Spanish I focuses on developing your competence in communicating in Spanish and understanding the cultures of the people who speak the language. By the end of Level I, you will be expected to exhibit novice to mid level proficiency in speaking and writing and novice to high level proficiency in listening to and reading Spanish. Your development will be achieved through diligence in active listening and oral response, reading/translating and writing with attention to detail. Your success will require your commitment to completing all class and homework assignments and frequently reviewing vocabulary and verb conjugations.

To get off to your best start, please review this material with your parent or guardian. A hard copy for signing will be given to you in class. It will be filed in the front of your Spanish three-ring binder. Getting it signed and filed properly constitutes your first graded activity in Spanish I. We will review the contents periodically in class, so you need to keep it in the front of your binder.

There is no more vital key to your success in Spanish than the contract that you make today. That contract (between you and yourself, you and your parents, and you and your teacher) represents your determination to invest yourself 100 percent in doing the RIGHT THING at the RIGHT TIME throughout this semester.

In class, the RIGHT THING means focusing on the daily learning objectives and resisting any and all other competition for your attention. That means you will need to exercise self-control in resisting the desire for seeking out entertainment, socializing, multi-tasking, or day dreaming.

Doing the RIGHT THING at the RIGHT TIME means completing all assignments on schedule with a focus on understanding and learning the objective contained in each exercise. It means practicing diligently in class and reviewing nightly any current vocabulary and grammar, whether a written assignment has been assigned or not.

If you will do these things, I can guarantee your success in Spanish I!

Doing THE RIGHT THING Means Diligently Following These Classroom Expectations:

1. Using the kindness standard in all relationships: that means saying only positive things to and about classmates. It means encouraging them by good example to do the RIGHT THING at the RIGHT TIME. It also means respecting their right and need for a quiet atmosphere where they can focus on work. It doesn’t mean talking to them even to give them classroom information. That is your teacher’s job.
2. Helping keep the atmosphere ideal for learning by REFRAINING FROM TALKING, except when directed to do so by the teacher. Side conversations are distracting to those involved AND  to others, including the teacher.
3. FOCUSING ON WORK FOR THIS CLASS ONLY when in Spanish class. Learning Spanish takes a lot of practice and concentration. If you finish assignments early, there will be enrichment activities for you to do to increase your Spanish learning, some of which are for extra credit.
4. Always making an effort to use Spanish in class. Even though your first efforts will be more like “Spanglish,” a sincere effort to USE the language will become the foundation for your Spanish academic success.
5. Not asking for special privileges, such as leaving the room for water or bathroom breaks. During the ENTIRE SEMESTER you will be entitled to a maximum of six hall passes. That means a maximum of about one time a month for bathroom or water breaks with two remaining for office visits. Your goal should not be to use them all, however. You should save as many as possible. As many as three can be returned at the end of the first quarter and three at the end of the second quarter for extra credit points.
6. Exercising INTEGRITY in all relationships and assignments
7. Not taking out your cell phone in the classroom. Infractions will result in phone confiscation and delivery to your administrator, who will telephone your parents to come to school to retrieve your phone. Multiple infractions become increasingly severe. Please see your student handbook or agenda for the complete list of consequences.
8. Not passing notes.
9. Not eating or drinking ANYTHING but clear water in the classroom.
10. Not using the classroom for primping (combing hair, applying makeup).

Doing THE RIGHT THING Means Being Prepared for Class Each Day with:

1. Pens with blue or black ink only or pencils.
2. A Spanish-only three ring binder.
3. One set of subject dividers in your three-ring binder and labeled as follows: Assignment list; Hmewk/clswk; Vocabulary; Grammar/misc.; Verbs
4. A supply of index cards, cut in half, for vocabulary flash cards;
5. Spanish textbook and workbook
6. A paperback Spanish/English dictionary (optional, but very helpful)
7. Set of 6 Spanish-only hall passes issued by your teacher. No more will be given. If they are not all used, they can be redeemed for extra credit points
8. Your homework, done the night before. No homework will be accepted after the first 10 minutes of class. The whole point of homework is to have a second review of class work. Homework can truly be done at your own pace that way, allowing for best absorption of the concepts. Remember: If no specific written homework is assigned, your standard expected assignment is to review current vocabulary and verb conjugations, as well as current material not yet mastered.

Doing THE RIGHT THING Means Practicing These Secrets for Success:

1. Stay focused on classwork without the distractions of negative emotions. Put these aside: anger, bitterness, jealousy.
2. Use your classroom time for building your knowledge base, and thus your future career opportunities, rather than attempting to improve your social ranking. As you know, attracting the attention of others to yourself and away from learning, and negative emotions and activities by even one student can severely damage the learning atmosphere for all. Instead, use your classroom time to focus on your academic achievement and your character development, obtained through focused hard work and self-discipline. These are the things that will last. Make them your priority.
3. Focus your attention on the learning objectives. Do not be content with superficial, temporary learning. Your learning must be intentional to last. Doing work that you might consider “good enough,” but not your best, simply will not be “good enough” to build upon. Acquiring a language is a focused, practiced SKILL. Do you play an instrument or team sport? How do you learn to play it? By simply looking at the musical score or reading the rules of the game? Certainly not! Focused PRACTICE is the necessary ingredient for the successful musician and the winning team member. Likewise, focused practice is what you’ll need to be a successful Spanish student and Spanish speaker.
4. Be sure you have a designated place and time to do your nightly homework. Then make it a firm commitment to yourself to be there and “get er done.”
5. Complete your homework on time and review it for a possible quiz the next day.
6. Have a place in your home for school supplies. Replenish your book bag each night with needed supplies and let your parents know when they are running low. Make it your habit each night before turning out the lights to have your book bag ready and your clothes laid out for the next day. This will reduce tensions at home, by eliminating the morning crises, and at school by ensuring you have your materials in class.
7. Keep your three-ring binder organized and up to date. You will receive periodic notebook checks to make sure you are staying organized. Being able to readily access the materials you need will save you time and anxiety in class and at home.  
8. No textbooks will be issued. That means less weight in your backpack! However, if you want to check out a book periodically, be sure to sign one out with your teacher.
9. Keep in Mind the Grading Percentages. These were designed to help you learn AND RETAIN what your learn:

Homework/class work:                           20%
Participation/oral response:                    25%
Tests:                                                      20%
Quizzes                                                  20%
Special Projects                                      15%

Exams will then count 15% of the above total.
                                       
10. Remember the makeup policy: It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed when absent. You will find any handouts you have missed, along with a list of weekly assignments on the big table at the back of the room when you return from an absence. You will have two days for each day missed to make these up after an excused absence. If you have missed a test, you will be required to come to a tutoring session after school within one week of your return to review for and take the missed test or quiz. After that time your missed grades become zeroes. You may not turn in late homework or class work that you simply forgot to do.

Spanish I Syllabus:
Course Outline

If time permits, we will complete additional chapters.

The above listed topics and deadlines are subject to change.

Final exam review:
We will devote the first part of exam week to reviewing for the exam.