Greenbrier High School
Curso: Español I
Profesora Richards
Salón: 104
Normas y reglas de conducta (Rules and procedures)
Contrato.
Mission Statement: You are here in Spanish class to learn not only a language but also a way of life.
Course objective: The objective of this course is to develop basic communication skills in Spanish, so
that you become prepared to face real life situations. Since one of the goals of this class is to help you
convey a message in Spanish, the assignments will be graded on how clearly and accurately you can
conveyed the message using what you’ve learned in class.
Being able to communicate in Spanish requires that new language be placed in long-term memory. New
material – both vocabulary and grammar - needs to be reviewed EVERY NIGHT for at least 15-30
minutes. Flashcards are recommended for vocabulary practice. It is most helpful to have someone else
drill the flashcards with you- parents can help with this even if they do not know Spanish.
Materials required: In order to get the most of Spanish I class the student will need:
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Class fee: 10.00.
Spanish Club Fee: 2.00 (Please make separate checks for this fee and the class fee)
Textbook (provided by school)
One small notebook to write homework assignments in (steno or smaller.)
One 2”three ring binder EXCLUSIVELY for Spanish 1.
Dividers to keep notes organized.
A FULL EDITION Spanish-English dictionary. Not a compact or pocket dictionary.
Lined loose-leaf paper (a lot)
Black or dark blue pens ONLY and white out (correction pen).
Mechanical pencil (preferably)
Manual pencil, manual pencil sharpener and eraser.
Flashcards (a lot)
Colored pencils and/or markers
Pobre Ana by Blaine Ray
1. The above items should be brought to the classroom every day.
2. **Supplies will be checked on August, 31st 2015 (Except Pobre Ana) **
Workbooks: I have put together workbooks because the textbook company does not provide them
anymore. These workbooks took a long time to prepare and they are very delicate. I will assign one
workbook per student but they will have to be shared with another group (one binder belongs to three
students.) The students will be assigned a workbook at the beginning of the semester and his/her name
will be written on the back of the front cover. The three students will be responsible for anything that
happens to their binder regardless who did what. If the binders are torn for misuse, the students will have
to pay for the binder or bring a three inch binder to replace it. If there are any pages missing, the students
will have to pay one dollar and fifty cents per missing page. If the binder gets destroyed the students will
have to re-make the binder at their own expense and it will have to be returned to class within one
business day.
Power school: Check your grades and compare them with your graded papers. If there is a discrepancy
TALK to me and show me where the mistake was made and I will fix it.
Quizzes: Will be announced.
Makeup date for quizzes: The Spanish department has established that AFTER School hours or during
“CAT time” will be the ONLY times to take a missed quiz/test given during the week. No quizzes or
tests will be given during class time.
Revised by Department Chair
I strongly recommend a “study buddy” Having a “study buddy” to help explain what went on while you
were absent will relieve some of the frustration you may feel due to missing class. Get your classmates’
phone numbers.
Homework: Homework is essential for you. Practice is crucial for language learning so you will have
homework (Tarea) assignments most nights. In order to be successful in this class, it is essential that
homework be completed every night and to the best of each student’s ability.
As soon as you enter the classroom and BEFORE you go to your desk you MUST place the
homework on the blue tray on my desk.
During the semester I will give homework passes. Those will allow you to be exempt from homework in
case of some major reason that did not allow you to complete an assignment. Homework passes do not
count as a grade; you will be excused from the missing homework. REMEMBER!!! They won’t be allowed
to replace “Cultura” homework.
There will be some homework assignments that are to be made on a computer and print out. Those
assignments will have two or more days to be turned in, remember that there are plenty of computers
around school for you to do this kind of assignments or you can go to the public libraries to do homework.
Class activities: Interacting with others and participating in class activities is essential in order to learn a
language. Expect to work alone, in pairs, in teams, and as a whole class.
Communication is an important part or learning a language. Students will earn oral participation points
by talking in the target language in class, participating in classroom discussions in the target language,
and doing oral presentations and skits.
Students must not be afraid to make a mistake; the best learning comes from making mistakes. Be
assured: we all make mistakes sometimes. The student must talk in Spanish in order to learn!!!
Individual Activities: They will be mostly handouts and audio activities we will do during class and they
will be graded.
Group Activities: Majority of them will be during instruction time.
Participation: If you are focused in class you can earn the points you need to have an excellent grade for
participation. . Do not engage in any behavior that prevents/distracts you from learning,
prevents/distracts others from learning, or prevents/distracts the teacher from teaching. Pay
attention!! That is all I ask from you.
Projects: They are going to include crafts and they will take ONE week to complete.
Tutoring: Students performing poorly on class will be assigned to attend remediation/tutoring sessions.
Make up work: Late homework will not be accepted UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE and will result
on a zero because each and any homework, workbook and class activity loses its value as an effective
learning tool when taken out of sequence or schedule.
You are not allowed to make up work/tests/quizzes/projects for any unexcused absence.
Sick room: If you feel sick come and see me BEFORE class starts and BEFORE going to the nurse
station and I will give you a hall pass.
Classroom: I take time every morning and afternoon to keep my room neat and clean. I expect you to do
your part by not leaving trash (paper, pieces of paper, gum wrappers, etc) under your desk, around your
desk or around my classroom.
Revised by Department Chair
E-mail communication: You will have my e-mail address by the time you finish reading this. My e-mail
address is for you to ask me questions about homework or request tutoring. I am not able to give
you or your parents by e-mail your Power School code, in case of losing it, for privacy reasons, you have
to see the Principal.
Be professional and respectful when writing your messages. You are not texting so do not use
“emoticons” interjections or any kind of language you are not supposed to use. Failure of doing this will
result on a disrespect fault and will be managed with administration.
Cheating: Student behavior involving any form of cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. This
includes cheating on tests or quizzes, using an online translator, having another student complete the
work for you, copying another student’s homework, and/or any other form of dishonesty. Homework must
be done individually unless instructed otherwise.
Evidence of violation of the GHS honesty policy will result in a grade of zero for the assignment, no makeup opportunity, a call home to parents and a referral to the office (ISS.)
Grading: The grades you receive during class and from homework are objective and based on your
performance. If you have questions about a grade COME TO MY DESK at the end of the class and we
will review it together.
My website: I have a website where I upload all the Power point presentations weekly. Please visit it and
check the links added, they will help you improve your Spanish. My website address is
http://www.rcstn.net/helen.richards/home.
Cell phones: School has a cell phone policy that you have to review and keep in mind. Cell
phones HAVE to be OFF and OUT of SIGHT. If for some reason I see or think I see you checking
your cell phone I will ask you to show it to me and if it is ON I will take it from you and the school’s
policy is going to apply.
Do not argue with me. Avoid uncomfortable situations and keep your phone INSIDE your bag and
OFF!!! If I can see it on your pocket, hand, desk, etc..it means it is not OFF sight so policy will
apply.
Grades:
Quizzes 35% written and oral
Mid-term/Final: 20%
Homework 20%
Daily work 25%
CLASSROOM GOALS
Please read CAREFULLY. They will be on display in the classroom in ENGLISH and SPANISH!
Goals:
1. Respect yourself.
2. Respect others.
3. Respect the school and everything in it.
Procedures:
At all times:
In order to reach our goals there are some things you need to remember to do:
 Stay out of the teacher’s desk, files, and bookshelves and any items I take from
you during my class time (I decide when to give them back to you.)
 Do not talk about other students, teachers or administrators in my class.
Revised by Department Chair
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Come to class prepared! “Prepared” means that you have all of your supplies with you
and that any homework assignments are completed and with you.
Sharpen your pencils before class.
Take care of restroom needs before class.
Sit properly on your chair (don’t lay down on it) if you are sick let me know before
instruction starts.
Neither food nor drinks in the classroom (unless medical conditions have been previously
announced to the office and are registered in your folder).
Chewing gum is NOT permitted. Sticking chewing gum underneath your desk is
prohibited.
No personal grooming in my classroom.
Do not laugh at your classmates. There are no dumb questions.
Respect your classmates’ things and they will respect yours. (If you have any problems
let me know.)
Writing on the desk is prohibited.
Writing on the books and workbooks, drawing or tearing pages is prohibited.
Throwing papers or any trash on the floor is prohibited. Clean up after yourself.
If you walk beside any object and you knocked it down pick it up.
Write homework assignments on your notebook.
As soon as you enter my classroom turn homework in BEFORE you sit down
Listen, participate, and learn.
Raise your hand to ask a question.
Upon entering the Spanish classroom:
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Homework is due at the beginning of class (Before you sit down) or it is considered late and
there is no late work accepted by the Department Grading Policy.
Check your folder for any returned homework, test or quiz. All graded papers are returned to
your folder.
Get your workbook from the shelf.
Be ready to start as soon as I enter the classroom with the last student.
Profesora Richards will dismiss the class, NOT the bell! Remain seated and working until I
dismiss you.
Daily consequences (additional to take points away)
1st - Verbal warning. I know I won’t have to pass this level, but just in case…
2nd – Conference with students
3rd – I will contact your parents.
4th- I will send you to the Principal’s office. NO EXCEPTIONS.
5th- From here on we apply the GHS student handbook.
If you have any questions you can send me an email at helen.richards@rcstn.net
*Please note – this syllabus is subject to revisions throughout the year. Any changes will be made clear
to students*
Once you and a parent/guardian have read this syllabus, please sign the acknowledgement page (other
link on my website) that you have read and understood the policies and procedures of our Spanish class.
Print and keep this syllabus in your binder for reference and return page to be signed by parents
(another file) signed by Friday, August 15, 2015.
Gracias,
Profesora Richards
Revised by the Department Chair
Revised by Department Chair