Cloonan Middle School 8th Grade – Spanish 2 Ms. Valendra (MValendra1@ci.stamford.ct.us) Course Description: In Spanish 2, we will continue to learn how to communicate about many aspects of your daily life in Spanish! We will continue complete many assignments and projects and work together often. Students should expect an interactive classroom where positive attitudes and participation are required for learning. The themes we cover are as follows: Unidad 5: Bienvenido a nuestra casa Unidad 6: Mantener un cuerpo sano Unidad 7: ¡Una semana fenomenal! Unidad 8: Una rutina diferente Course Expectations: Students in Spanish 2 are expected to develop their communication skills in Spanish (including reading, writing, presentational speaking, informal speaking and listening), and to begin to use these skills to communicate about their daily life and the world around them. Students are expected to come to class prepared, on time and ready to learn. Due to the unique challenges of learning another language, it is essential that students maintain a positive attitude and a high level of participation in this class, as well as complete all assignments on time. Primary Text: ¡Avancemos! 1b Gahala, Estella, Patricia Hamilton Carlin, Audrey L. Heining-Boynton, Ricardo Otheguy, and Barbara J. Rupert. Avancemos 1b. Evanston, Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2007. Print. Additional Materials: 1. Space in your binder for Spanish class. 2. Notebook paper for class assignments and note taking. 3. A folder in your binder for handouts. 4. Writing utensils. 5. A composition notebook (that stays in Spanish class). 6. A Spanish dictionary. We have several we use in class, so your Spanish dictionary can stay at home or where you do your homework. Helpful Resources: my.hrw.com online textbook website quizlet.com interactive tool for creation of flashcards valendra.weebly.com Ms. Valendra’s website with relevant course info. wordreference.com online dictionary Grading Plan: Weekly Quizzes: 40% Students should expect one or two short, in-class quizzes per week. These assessments will make up a large portion of your grade. Tests / Projects: 30% Students should expect one to three projects and one or two tests per quarter. One of the tests will be a district-wide quarterly exam. In the fourth quarter, students will have an additional cumulative final exam. Class Participation: 20% Students should be in class, on time, with required materials and ready to learn and participate. Participation can mean anything from singing and composing and presenting skits, to playing a variety of educational games and performing many educational activities. Learning a language is fun! It also required immersion in the language, which is why your behavior, effort and willingness to participate in this class counts for a significant portion of your grade. 20% - student is always on time, prepared and respectful of the classroom environment and his / her peers. Student is always willing and ready to learn and participate to the best of his / her ability and maintains a positive attitude. 16% - student is usually on time, prepared and respectful. Student always completes work, but does not participate fully in class activities. 12% - students is sometimes late or unprepared for class. Student completes some classwork, but does not work to his or her full potential. 8% - student is often late or unprepared for class. Student completes some classwork with much reminding. Student does not work to their best potential, and often chooses not to participate in class activities or behave appropriately. 4% - student is usually late or unprepared for class. Student rarely does assigned classwork, is not respectful of the learning process, and does not work to their full potential or behave appropriately. Homework: 10% In addition to studying for weekly quizzes and completing long-term projects, students should expect small homework assignments two to four times per week. Homework is important to help reinforce and review the material we learn in class. Homework will be checked at the beginning of each class during the warm-up, and students will earn a grade for completion. Homework will be reviewed in class, and may be collected occasionally for further review. Course Policies: Student Work: Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class time on a regular basis. All students are expected to attempt all assignments and hand them in on time. All students are expected to complete their own work. While students may certainly ask family and friends for help on content, please remember that your work is your own. Composition Notebook: Students will be required to bring a composition notebook to class that will stay in class. You will be expected to complete specific in-class assignments in this notebook. This notebook is not to be used for class notes. Notes belong in the Spanish section of your binder. Group Activities: You will be working in groups on a regular basis. Your group will be given cooperative learning activities to complete. You will be expected to be an active member of your group and participation points will be assessed accordingly. You will always be graded as an individual; however your group may earn points together that will lead to a reward. Extra Credit: Opportunities for extra credit may be offered from time to time. Extra credit is extra work for students who are very hard working, but may need to improve their average on a case-by-case basis. Extra credit will not be offered to students with low averages due to low participation or homework grades. Absences: If a student is absent, it is his / her responsibility to get all late work from the teacher and return it in a timely manner. Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected in this class at all times. Copying another students’ work, handing in work that is not your own, or using a translator service for any portion of an assignment is unacceptable. Consequences for academic dishonesty will result in no credit given for that assignment with no opportunity for resubmission and will be reported to the appropriate administrator as well as a parent or guardian. I have read and understand the rules for Ms. Valendra’s Spanish class. Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________ Date:__________________ Student Signature:_____________________________________ Date:__________________