based on three principles: setting high expectations for every student (which includes encouraging them to be proactive and take personal responsibility for and ownership over their own education), showing respect for all students and expecting respect in return, and last, but certainly not least, having open lines of communication with parents or guardians.
You can use the information at the bottom of the page to get in contact with me should you ever have questions about your student. I will make every effort to return your phone call or e-mail as quickly as possible. Lastly, I will be posting all class assignments to our course website on a regular basis (http://harryspanish.weebly.com) in order to keep you and your child informed about what is going on in the classroom each week. Sign up for class reminders at https://www.remind.com/join/lharry
Please also know that I am available after school for extra help from 3:30-4:00 on Tuesday and Thursday to work with students after class should they need further clarification on the lessons.
I have provided your student an outline of classroom rules, procedures, and expectations. Please read through the material and sign the bottom of the course syllabus. To help me serve your student better, I would be grateful if you could also fill out your contact information below as well as answer the survey questions below. Please have your student return this to me along with your signature on the syllabus.
Once again, please feel free to contact me anytime via phone or e-mail should you have any questions or concerns. My contact information can be found below. Lastly, I am excited for this school year and cannot wait to begin my work with you all!
Ms. Harry
Spanish Teacher, West Point High School
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Website: http://harryspanish.weebly.com
Phone: 662-788-1146
Parent/Guardian Survey Questions
___________________________________
Print Student Name
____________________________ _______________________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian phone number
What can I do to help you and your student succeed this year?
What are your student’s strengths and weaknesses?
Syllabus
West Point High School
E-mail: [email protected]
Class Website: http://harryspanish.weebly.com
Remind 101: https://www.remind.com/join/lharry
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
1. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak or stand 2. Respect the teacher and classmates 3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself 4. Grooming is for the bathroom 5. Be Positive, Prompt, Polite, Prepared, and Productive
Class Materials
World Language Grading Policy
30% Daily Grade (Attendance, Participation, Professionalism, Warm-Ups, Notes)
50% Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Exit Tickets, Projects, Presentations)
20% 9 Weeks Exam
*Students and parents will be able to track individual grades online through Active Parent and Active Student.
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: Enter the classroom silently, take your seat, and begin the Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer). You should be in your seat by the time the late bell sounds.
Vamos: You must write down the Daily Objective and complete your Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer) in your composition notebook within the first 7 minutes of class. The Hacer Ahora must be completed in its entirety or you will receive NO CREDIT.
Daily Grade: You will receive a maximum of 100 points per day for your classwork. Your daily grade will be calculated each day using the following stamp chart.
Tardies: If you arrive late to class, you must present a pass before entering the classroom. 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 only permitted to use the restroom only in cases of a documented medical excuse. 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 get make up work from the Trabajo (absent files) folder for the day you were absent during the Hacer Ahora. You may also go to the classroom website after class or at home to print off the assignments for yourself (http://harryspanish.weebly.com/). If you miss a test or quiz, you are expected to speak with Ms. Harry 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 an Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer) at the beginning of each class, you will have at least 3 Exit Tickets each week. This will be an independent assignment (5 to 10 questions max) that you will complete during the last 5-10 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 assessment grade.
Electronics: There are to be absolutely no electronic devices visible or used in the classroom. If you take a device out in class, I will 1. Submit it to the office and your parent must pay to pick it up or 2.) You will receive 2 days OSS for refusing to surrender your phone. You will lose all Professionalism Points for the day.
Dress Code: All students are expected to come to class in accordance with West Point High School’s Dress Code. If you fail to adhere to uniform policy, you will lose all Preparation Points for the day.
Copying & Cheating: Academic integrity is very important both in high school and beyond. As per school policy, cheating will result in parent contact 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 environment and no one should ever be made uncomfortable by someone else’s words or actions.
Negative Consequences
Rewards
Course Objectives:
1. Engage in basic conversations using memorized vocabulary and expressions in order to provide and obtain personal information in the target language.
2. Understand short spoken and written materials which use familiar vocabulary and structure in the target language.
3. Use familiar vocabulary and basic structures, present information to an audience of listeners or readers in the target language.
4. Develop awareness of the target culture’s way of life
5. Recognize products that are representative of the target culture.
6. Apply knowledge of the target language to enhance learning in other disciplines
7. Understand that the study of a language other than English provides an additional knowledge base
8. Examine differences and similarities in structures and vocabulary between English and the target language
9. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
10. Identify means of using the target language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
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 to achieve both our class goals and the individual goals for my own success this year.
_______________________________ ______________________________ _______________________________
Student’s Printed Name Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature
E-mail: [email protected]
Class Website: http://harryspanish.weebly.com
Remind 101: https://www.remind.com/join/lharry
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
1. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak or stand 2. Respect the teacher and classmates 3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself 4. Grooming is for the bathroom 5. Be Positive, Prompt, Polite, Prepared, and Productive
Class Materials
- Composition Notebook (for Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringers), Classwork, Exit Slips, and Quizzes)
- This is absolutely essential in order to ensure you are prepared, organized, and successful in this class!
- Pens and/or Pencils
World Language Grading Policy
30% Daily Grade (Attendance, Participation, Professionalism, Warm-Ups, Notes)
50% Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Exit Tickets, Projects, Presentations)
20% 9 Weeks Exam
*Students and parents will be able to track individual grades online through Active Parent and Active Student.
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: Enter the classroom silently, take your seat, and begin the Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer). You should be in your seat by the time the late bell sounds.
Vamos: You must write down the Daily Objective and complete your Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer) in your composition notebook within the first 7 minutes of class. The Hacer Ahora must be completed in its entirety or you will receive NO CREDIT.
Daily Grade: You will receive a maximum of 100 points per day for your classwork. Your daily grade will be calculated each day using the following stamp chart.
- PREPARATION (20 points) - On time to class & in dress code, brought composition notebook & pen/pencil
- VAMOS (10 points) - Wrote down the Objective and finished Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer) in first 7 minutes of class
- NOTES (40 points) - Took all notes, participated, and completed all classwork without cheating
- PROFESSIONALISM (30 points) - Respect/No talking, No electronics, No profanity, Keeping head up
Tardies: If you arrive late to class, you must present a pass before entering the classroom. 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 only permitted to use the restroom only in cases of a documented medical excuse. 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 get make up work from the Trabajo (absent files) folder for the day you were absent during the Hacer Ahora. You may also go to the classroom website after class or at home to print off the assignments for yourself (http://harryspanish.weebly.com/). If you miss a test or quiz, you are expected to speak with Ms. Harry 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 an Hacer Ahora (Bell Ringer) at the beginning of each class, you will have at least 3 Exit Tickets each week. This will be an independent assignment (5 to 10 questions max) that you will complete during the last 5-10 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 assessment grade.
Electronics: There are to be absolutely no electronic devices visible or used in the classroom. If you take a device out in class, I will 1. Submit it to the office and your parent must pay to pick it up or 2.) You will receive 2 days OSS for refusing to surrender your phone. You will lose all Professionalism Points for the day.
Dress Code: All students are expected to come to class in accordance with West Point High School’s Dress Code. If you fail to adhere to uniform policy, you will lose all Preparation Points for the day.
Copying & Cheating: Academic integrity is very important both in high school and beyond. As per school policy, cheating will result in parent contact 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 environment and no one should ever be made uncomfortable by someone else’s words or actions.
Negative Consequences
- Verbal Warning
- Loss of Professionalism Points
- Call Home/Parent Conference
- Administrative Action / Referral
Rewards
- Daily Praise & Encouragement
- Name Posted on Star-Student Board
- Positive Phone Call Home
- Raffle Tickets / Class Competitions with Prizes
Course Objectives:
1. Engage in basic conversations using memorized vocabulary and expressions in order to provide and obtain personal information in the target language.
2. Understand short spoken and written materials which use familiar vocabulary and structure in the target language.
3. Use familiar vocabulary and basic structures, present information to an audience of listeners or readers in the target language.
4. Develop awareness of the target culture’s way of life
5. Recognize products that are representative of the target culture.
6. Apply knowledge of the target language to enhance learning in other disciplines
7. Understand that the study of a language other than English provides an additional knowledge base
8. Examine differences and similarities in structures and vocabulary between English and the target language
9. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
10. Identify means of using the target language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
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 to achieve both our class goals and the individual goals for my own success this year.
_______________________________ ______________________________ _______________________________
Student’s Printed Name Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature