Español I, III y IV
Señora Tucker
email: ttucker@helenaschools.org
Phone: 324-2256, Room 15
My website:
http://hhs.helenaschools.org/teachers/ttucker/
My goals this year are to encourage all students to be good citizens, to instill in you a sense of curiosity and openmindedness about the world and other cultures, and to inspire you to become lifelong seekers of knowledge. Learning
Spanish doesn’t happen overnight – it demands consistent study and persistence, but every student who commits the
time and effort required will succeed. Language learning is a skill, just like playing the piano or basketball. You must
practice in order to improve.
The Spanish curriculum features an integrated textbook with audio, DVD, workbook materials, and a companion website
(check out www.my.hrw.com). We also use supplementary materials such as leveled readers, magazines, newspapers,
films, infographics, pop music, YouTube videos and other materials to learn Spanish.
Classroom Rules & Bengal Expectations
Be Responsible!
1. Come to class prepared. Regular attendance and preparation for class are crucial to successful language study.
Complete your homework before class and practice Spanish outside of class as much as possible.
2. In addition to a positive attitude (), bring the following materials to class daily:
a. A binder filled with loose-leaf paper and with sections for the ¿Sabes Qué?, Vocabulary, Notes, and
Homework, a pen or pencil and your homework assignment. The textbooks will stay in the classroom
this year. Students may sign out a textbook for out-of-classroom study at any time.
Be Involved!
1. Participation is both speaking and listening. Your participation makes class more interesting for everyone. I
expect you to speak, read, write and listen in Spanish and to work cooperatively with all classmates daily.
2. You are expected to try to speak Spanish from the time you walk in the door until the time you leave. You will
be evaluated on your ability to produce the language, so it is best to practice as often as you can.
3. Our goal this year is to conduct the class 90% in Spanish. My job is to make that class time completely
understandable for you. Your job is to do your best, ask questions, and tell me if you don’t understand.
Be Respectful!
1. Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of Room 15. In short, treat others as you wish to be treated.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given. Raise your hand to speak when we are working as a whole class.
3. Food or drink, with the exception of bottled water, is not allowed in the classroom unless otherwise specified.
4. No cell phones or other personal electronic devices may be used in class unless instructed by your teacher.
The HHS electronic device policy will be observed and enforced.
Be a graduate!
1. Learning a foreign language opens so many doors. Colleges and universities see that you are willing to consider
the world from other perspectives, employers see language ability as a valuable skill, and being able to
communicate in another language allows for endless travel adventures! Spanish credits count as an elective
towards earning the 21 credits needed to earn your diploma.
The Golden Rule
Wherever you are in the world, treat others as you wish to be treated. I will not allow a student’s behavior to interfere
with another’s opportunity to learn or feel respected. If you cannot meet classroom expectations or follow directions,
you will first receive a warning. If you continue to make poor choices, you will have a 20 minute detention with me at
lunch or afterschool. If your behavior continues to be a problem, we will call home together and I will write a referral so
you can deal with your administrator.
Tardies, Absences, and Makeup work
1. Tardies: Be on time and working when the bell rings. Every day, as soon as you enter the classroom, you will
complete a warm-up exercise called ¿Sabes Qué? [You know what?]. I follow the tardy policy outlined in the HHS
Handbook (4 free tardies – the 5th you own me a detention).
2. Absences: If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to get, complete, and turn in or get credit for any missed
classwork, quizzes / tests and homework assignments (including the ¿Sabes Qué?). When you are absent, check
my webpage to see what you’ve missed (http://hhs.helenaschools.org/teachers/ttucker/). All assignments,
classwork and daily PowerPoints are posted on my website by the end of the day. When you return, check the
absence binder in the front corner of the class to find copies of worksheets, ask your study buddy what you missed,
and write “ABSENT” on the top of any work you hand in so it is not marked late.
3. Makeup work: In accordance with Helena High’s student handbook, you have 2 days to submit makeup work for the
first day of absence, 1 day for each day of absences thereafter. If you are in class when a test/quiz is announced but
are absent the day before the test/quiz is administered, you are still expected to take it on the scheduled day.
Academic Integrity, Grading and Late Work
4. Academic Integrity: It is common to want to produce perfect Spanish and the temptation to use an online translator
such as Google Translate is big. Nevertheless, mistakes are an important part of the process of language learning. I
want to see what YOU know, not the work of an online translator, of a friend, or of a native speaker. “Working
together” that leads to duplicate work receives a zero. If your academic integrity is called into question on a written
assignment that counts as a quiz or test grade, you will be required to redo the assignment during a detention and
we will call home together.
5. Grades: Grades are based on the total points earned from a combination of written tests, quizzes, oral assessments,
presentations, readings, homework, ¿Sabes Qué?, and class participation. The following grading scale will be used:
90% – 100& = A
80% – 89% = B
70% – 79% = C
60% – 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Daily assignments (homework, classroom exercises, participation, etc.) are worth 5 points. ¿Sabes Qué? sheets are
graded every other week and are worth 10 points. Quizzes are given 1-2 times a week and are worth 20 – 50 points.
Chapter or cumulative tests vary in format from paper-based to interactive speaking & listening assessments. They
are worth 100 – 125 points.
6. Late Work: Any work turned in late (any time after the start of the class period it is due) will be given a 60%. You
have 5 school days to turn in homework late. After that, it is marked a zero. Please recognize this generous offer.
Communication
I strive to be accessible to students and parents. My teacher website is
http://hhs.helenaschools.org/teachers/ttucker/. I also use Remind.com to email and text students about
upcoming assessments. This is a one-way phone number created by Remind.com for school-related reminders. To
subscribe to Remind.com, follow the directions below for the class you are in:
 Spanish I students and parents/guardians should text “@holaclase” to the number 81010 or send an email to
holaclase@mail.remind.com to subscribe via email.

Spanish III students and parents/guardians should text “@quebueno” to the number 81010 or send an email
to quebueno@mail.remind.com to subscribe via email.

Spanish IV students and parents/guardians should text “@nomedigas” to the number 81010 or send an email
to nomedigas@mail.remind.com to subscribe via email.
Please feel welcome to contact me at ttucker@helenaschools.org or 406-324-2256. This HHS telephone number has
a voicemail that I check daily. I try to respond to emails within one school day but may not check email on the weekend.
Work smart, study and review daily, follow directions, ask questions, do your
homework and most importantly: use Spanish every chance you get! A year of new
knowledge and discoveries await you!