CLASS SYLLABUS
¡Bienvenidos! a la clase de Español.
Course overview: This course aims to enhance students' understanding and proficiency in the Spanish language. It emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the target language. Additionally, cultural presentations by both students and the teacher will provide valuable insights into Spanish-speaking countries, further enriching the learning experience.
Course objective: Spanish II reinforces concepts learned in Spanish I. It continues with the important skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking - and the structures of Spanish taught within the cultural concept. Emphasis will be placed on written and oral communication skills. Students are made aware of the importance of Spanish in their world. Spanish is an academic elective course that is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the Spanish language and the people it encompasses. The class will focus on the present and future value, and benefit of learning another language. The ultimate goal is to help students learn and apply the language principles used in their daily lives and the future.
Course design: To help students accomplish the objectives of the course, a variety of methods of instruction will be used. These include cultural presentations, projects, lectures, written exercises, compositions, exams, and speaking assessments. Class and group interaction is crucial to course success. Students are strongly encouraged to come to class prepared and ready to participate in class, to bring the material they study to life. My goal is to conduct at least 60% of the class in Spanish by the end of the fall semester.
Supplies Need:
- Five-subject spiral notebook
- Loose leaf notebook paper
- Pencils/pencils
- Highlighters
- Colored pencils or markers or Sharpies
- English/Spanish dictionary
- A box of tissues
- Antibacterial wipes (not required but helpful!)
- Spanish Vocabulary by BarCharts, Inc.: ISBN-13: 978-1572225503 (Optional but helpful)
Grading Procedure:
Grades encompass a variety of academic activities, including tests, in-class work, projects, homework, workbook exercises, online assignments, as well as listening, writing, and speaking activities. Utilizing PowerSchool allows both you and your parents to monitor your performance in class and identify any missing assignments. If you have inquiries or concerns regarding your grade, don't hesitate to approach me after school. I typically update grades on PowerSchool within one week of an assignment's due date. It's important to note that grades are not adjusted; you will receive the grade you have earned.
Participation: Active involvement holds great significance within a language classroom. Consequently, your active participation is anticipated in various activities including games, projects, and exercises aimed at fostering Spanish-speaking skills.
Homework: Assignments will be given nearly daily and must be submitted promptly at the start of class on the due date (within the first 3 minutes of class.) It is your responsibility to stay updated on deadlines and submit your work punctually. Classwork should be completed within the class period unless I grant permission to finish it at home due to time constraints. Tests will be scheduled regularly and announced beforehand. Active oral participation in class discussions is highly encouraged. All submitted work should be original and of high quality. Homework tasks and reminders about upcoming tests or projects will be posted on the Google Classroom page and on the classroom board.
Absences: When you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the information for the day(s) missed and to make up all the missed work. Tests and quizzes will appear as a zero in PowerSchool until they are made up.
Tardy: Arrive at class on time. You will be marked unexcused tardy if not in your assigned seat at the start of the period. Begin working on the “Do Now” at the start of the period. Students with excessive tardies will be given a referral.
Late work: Turning in late assignments loses its value as a learning opportunity because it is no longer aligned with what is happening in class. Please make sure to keep track of assignment due dates when turning them in. You will be given ample time to turn in assignments for full credit. I accept late work up to four days past the original due date. Late work is not accepted after four days including the weekend! Students will receive a zero for any assignment that is more than four days late. Please note that an assignment is considered late if it is not turned in at the beginning of the class period on which it is due. Absent students will receive extensions of the due date equal to the number of days absent. I hope this will encourage students to move towards responsibility, manage deadlines, and be better prepared for class.
10-10 Rule for Passes: No passes will be issued during the first and last 10 minutes of class unless for an emergency. Please request a pass to leave class. When leaving, fill out the sign-out sheet with your name, date, location headed to, and time you left. Upon return, fill out the time you came back into class. Hand over the pass back to me. When it becomes obvious that you are making it a habit of going to the bathroom just to get out of class, a meeting will be set up with the principal to address this issue. Class Rules
Class Rules Conduct Expectations:
- Arrive to class on time and prepared with all your materials, including pencils and/or pens, notebook, dictionary, textbook, and completed homework.
- Be in your seat and work on the "Bell Ringer" at the start of class when you arrive.
- Be respectful and courteous at all times.
- Do not disrupt the learning process.
- Participate in daily class activities which also include reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish. While I do not expect you to speak perfectly, I do expect you to try your best and to be prepared when called on.
- This class requires a lot of interpersonal communication and I expect that everyone will work together respectfully. I also expect you to listen quietly when I or others are speaking.
- Everyone is expected to clean up after themselves. Graffiti, improper waste disposal, or any other disrespect of school and individual property is not accepted in my classroom. We strive to maintain a clean and safe learning environment for everyone.
- Run your errands (bathroom, phone calls, locker, etc.) before you come to class. No one is allowed per school policy to leave the classroom during the first 10 minutes of class unless an emergency. Come prepared; bring all your materials to class.
Cell Phone Rule: My classroom rule is No cell phone use is allowed in class from bell to bell. If the student is found to violate the class rule, the student will be given a referral, I will contact the parents informing them of the incident, the phone will be confiscated and turned in to the High School Principal, and the student will be given ISS. If you have completed your class assignment, work on other class assignments, or read a book, do not create a disruptive atmosphere in class.
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Academic Dishonesty is any behavior on the part of a student that results in that student or any other student giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work that is not their own. Such acts include, but are not limited to copying, cheating, plagiarism, falsification/fabrication, unauthorized collaboration, or the use of any resource on an assignment that is not allowed by the instructor. Do your own work, do not copy, or allow others to copy from you. If you are caught cheating, copying, allowing someone to copy from you both students will receive a zero for the assignment and will not be permitted to make up the assignment, and will also receive a referral for academic discipline. Any student found utilizing a translator on assignments will receive a zero and will not be permitted to make up the assignment. The use of an online translator or a Spanish speaker to do your work is considered cheating. "Google Translate" is not permitted since it is not an accurate translation source. I recommend you purchase an English/Spanish dictionary instead.
Food or Drinks are not allowed in class: FOOD, CHIPS, CANDY, GUM, etc. are not allowed in class. Mice and bugs are easily attracted to food and drinks. Do not feed the mice. I keep a clean, safe, and organized learning environment for students.
PROJECT EXPECTATIONS:
Project-based learning is a significant portion of the grade in class. Scholars will be asked to do various projects throughout the year, with groups, partners, or solo. All project work should be done thoroughly and authentically by the scholar. Projects are generally worth multiple day’s assignments and check-in due dates are required. If within a group, work should be done equally. Consequences could include a zero being recorded for the assignment and possibly more.
ASK Academy scholars are expected to arrive on time (8:00AM) and be adequately prepared for their day. Please contact The ASK Academy on the website at: https://www.theaskacademy.org and click the Attendance link on the home page or call 505-891-0757 to notify us of your scholar’s absence.
Uniform Policy
The Academy requires that all scholars wear a prescribed uniform.
Tops (Shirts) – All scholars must wear an ASK polo shirt, with the ASK logo, purchased from an approved ASK vendor. The color of the ASK polo shirt identifies the scholar with their selected career pathway. Polo shirts will not be overly baggy, nor exceedingly tight. Shoulder seams must be at the shoulders, and shirts cannot hang down below mid-thigh level. Middle School – Red or Light Blue High School – Biomedical Sciences – Dark Green or Purple Engineering and Design – Royal Blue or Burgundy Bottoms (Pants) – Allowable pants/slacks of solid color (khaki or black) and should meet our uniform expectations. They should be of a non-stretch, khaki or similar material. No shorts, skorts, skirts, cargo pants (pants with many pockets) are allowed. No excessive “sagging” is allowed. Inseam of pants must be where legs and torso join. Excessively tight pants such as spandex, yoga pants, leggings, sweat pants or other non-uniform fabrics are not allowed.
Footwear
Scholars must wear closed-toe shoes at all times at the Academy (no sandals, flip-flops, crocs, open-back shoes, slippers, or shoes made out of foam are allowed). Please remember that our learning spaces have sharps, blades, power tools, solvents, and acids so adherence to this policy is a priority. No headwear Hats, bandanas, beanies, headbands with extraneous distractors, etc. including sweatshirt hoods, are not allowed inside the Academy. Exemptions for headwear that may be required for religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Outerwear
Jackets will not qualify as a replacement to an ASK polo. Jackets may be worn as long as they have a zipper front and are not excessively baggy (shoulder seams are at the shoulders and cannot hang below mid-thigh level). When worn inside, jackets must allow full view of the ASK polo (be worn unzipped indoors). Scholars can wear sweatshirts and hoodies under, but not over the ASK polo. Please remember that the ASK polo is one of our layers of security. Clothing or jewelry that are determined to pose a risk to potential injury while in the learning environment will not be permitted. Attire or accessories which advertise, display or promote any drug, alcohol, tobacco, gang, sexual activity, violence, disrespect or bigotry towards any group, or items that are associated with a gang are not permitted. All attire should be suitable for a professional environment.
