Cloonan Middle School
8th Grade – Spanish 2
Ms. Valendra
(MValendra1@ci.stamford.ct.us)
Course Description:
In Spanish 2, we will continue to learn how to communicate about many aspects of your
daily life in Spanish! We will continue complete many assignments and projects and work
together often. Students should expect an interactive classroom where positive attitudes
and participation are required for learning. The themes we cover are as follows:
Unidad 5: Bienvenido a nuestra casa
Unidad 6: Mantener un cuerpo sano
Unidad 7: ¡Una semana fenomenal!
Unidad 8: Una rutina diferente
Course Expectations:
Students in Spanish 2 are expected to develop their communication skills in Spanish
(including reading, writing, presentational speaking, informal speaking and listening), and
to begin to use these skills to communicate about their daily life and the world around
them. Students are expected to come to class prepared, on time and ready to learn. Due to
the unique challenges of learning another language, it is essential that students maintain a
positive attitude and a high level of participation in this class, as well as complete all
assignments on time.
Primary Text: ¡Avancemos! 1b
Gahala, Estella, Patricia Hamilton Carlin, Audrey L. Heining-Boynton, Ricardo Otheguy, and Barbara
J. Rupert. Avancemos 1b. Evanston, Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2007. Print.
Additional Materials:
1. Space in your binder for Spanish class.
2. Notebook paper for class assignments and note taking.
3. A folder in your binder for handouts.
4. Writing utensils.
5. A composition notebook (that stays in Spanish class).
6. A Spanish dictionary. We have several we use in class, so your Spanish
dictionary can stay at home or where you do your homework.
Helpful Resources:
my.hrw.com  online textbook website
quizlet.com  interactive tool for creation of flashcards
valendra.weebly.com  Ms. Valendra’s website with relevant course info.
wordreference.com  online dictionary
Grading Plan:
Weekly Quizzes: 40%
Students should expect one or two short, in-class quizzes per week. These assessments
will make up a large portion of your grade.
Tests / Projects: 30%
Students should expect one to three projects and one or two tests per quarter. One of
the tests will be a district-wide quarterly exam. In the fourth quarter, students will
have an additional cumulative final exam.
Class Participation: 20%
Students should be in class, on time, with required materials and ready to learn and
participate. Participation can mean anything from singing and composing and
presenting skits, to playing a variety of educational games and performing many
educational activities. Learning a language is fun! It also required immersion in the
language, which is why your behavior, effort and willingness to participate in this class
counts for a significant portion of your grade.
20% - student is always on time, prepared and respectful of the classroom
environment and his / her peers. Student is always willing and ready to learn and
participate to the best of his / her ability and maintains a positive attitude.
16% - student is usually on time, prepared and respectful. Student always
completes work, but does not participate fully in class activities.
12% - students is sometimes late or unprepared for class. Student completes some
classwork, but does not work to his or her full potential.
8% - student is often late or unprepared for class. Student completes some
classwork with much reminding. Student does not work to their best potential, and
often chooses not to participate in class activities or behave appropriately.
4% - student is usually late or unprepared for class. Student rarely does assigned
classwork, is not respectful of the learning process, and does not work to their full
potential or behave appropriately.
Homework: 10%
In addition to studying for weekly quizzes and completing long-term projects, students
should expect small homework assignments two to four times per week. Homework is
important to help reinforce and review the material we learn in class. Homework will
be checked at the beginning of each class during the warm-up, and students will earn a
grade for completion. Homework will be reviewed in class, and may be collected
occasionally for further review.
Course Policies:
Student Work: Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class time on
a regular basis. All students are expected to attempt all assignments and hand them in on
time. All students are expected to complete their own work. While students may certainly
ask family and friends for help on content, please remember that your work is your own.
Composition Notebook: Students will be required to bring a composition notebook to class
that will stay in class. You will be expected to complete specific in-class assignments in this
notebook. This notebook is not to be used for class notes. Notes belong in the Spanish
section of your binder.
Group Activities: You will be working in groups on a regular basis. Your group will be
given cooperative learning activities to complete. You will be expected to be an active
member of your group and participation points will be assessed accordingly. You will
always be graded as an individual; however your group may earn points together that will
lead to a reward.
Extra Credit: Opportunities for extra credit may be offered from time to time. Extra credit
is extra work for students who are very hard working, but may need to improve their
average on a case-by-case basis. Extra credit will not be offered to students with low
averages due to low participation or homework grades.
Absences: If a student is absent, it is his / her responsibility to get all late work from the
teacher and return it in a timely manner.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is expected in this class at all times. Copying another students’ work,
handing in work that is not your own, or using a translator service for any portion of an
assignment is unacceptable. Consequences for academic dishonesty will result in no credit
given for that assignment with no opportunity for resubmission and will be reported to the
appropriate administrator as well as a parent or guardian.
I have read and understand the rules for Ms. Valendra’s Spanish class.
Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________ Date:__________________
Student Signature:_____________________________________
Date:__________________