Cordova High School
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
World Languages Department
Course Expectations
Course Title: Spanish 2
Teacher name: Luz Mendez-Barrera
Teacher contact info: LMendez@fcusd.org
Teacher website:
(916) 294-2450 Ext. 810485
http://www.fcusd.org/Domain/3801
Course description: Please visit the following website for more detailed information: http://www.fcusd.org/Page/2173
Grading policy:
Students in 9th and 10th grade will be assessed using MYP assessment and final grade policies.
We expect you to actively participate in your own learning by completing ALL of your assignments. Not all of your work
is graded. Some assignments give you the opportunity to practice your skills; others allow you to demonstrate your
mastery of the subject specific standards. Although your final grade is based on summative assessments, your
performance on formative assessments will prepare you for the summative assessments and will also guide instruction
in the classroom.
Formative Assessments
Formative assessments occur after small amounts of
instruction while the students are making meaning of new
concepts. The feedback is nearly immediate and helps
students integrate new information with previous
knowledge. Formative assessments also help teachers
adjust instruction to best meet the needs of our students.
Formative assessments are powerful tools that can help
improve a student’s understanding.
Examples of Formative assessments can be:
Class work, warm-ups, interviews, homework, quick writes,
quizzes, Socratic seminars, and exit tickets.
Summative Assessments
Summative assessments occur at the end of a large chunk of
instruction. The results may take a while to be returned to
the students. The purpose of summative assessments is to
help a teacher evaluate a student’s mastery of learning goals
for the unit of study. Summative assessments occur less
frequently than formative assessments. Summative
assessments will be given at the end of each 5-6 week unit
of study.
Examples of Summative assessments can be:
Chapter exams, embedded assessments, essays, unit exams,
presentations, projects, and final exams.
MYP assigns four criteria to be assessed within the Language Acquisition course. Each criteria will be assessed two (2)
times per semester. When more than one criterion is assessed in a task, there will be multiple grades (one grade for
each criterion).
Language Acquisition Criterion –
- A: Comprehending Spoken and Visual Text
- B: Comprehending Written and Visual Text
- C: Communicating in Response to Spoken, Written and Visual Text
- D: Using Language in Spoken and Written Form
Please refer to the Cordova High MYP section of the website for additional details.
Citizenship –
Your citizenship grade will be based upon:
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Your participation
your preparedness
Your adherence to CHS’s Learner Profile. Cordova Lancers strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
Classroom rules:
RESPECT! – I am a believer that one should act and treat others as you wish to be treated. We value each other as
humans, learners, citizens and individuals from different walks of life. We respect our differences and celebrate our
qualities and uniqueness. Respect is an important core value among the Spanish Speaking community. Therefore, it
serves as a learning component to the class. To help high light some of what the expectations are :
No unnecessary comments that degrade, disrupt, offend, belittle myself or peers.
Cell phone use during lectures, groups work, listening and speaking practices. NO PICTURES or RECORDINGS of anyone
in my class will be allowed.
Any behavior that makes anyone in the class feel un safe.
Any behavior that hinders the learning of the rest of the class.
As your educator I commit to giving you the same respect.
Discipline –
Positive and productive behavior is expected from you. If your choices in the classroom detract from your ability to
learn, or interfere with the learning of others, we will take measures to help you alter your behavior. These measures
(progressive discipline) include, but are not limited to, verbal warnings, communication with your parents/guardians,
and behavior reflection in another classroom.
As a last resort, you might be suspended from the class or sent to administration with a referral. Some behaviors may
result in an immediate suspension if they are particularly dangerous or unacceptable.
Attendance –
You are expected to attend class regularly. It is difficult to help you learn when you are not present. Language
Acquisition relies heavily upon class participation and interacting with your fellow language learners.
You are expected to be in your seat and working when the bell rings. If you walk in as the bell rings or your materials are
not ready, then you are late. You will remain seated until dismissed (regardless of when the bell rings).
You are responsible for checking the course website for notes or missed assignments, and for arranging with the teacher
to make-up work, in the event that you are absent.
Late work –
If you are absent from school, you will be given two (2) days for each day of absence to make up any work without
consequence, in accordance with the district’s policy. Formative assignments may only be effective if they are
completed in a timely manner. It is in your best interest to complete all assignments on time to ensure your progress in
your language study and preparation for the summative unit assessments.
Make-ups of summative assessments must be completed within two weeks of the end of the unit of study. It is the
student’s responsibility to arrange a time with the teacher to complete the make-up assignment.
Electronics policy –
World Language classes are all performance and participation based, and electronic devices will seriously affect your
progress and success in these classes. Use of cell phones for educational purposes during class time is strictly at the
teacher’s discretion within their classroom.
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Cell phones, ear buds, headphones and any other electronic devices are not allowed in class, unless cleared by
the teacher for educational purposes or a specific activity.
All electronics and ear buds/headphones must be put away when you enter a World Language classroom.
There is no charging of cell phones allowed in class.
If visible, the teacher may confiscate the item and lock it in a secure place for the remainder of the period or the
day. It is your responsibility to collect the item from the teacher.
**Please note**
The classroom teacher is not liable for any lost, stolen or damaged electronics
Audio/Visual recordings policy –
Two of the MYP criterion assess competence in the spoken language, so students may be asked to record their
assessments, either as audio voice recordings, or video recordings. These recordings are solely for the use of the
assessment and evaluation. These recordings will not be played back for any audience and are strictly for use by the
teachers of the CHS World Languages department to assess the students’ language skills.
Materials –
A composition notebook is required for the class. I have some available for students who cannot get to a store to buy
one. You must come see me to discuss options if you cannot get a composition notebook. This notebook is required as a
means for organization, communication and monitoring of progress in the class.
A textbook will be checked out to you at the beginning of the year to take home for use. In most cases, there will be a
class set of textbooks in the classroom.
A workbook will also be checked out to you at the beginning of the year. If you would like to purchase the workbook, so
you may write in it, you must take the workbook to the student store and pay for it. They will scan the barcode and sell
the book to you for the following prices:
Spanish Que Chevere workbooks (levels 1-3) - $15
Spanish grammar workbook (for SL course) - $18
If you choose to NOT purchase the workbook, you may NOT write in it, and you must return it to the library at the end of
the school year, in the same condition it was checked out to you.
Students are expected to have:
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A composition notebook – for grammar and vocabulary notes
A folder (3-ring report folder) for handouts
Other recommended materials include:
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Pencil, pen (blue/black) and a red pen for corrections
Highlighter
Index cards for flashcards