ROCKY TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL

Spanish

Class: Spanish, Level I       Teacher: Señorita Wyly    Grade Level: 7th/8th  

Email: shannon.wyly@adams12.org          Phone: 720-972-2248

Course Length: One Year

This course will focus on learning the Spanish language and various cultural elements of the Spanish-speaking world.  It will require that students learn the basics of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Spanish.  Students will learn vocabulary, grammar, and cultural elements of Spain and Latin America.  Particular themes that will be used to accomplish this will include, but not be limited to:

• La Escuela, La Clase, El Tiempo (School, Class, Weather)
• Mis Amigos y Yo (My Friends and I)
• La Comida (Food)
• Los Pasatiempos (How You Spend Your Time)
• Fiesta en Familia (Family Parties)
• La Casa (The House)
• De Compras (Shopping)
• Experiencias (Experiences)
• Medios de Comunicación (Methods of Communication)

Instruction will be based upon Adams 12 and Colorado State Standards:

• Standard 1: Students communicate in a foreign language while demonstrating literacy in all four essential skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

• Standard 2: Students acquire and use knowledge of other cultures while developing foreign language skills.

Students are expected to copy homework and class work assignments into their agenda daily.

 Communication between parents/guardians and teachers is a vital component in your student’s education.  Please check your student’s agenda each day to find a list of topics and assignments from each class.  You may occasionally receive comments from us in the agenda, and you are welcome to use this as a communication tool as well.

The best way to reach us is by email.  Teachers are not available to take telephone calls during the day, but feel free to leave voice mail messages so that they may return your call at their earliest convenience.

1. Students are expected to abide by all district and school rules and regulations. 
2. Students are expected to come to class with all necessary materials, ready and willing to learn.
3. NO GUM/FOOD/ CANDY.  Water bottles (filled ONLY with water are accepted).  This is a class that requires talking; food and drinks get in the way of learning. 
4. Students are expected to write in their agendas/planners every day. 
5. Cheating will NOT be tolerated.  If a student is caught cheating, he/she will receive a zero for the assignment and there will be no way to redo the assignment.

In the event that students do not conform to rules of the class, the following Student Behavior Plan will be implemented:

1. Warning to student (Student Awareness)
2. Detention (lunch, before or after school)
3.  Phone call or email home. (Parent Awareness)

 All other problems with student referred to the office. (Administrative Awareness/ Action)

Students are expected to be in their seats, writing the class work/homework in their agendas when the bell rings without prompting.

• Consequences for tardies include:
• First Occurrence: Conference/Warning
• Second Occurrence: Lunch detention
• Third Occurrence: Phone call or email to parent
• ***After the 3rd occurrence, administrative action will be required.***

In this course, students will be graded on reading and writing as well as verbal and listening skills.  The grades will be graded on the following scale:

• Breakdown of grades
• Class work and Participation: 40%
• Tests and Quizzes: 40%
• Homework and Projects: 20%
• Homework will be assigned as needed for the following  purposes:
• Practice skills
• Prepare for new topics
• Elaborate on introduced materials

There will be some opportunities for students to receive Extra Credit as a way to enhance their grades; however, students may not use these assignments to replace assignments they did not complete.  Extra credit will not be accepted late.

• Midterm/Trimester Grading Scale
• 100%-90%                  A
• 89%-80%                   B
• 79%-70%                   C
• 69%-60%                   D
• 59% and below         F

Please note that group projects will be assigned individual grades.

Excused Absences

• In accordance with Superintendent Policy 2.3.2, students shall be given a period of at least the same number of days they were absent, plus one additional day to make-up the assignments. The make-up period begins on the next school day following the absence.

• The general policy for late work is that the grade will be lowered by 10% for each day that it is late.  There are times, however, that assignments will not be accepted late.  Students will be informed of these times.

*** If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to see me at lunch, before or after school to receive the assignment(s) he/she missed.  Additionally, some assignments may require that students arrange a time to stay after school or come before school to complete assignments.  Please be conscientious of the fact that this is a class that requires a tremendous amount of in-class participation and attendance plays a crucial role in student success!!!***

• Students are expected to come to class prepared to learn with the following materials
• pencil and/or pen (blue or black ink only)
• Binder with 8 index section tabs (we will label and put these together in class at the beginning of the school year)
• Agenda (provided by the school)

**It is recommended (but not required) that each student have a Spanish-English dictionary at home.  This is not a mandatory item, but students will find it useful to have for this class as well as future Spanish classes). **

I will be available Thursdays before school (7:45 - 8:10 a.m.) for study sessions for students to have access to additional explanations of topics covered in class.  In addition to these times, I will be available by appointment during lunch, before or after school.  Please contact me the day before you would like to attend a study session to make sure there has been no meeting or other activity scheduled.