Modern Language Department
Course Title: Spanish 1
Instructor: Craig Bingham
cbingham@tusd.net
Phone: (209) 830 – 3360 x2215
Room #: 205
Office Hours: TBA
Se habla español
TA’s are expected to follow classroom procedures and TA contracts.
Course Description: The Modern Language Department pursues the following objectives:
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Develop listening and reading skills
Develop speaking and writing skills
Emphasize communication in the modern language
Employ proficiency standards for assessing students
Assist in developing an awareness of differences and similarities between the target culture
Required Materials: Spanish 1 ¡Ven conmigo! Textbook, Practice and Activity Workbook, Grammar and
Vocabulary Workbook, pencil/pen, composition notebook, a 2 or 3 inch binder, and a spiral notebook. Students
are responsible for all books. Students will be told verbally when their textbook is needed for the next day.
Course Outline: Chapters 1-10, each chapter will introduce the following:
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Functions of the target language
Grammar
Culture
Each level offers an integrated approach to language learning. Presentation and practice of functional
expressions, vocabulary, and grammar structures are interwoven with cultural information, language learning tips,
and realia to facilitate both learning and teaching. The technology, audiovisual materials, and additional print
resources integrated throughout each chapter allow instruction to be adapted to a variety of teaching and learning
styles. The language program offers the following comprehensive activities to accommodate all learning styles:
 Grammar and vocabulary structures
 Practice and activity to provide practice for the different functions in language
 Listening activities
 Teaching transparencies
 Activities for communication
Rules and Expectations:
 Be Prepared – on time, work done, bathroom visits and drinks taken care of
 Be Respectful – to property and to people
 Be Responsible – this is your grade, not your parents, and not mine; you take care of it.
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Participate in class appropriately. Language learning is an active pursuit and requires the participation of
the student in class activities such as discussions, debates, oral recitations, oral readings, responses to
questions, and participation in cooperative learning activities.
Behavior Steps and Consequences:
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Warning/Loss of Extra Credit
Parent Contact
After School detention (teacher discretion)
Support Room
Parent conference with an administrator
Attendance/Tardy Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly. Frequent or prolonged
absences (including excused ones) can be detrimental to the learning process and can result in an unsatisfactory
grade. Students should be present and prepared to start work by the bell. The school tardy policy will be
followed after the first tardy (see handbook). Each unexcused tardy will result in a 2-pt. loss of extra credit.
Homework/Make-up/Late Work Policy:
Late Work: In fairness to everyone, no late work will be accepted. All work is due when called for by the
teacher.
Make-up Work: Students have the right and obligation to make up all work missed during an excused
absence. It is the student’s responsibility to check with fellow students first and then with the teacher the day of
his/her return to class concerning missed work.
1. All make-up work, including tests, must be completed by the dateline. If not turned in by that date, it will not
be accepted.
2. School policy allows one day of make-up for each day of an excused absence. If you are absent for 3 days,
this does not mean you might turn in your make-up work on the 6th day after you return to school.
3. One day after you return, you should turn in the make-up work for the 1st day’s absence, one day later the
make-up work for the 2nd day’s absence, and so on.
4. Students will not be allowed to make up work missed if an absence is unexcused. Refer to student handbook
and Board Policy 6154.
5. Homework will be assigned 4 times a week. Students will always be expected to study unit vocabulary.
6. Cultural project deadlines are not flexible (teacher discretion). If you are going to be out of town or ill, I still
expect the project to be turned in.
Parent Link: Will be updated regularly.
Extra Credit: Each student begins the semester with 40 extra credit points. Failure to follow classroom
procedures and guidelines will result in loss of extra credit points. All remaining points will be added to the final
semester grade (not quarter). Loss of all 40 points will result in an unsatisfactory grade. NO OTHER FORMS OF
EXTRA CREDIT.
Cheating: Not acceptable. Please refer to student handbook.
Suspension From School: In the case of suspension from school, which is defined by a student being
removed from the classroom, following the student handbook and Education Code 48913, it shall be at the
teacher’s discretion whether the student will be allowed to make up any work, quizzes, or tests.
Parent Conferences: If you need to see a teacher, make an appointment with the teacher.
Grading Policy: Grades are comprised of tests, quizzes, homework, classwork, orals, compositions,
projects, and required verbal class participation done by the student, receives:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Quizzes:
Oral Assessments:
Writing Assessments:
Homework/Classwork:
40%
20%
20%
20%
Semester Grade: 1st Quarter 40% + 2nd Quarter 40% + Semester Final 20%
Certain assignments (written, oral assessments and projects) may be accompanied with a grading rubric when
assigned. These will have a larger value than daily class work and homework.
Your son/daughter has read the above and has had a chance to air any concerns
before he/she has signed below. Please sign below indicating that you have read and
give your support to these policies. This page should be signed and returned to me
by the student. Gracias.
Student Name (print) ________________________________
Period____
Student Signature __________________________________
Date ________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print) __________________________________
Signature __________________________________
Date ________________
Phone number where you can be reached during the day: __________________________
Email address: ____________________________________________________________________
Comments (please include any information that would be helpful for your
son/daughter):
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