GRADING DESCRIPTIONS
Octavo grado
Classwork
Homework
Speaking
Quizzes
Exams
Total
10
10
20
20
40
100
CLASSWORK
10%
Your engagement is paramount to your learning. I will do my best to keep you alert so
that you can absorb my lessons. In order for me to assess whether or not you are learning
the vocabulary and concepts taught, I will ask you to contribute to the classroom dynamic
on a regular basis. You must show this knowledge when asked to complete activities in
Spanish in the classroom.
HOMEWORK:
10%
Practice sheets, workbook activities and any work unfinished in class may be assigned as
homework. These assignments will always be posted in the classroom for students to
write down except in cases of an unfinished classroom activity. It is the students’
responsibility to write down homework on a daily basis. For parents and students’
convenience, I also post homework online through the Red School Central School’s
Website redhookcentralschools.org. Click on LAMS, then faculty, then my name.
I will always have information posted in the classroom about upcoming assignments.
Please refer to that information periodically to stay on top of what we are doing in class.
Students are expected to turn in homework when it is due. This becomes your effort
grade so make sure you are completing your homework and putting in your Spanish
binder every night. I will not accept late homework. In the event of an absence,
students can show me the homework after returning to school, otherwise, the
assignment grade will turn into a zero.
QUIZZES 20%
You will be quizzed often on vocabulary and grammar. You are expected to prepare for
these events as these grades will determine your overall average. Some projects may
count as quizzes. If you do not do well on a particular quiz, you are required to get extra
help before taking an exam that will include that topic. All quizzes and exams are
cumulative—that means that they include all the topics previously covered, therefore,
you must review all your notes each time that you prepare for a quiz or exam.
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SPEAKING ACTIVITIES 20%
Each topic studied in the class requires that you perform a speaking task using the
vocabulary from that particular unit. After enough practice repeating after me, working in
pairs or in group, you will be expected to conduct speaking dialogues in Spanish. As the
case with quizzes, it is a major component of your grade.
EXAMS 40%
After thorough vocabulary and structure practice, including quizzes and speaking
activities, I will assign unit tests which are very comprehensive. They may include
listening activities as well as writing prompts. Because these tests are not given as often
as quizzes and other assignments, what you score on these tests will carry a lot of weight
of your overall average.
WRITING/COMPOSITIONS AND OTHER PROJECTS:
Each unit will require writing prompts in Spanish; and I may ask assign projects such as
making a restaurant menu or developing a travel brochure in Spanish. A rough draft of
these assignments will be grade first as homework or classwork, but the final version will
be graded as a quiz or test.
MID-TERM EXAM
There will be a mid-term exam in January. It will include all the topics covered in
seventh grade plus what I cover up to that point. START REVIEWING NOW!!!!!! Last
year’s handouts are still available online, you may begin to practice now.
FINAL EXAM
All the vocabulary and topics covered between 7th and 8th grade will be covered on the
final. Last year’s handouts are still available on my page.
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RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
AND PARENTS
EXTRA HELP
Students are expected to seek extra help when struggling with a particular topic;
that means when you fail a quiz; when you find that you can’t participate in
class and when you feel you can’t follow instructions. You must schedule an
extra help session to go over the material before a test is scheduled. This will
prevent another bad grade.
EXTRA CREDIT assignments are offered often and are always associated with topics
being covered in class. Write down these assignments and check online to stay up-todate.
ONLINE PRACTICE: ACCESS the websites that I use in the classroom for teaching
and activities to help you practice the material covered in class. A list of these websites is
available online on my page.
CLASSROOM MATERIALS NEEDED
Students must bring the following every day:
A) A 2 to 3-inch- three-ring binder divided as follows:
a) Vocabulary -for vocabulary lists.
b) Grammar -for vocabulary associated with grammatical structures.
c) Culture
-for handouts containing traditions and behaviors
from Spanish-speaking countries.
d) Activities -for classroom activities done on lose leaf, homework sheets and
the workbook.
B) En Español workbook and Textbook.
C) Writing utensils and some paper.
D) A composition notebook will be kept in the classroom.
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Please return just this page with the appropriate signatures below by Wednesday, September 15.
Students will receive a homework grade for turning this in on time. A copy of this newsletter will
be available online for your convenience.
I have read the welcome letter containing course information for Mrs. Pena-Perez’s
Spanish class for the 2010-2011 school year.
Student Name ________________________________Date_____________________
Parent Signature_______________________________Date___________________
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