Spanish I, Grade 7-May 4, 2009
Well, here we go headed towards the finish line in less than 9 school grading days.
We are trying to finish chapter 3 and start chapter 4. It is a big push to the finish!
The Classroom Policies and Procedures will continue to appear below. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SEÑOR PAUL JOSEPH
7TH GRADE ESPAÑOL 2008-09
Bienvenidos! My name is Señor Paul Joseph and I will be your child’s Spanish teacher this year. I provided the students with my biography that I hoped they shared with you so that you would have some background about my teaching and life experiences. The information below is provided to help clarify classroom procedures and requirements for Spanish.
PROGRAM: Our class meets each day for fifty minutes during which time I will give the students the opportunity to speak, write and read in Spanish. As you know, this is the first year of a two-year effort to earn a high school credit in Spanish. In addition, in March of their 8th grade year, the students will also participate in the National Spanish Exam where they will get to see where they stand nationally with other Spanish I students. So we really have some exciting goals which I hope will motivate your child.
For those of you who did not have a student with me last year, you will find out that throughout the year your child will be told that the most important word they will learn this year is the English word “RARE”. I will work with each student so that he or she strives to meet my expectations of a “RARE” student. That is, I expect each student to be Responsible for their actions in the classroom and in the hallways of Saint Bridget’s; Accountable for meeting the homework requirements assigned outside of class; Respectful to their classmates and to all teachers and staff members at St. Bridget’s; Finally, I expect everyone to put forth their best Effort by always trying their best. Besides the word RARE, the expression we will also use throughout the year is…Sí, sí puedo..(Yes, Yes I can!) Meeting these “RARE” standards will help to ensure that your students are successful both in and out of the classroom. At the same time, I guarantee you the same level of effort so that I can be your child’s RARE teacher by making the instruction both challenging and FUN!.
TEXTS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS: We will be using two texts, ¡Avancemos! and Ventanas. The students will own Ventanas and will need to keep their copies for both this year and next. In case they lose it, another copy would have to purchased. In addition to the texts, other media will be used to enhance their instruction. At the same time, I am hopeful that you will allow your children to listen to, if available on your TV cable outlets, the news or other programs on Univisión or other Spanish cable networks at least 15 minutes a day. At the same time, I have provided the students a listing of Spanish masses in the area that you might allow them to attend periodically and hear first person, the spoken word of God in español.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly to reinforce material presented in class. These assignments will be reviewed and corrected in class. When this homework is coupled with a review of grammar, vocabulary and the opportunity to listen to Spanish daily, it will enhance their language development. Each student must also maintain a Spanish portfolio/workbook to keep their homework assignments as well as to maintain information distributed in class. In addition, they will be assigned a country and will keep information on that country, its leaders, and some current events in that portfolio.
GRADES: Grades will be based and weighted on the students’ performance in the following categories:
Participation: 20%; Daily participation is expected. Proper wear of the uniform is considered an element of the classroom participation as well as proper conduct.
Quizzes: 30%; There will be both scheduled and unscheduled quizzes.
Tests: 50%; All tests will be scheduled with ample pre-test preparation.
Projects: Country, biographic and other cultural projects will be assigned well in advance and will be weighted and graded as a test;
Homework: I consider homework an extension of the classroom activities. For that reason, no separate grade will be given for it. However, a half-point (.5) will be deducted from the semester grade for each assignment missed.
Contact Information: Please contact me should you have any questions or concerns at pjoseph@saintbridget.org .
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