World Language—Spanish 12014-2015

Ms. Jennifer OrbikPlanning 1st periodSchool Phone: 416-4540 ex. 85414Google Voice: 213-6429ms.orbik@gmail.comorbikj@scsk12.orglacasaespanola.blogspot.com

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), My name is Jennifer Orbik and I will be your student’s Spanish teacher this year. I am looking forward to working with you in the education of your child. Learning a foreign language is challenging, so I urge you to encourage your child to be prepared for class, to participate in class, and to let me know if they have any concerns. In order to make learning a foreign language easier, a student should practice pronunciation and study vocabulary outside of class, in small units, every night. I suggest studying on quizlet every night for at least 20 minutes. (Don’t wait until the night before a quiz to learn 20 new words!) Students should study regularly and be sure to complete homework assignments. I believe that it is essential for parents and teachers to work together to ensure the best education possible for each student. Please check our online grade book on PowerTeacher/ParentConnect regularly to monitor your child’s grades. I will also send home progress reports during each grading period to keep you informed if your child is having any problems. I look forward to meeting you at Open House and Parent-Teacher Conference Night. After you read the information in the syllabus below, please contact me if you have a comment, question, or suggestion.

I am looking forward to an exciting and successful year as we work together!

Sincerely, Jennifer Orbik

Spanish I Syllabus

Course Description: The world language program in SCS focuses on using languages in real-world situations. Students learn language that prepares them to communicate with others through oral language, print, and media. Although students will need to know vocabulary, grammar, and cultural information, they learn them in order to use them purposefully for communication with others. This emphasis on communication aligns the SCS curriculum with state and national standards.

At each level of world language instruction, students expand the topics on which they are able to communicate, the ways in which they are able to express themselves and understand others, and the sophistication with which they can express ideas. Student understanding of other cultures, ability to behave in culturally acceptable ways, and to recognize the relationships between language and culture grow with each unit, year, and level of world language study.

Each level of the SCS language curriculum is guided by clear statements of what students will know and be able to do. Realistic expectations for how well students will be able to use their language and cultural skills are also clearly stated. These objectives determine what teachers teach, what practice activities are provided to students, and how student progress is evaluated. Ultimately, because the goal of learning language is to be able to use it, SCS teachers are expected to test and evaluate their students on what students can do with what they have learned.

SCS world language course descriptions include: 1) a series of ‘can do’ statements that indicate what students are expected to demonstrate their ability to do by the end of each academic year of instruction, and 2) a description of how well students can use the language they have learned at the end of the year.

Course Overview: The world language program in SCS focuses on using languages in real-world situations. Students learn language

that prepares them to communicate with others through oral language, print, and media. Although students will need to know vocabulary, grammar, and cultural information, they learn them in order to use them purposefully for communication with others. This emphasis on communication aligns the SCS curriculum with state and national standards.

At each of level of world language instruction, students expand the topics on which they are able to communicate, the ways in which they are able to express themselves and understand others, and the sophistication with which they can express ideas. Student understanding of other cultures, ability to behave in culturally acceptable ways and to recognize the relationships between language and culture grow with each unit, year, and level of world language study.

Each level of the SCS language curriculum is guided by clear statements of what students will know and be able to do. Realistic expectations for how well students will be able to use their language and cultural skills are also clearly stated. These objectives determine what teachers teach, what practice activities are provided to students, and how student progress is evaluated. Ultimately, because the goal of learning language is to be able to use it, SCS teachers are expected to test and evaluate their students on what students can do with what they have learned.

SCS world language course descriptions include: 1) a series of ‘can do’ statements that indicate what students are expected to demonstrate their ability to do by the end of each academic year of instruction, and 2) a description of how well students can use the language they have learned at the end of the year.

Materials and Supplies: In addition to bringing your agenda to class daily, students should also have blue or black ink pen or pencil, notebook paper, a 1” 3-ring binder with dividers, and a Spanish/English dictionary.

Throughout the school year I will be assigning several projects that will require some additional supplies. I cannot lend out my classroom supplies because I need them throughout the day in the classroom and often lent items are, unfortunately, not returned. Students need access to rubber bands, markers/colored pencils/crayons, scissors, a ruler, and glue/glue stick/tape at home. Some assignments may require poster board and construction paper. Students will also be making flashcards for each chapter using 3x5 index cards. Please take advantage of the back to school bargains and keep these supplies on hand at home. Keep a collection of old magazines if possible. These will also come in very handy. I am sure that these preparations will benefit your child in all of his/her classes and cut down on last minute runs to the store for supplies.

Attendance Policy: Follow SCS attendance Policies (student handbook). Consistent attendance is essential and expected for success in this class. If your child has a chronic health problem and is often absent, please let me know.

Grading Scale: SCS grading scale (refer to student handbook) Assignments will be weighted in my classroom as follows:

•10% Homework•20% Class Participation (does not refer to student conduct)•20% Class-work/Daily work (refers to a formative demonstration of the student’s ability and includes projects, reports, presentations) •50% Assessments (refers to a student’s culminating, independent demonstration of mastery of one or more competencies)

20%- Performance and task assessments 20%- Tests10% - Quizzes

***Shelby County Schools do not average semester grades. If you fail one semester you must make up that semester. Please be sure to keep up with your grades using Parent Connect. I try to put in grades weekly, unless it is a lengthy project or test.

Tutoring hours: Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 (BE ON TIME) or by appointment

Make-up work Policy: Per SCS Policy, all make-up work must be completed within 10 days of returning to school after an absence. If you have an unexcused absence or if you were suspended you will not be allowed to make up work. The only instance that will allow you to make up work is if it was worth 15% of you total grade (if it is unexcused). Students are responsible for coming to tutoring to learn the material that was covered when they missed class and to get make up work. They must also make up any missed quizzes, test, or performance based assessments after school during tutoring or by appointment. Work that students simply do not do when given the opportunity in class is not accepted as make-up work. I also do not accept late work. I offer some bonus opportunities and optional assignments to help bring up students’ grades if they are missing assignments.

Academic Honesty Statement: Students are expected to complete their own work. Any copying on any assignments will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero for both the student copying the material and the student who allowed their work to be copied. If a student has a question about an assignment or needs feedback, he/she should ask the teacher. Cheating on Quizzes or Tests will also result in a grade of zero. If a student has an emergency and is not prepared to take a test or quiz and feels compelled to cheat, they should discuss the situation with me. I may consider allowing the student to make up the test or quiz before or after school. This will be handled on a case-by- case basis.

RULES: SALSA

Stay on task Work on the assignment given to you. When you finish, you may work on something else as long as you stay quiet

Actively participate Be present in class and do what is asked of you

Listen Listen when the teacher is speaking Listen when your peers are speaking Listen when the announcements come on.

Show respect Respect the teacher Respect your peers Respect the school and the property

Attitude Bring a positive attitude to class.

PROCEDURESBellwork (para pensar): upon entering the classroom you will take your seat and immediately start your bellwork. If you have a homework assignment due that day, turn it in prior to taking your seat.

Restrooms: Because class is only 45 minutes long, the hall pass can only be used for life and death emergencies. If you have a medical problem and have to go to the restroom you must have a doctor’s note.

Leaving the classroom: As stated before, the hall pass can only be used for life and death emergencies. Personal business should be taken care of either before or after class.

Uniforms: Part of establishing a positive learning environment is looking your best. If you come to class out of uniform you will not be able to enter until you fix it. Uniform compliance is non-negotiable.

Final Minutes: The bell dismisses class. It knows what time to ring, so it will not be necessary for you to keep track of time or to remind me of the time. The final minutes of every class will be your exit slip, to be turned in everyday as you leave.

Food and Drink: Food and drink are not allowed in my classroom, nor is gum.

Turning in work: There will be a file box located near my desk with files for each class period. Turn in your work as you come into the classroom, in the correct file folder for your class. I will not ask for it, as you should know when an assignment is due and just turn it in to the box. YOUR NAME MUST BE ON YOUR PAPER OR YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO.Late Work: Late work will not be accepted unless I have expressed otherwise.

CheatingCheating will NOT be tolerated. Therefore:Cheating, whether it occurs on classwork or a test will result in an automatic zero for both the person who did the cheating and the person who aided in the cheating. Additionally, parents of all students involved will be phoned and the incident documented.

ConsequencesIf a student fails to follow the rules and procedures the following consequences will occur:

1. Consultation between teacher and student 2. Phone call/Email to parent/guardian by the teacher 3. Conference involving the parent/guardian, teacher, and student 4. Referral to the Office

Please Complete and return the following sheet to indicate that you have read and understand the syllabus and classroom procedures. (THIS IS WORTH)

Spanish I—Srta. Orbik—2014-2015

Student’s Name(print): ________________________________________

Class Period:___________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name(print): __________________________ relationship_____________________________

Home Phone: ____________________ Work Phone: __________________ Cell Phone:________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________

Best time to call: __________________________________________________

Check whether your child will have internet access at home ____yes ____no(There are a lot of resources for my class online)

**********************************************************I have read and understand all policies and procedures outlined in the syllabus.

Parent/ Guardian Signature: ______________________________Date:___________

Student Signature:__________________Class Period:_________Date: ___________

Comments or Questions: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________