Grading Policy and Class Expectations

 

 

04/11/10

 

 

 

bulletClass Expectations/Introduction: Research shows that we learn a foreign language most easily and most thoroughly through activities that simulate the way we learned our native language. To re-create the way students have learned their  first language, this course will:

1.     Expose students to as much comprehensible input in Spanish as possible through listening and reading in the language. What they hear and read is intentionally tailored to their level of understanding.

2.     Use repetition of key material so that Spanish will be stored in long-term memory. Students will not be memorizing what they have heard or read; the repetition will store the vocabulary and structure in the brain, which allows them to apply what they know to new linguistic situations.

3.     Give the students the opportunity to learn vocabulary and grammar by using them correctly in context, rather than memorizing vocabulary lists and focusing solely on grammar exercises.

4.     Use gestures and pantomime to mimic real situations, which add further meaning to the language.

5.     Allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of Spanish by speaking and writing, which are the means of evaluation.

 

Quarterly grades

  
bullet Vocabulary & Structures                                20 %
bullet Listening & Reading                                       20 %
bullet Speaking                                                         20 %
bullet Writing                                                            20 %
bulletLanguage practice (in-class)                          20 %

    ** Tests/projects in the above categories are double weighted.

   
bullet Mid-term & final exams are 10% each of your final grade for the year.
bullet It is the policy of TRHS that any student who is found cheating will automatically receive a grade of zero and parents will be notified.
 
   

About notebooks and textbooks...

bulletI recommend a notebook that is dedicated to Spanish, with ample paper for taking notes, sections for hand-outs, readings, and songs. Plan to keep this notebook for the duration of the year.
bulletStudents may ask for a textbook at any time during the year - it will serve as a reference. Textbooks must be covered (do not use any contact-type covering). You are responsible for keeping the text in good condition & will be assessed for any damages that occur during the year – even if a “friend” is the person who damages the book.
     
bullet HOMEWORK: Homework represents an opportunity to practice skills you have learned in class.
bulletFor optimum success in this class, you should review current and past vocabulary on a daily basis. I recommend that you practice retelling the most recent story we have done in class, or even make up a new one.
bulletAssignments will most frequently correlate to the National Standards areas of Communication, Cultures, and Comparisons.
bulletYou will receive full credit for all homework that is completed, original, and passed in on-time. Note: most assignments will be graded on completion of task; some on accuracy.
bulletIf you miss a homework assignment, you may choose to pass it in the following day for ˝ credit. Note: If your homework is  not submitted when I ask for it, it is considered late.
bulletFor parents who want to work with their child, they can:
bulletlisten to the retell in Spanish or translation of a class story or reading
bullethelp review the vocabulary by asking for the Spanish translation

 

bullet Language Practice: Student must look actively engaged in the lesson.  Refer to the rubric that follows.
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Student begins each quarter with 100%. Language Practice grade will be updated on power school at progress report time and the end of the quarter.

bullet If a student is tardy to class (not including an occasional couple of minutes, with a pass from another teacher, nurse, office, or guidance), he/she will receive a PÁGAME (5-point deduction). All págames for excused tardies can be made up; maximum of 5 págames for the other reasons can be made up (per quarter).

Note: Work cannot be made up for any unexcused absence/tardy or removal from class (TRHS policy).

* To make-up a Págame – options

bullet Págames must be made up within ONE WEEK!
bullet100-word (minimum) essay/story in Spanish using the vocabulary we are working on in class, or
bulletA positive act for the whole class in Spanish (sing a song, recite a poem, tell/read a story) – prearrange this with me.

***   Excused or Exempt Absence from class (includes any school-related activity): Learning a language requires repetitive exposure to the language in an understandable format. When a student misses class, s/he is missing the opportunity to acquire Spanish. In order to make up for this missed opportunity the student must make up any graded assignments from the class (after school), obtain any notes & hand-outs, and write an essay of 100 words in Spanish that practices the vocabulary used in the missed class. The absence essay must be made up within one week of the student’s return to school.

Note: This is not a “punishment” for being absent; the essay is to reinforce and practice the material that was taught when the student was not in class and missed 48 minutes of comprehensible input. It helps prevent him/her from falling behind.

 

Spanish Language Practice Rubric   
 

 

20

16

14

12
Preparation for Class ·Materials are brought to class & are quickly located when needed

·You are always ready to work at the start of class (notebook, pen, and homework out)

 ·Materials are usually brought to class; some difficulty in locating them

·You are usually ready to work at the start of class (notebook, pen, and homework out)

 ·You frequently forget to bring required material &/or often cannot find them

·You are often not ready to begin at the start of class (notebook, pen, and homework not out, forget to turn in assignments)

 ·You frequently have to borrow materials from your classmates or have to look on with others because you don't have your materials for class
Frequency of Participation ·Your hand is always raised and you volunteer to answer questions in class

· You give choral responses

·You often ask questions relevant to current class topic

·Your hand is often raised to participate during class

· You sometimes respond chorally

·You occasionally ask relevant questions during class

 ·You seldom raise your hand to participate

·You rarely give choral responses

·You rarely ask relevant questions during class

·You do not answer questions in class

·You do not respond chorally

·You ask questions that are not related to class topic

 
Class Independence ·You are always on task when completing class work or working in groups

·You always start working immediately when asked to do so

 ·Most of the time you are on task when completing class work or working in groups  ·You sometimes need to be reminded to stay on task when completing class work or working in groups  ·You rarely use class time wisely
Listening ·You actively listen when the teacher and fellow students are presenting information

·You consistently follow directions

 ·You actively listen to the teacher but not always to fellow students

·You attempt to follow directions

 ·You sometimes listen when the teacher and fellow students are presenting information

·You sometimes follow directions

 ·You often look down at your desk and rarely listen actively and/or you speak with others during class when the teacher or your classmates are presenting information

·You rely on other students to tell you what to do
Use of Language ·You always make the effort to use Spanish in class ·Most of the time you make the effort to use Spanish in class ·You sometimes make an effort to use Spanish in class ·You seldom make the effort to use Spanish in class

 

                                                    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:                                                                  

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You have 3 days to provide documentation (power school/office pass) to me for an absence and make up your work. You will not receive language practice credit if the absence is unexcused. A late assignment will only be accepted for full-credit if you have an excused/exempt absence.

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If you miss a homework assignment, you can choose to pass it in the following day for ˝ credit.

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Projects/long-term assignments lose 10 points (or 10%) per day for each day after the deadline (TRHS policy).

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Arrange to meet with me BEFORE or AFTER school to find out what you have missed & make up the work. Unfortunately, I do not have enough time to give you complete information between classes or during other classes. You are responsible for obtaining notes and assignments for any classes. Check with your partner first, and see me for any photocopies/hand-outs before or after school. I am happy to e-mail this information to you - just send me a request & I will answer it.

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Tests are unannounced. Therefore, understand that I am not able to tell you that you missed a quiz/test, as this would be an unfair advantage over those who were in class that day. Instead, I will tell you if the missed work was graded.

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A test can be retaken if you are not satisfied with the grade, within 3 days after taking the test or quiz. Make-ups & test retakes: make prior arrangements with me to avoid scheduling conflicts.

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If a quiz/test is given the day you return from an absence, you are expected to take it with the class. You can always re-take it if you are not satisfied with your grade.

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Participación oral: take advantage of the time given to do this - it counts as part of your speaking grade.

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The National Standards for Foreign Languages and the course syllabus are posted on this website for your reference. All lessons are based on these standards.

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There is no eating, drinking (except water), wearing of hats/hoods or chewing gum in class, and no electronic devices (Ipods, cell phones, etc).

 

This signed policy is to be kept in your notebook for reference all year long.

Student's signature:               _______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature:     _______________________________________________

 

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This site was last updated 08/30/09