¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español!
‘Welcome to Spanish class’—hopefully the information on this page will help to make the experience successful and enjoyable for us all. Our ultimate goal is for you to be able to use Spanish in everyday situations. Whether you are a true beginner or have some experience in the language, you should be pleased with how much of the language you can understand and express at the end of the semester and the year.
Success in this class requires you to train like you would for a sport, a music class, or other type of performance. If tests, quizzes and presentations are your ‘games’ or ‘recitals’, then homework and daily preparation are your ‘practices’ and ‘rehearsals’. In the same way that you cannot merely watch a performance and then reproduce it at a high level without preparation, so it is with Spanish. You need to prepare/train daily. Even if there is not an ‘at-home’ assignment, you have training to do every day. Introductory [7th/8th grade] class grade, as well as, Level 1 and 2 classes grades for each nine weeks will be a single 100% average of all assignments and assessments.
All tests and quizzes are cumulative, which means they can and will include vocabulary, grammar, and other information from anything covered to that point. Major tests (chapter exams) will be announced at least two days in advance. These will assess vocabulary, listening, reading, writing, and periodically, speaking skills. Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced!
Grades in each category are accumulated points divided by the total number of possible points. There is never a guarantee of how many points there will be in any category in any 9-week period. The lesson here is to always do all the work and not expect to raise your grade at the last minute.
I do not allow ‘extra points’ work.
There are a variety of resources available to help you be successful in this class. Your textbook is available online, so you can use it from anywhere that has internet access. I will provide the link for this at a later date. After school extra help sessions are available after the student and parent have conferenced with me [in person or via email] to set up an appointment [best way to contact me is via email—[email protected]]
After years of teaching I can warn you of certain pitfalls students need to avoid. First, staying caught up is crucial. Due to the progressive and cumulative nature of the class, even the strongest of students struggles to catch up once he/she is behind. Ask questions and come to me immediately if you feel that you are starting to feel lost. Second, come to class prepared. There is no substitute for active participation in class and most of the activities cannot be ‘made up’. Third, always do you own work in the time assigned. Unless otherwise directed, all work is designed to be completed by you and you alone. While dictionaries, handouts, and other resources provided for you in class are appropriate to use in preparing your work, friends or relatives who speak Spanish and electronic dictionaries and translators (including those online) are not. [I can tell when you have used a translation site or a native speaker has done the work for you and if I even suspect their use a grade of zero will be given.]
Classroom Expectations
My main rule is:You simply have to do what is asked of you and not do anythings that will cause a disruption in the class. DON’T CAUSE A PROBLEM. The consequence of breaking that rule is just as simple: I WILL DO SOMETHING [guaranteed to be UNPLEASANT] TO RE-MEDIATE THE PROBLEM---and you will learn that I always keep my word! As a junior high student, you are well aware of what behavior is appropriate and expected in the classroom…and what behavior will result in ‘A PROBLEM’.
Classroom Procedures
How to enter the classroom: Please enter the classroom quietly and under control. “Visiting” should be done between classes and finished before entering the door. Once the tardy bell rings students who arrived before you will be working; your entrance should not disrupt them. When you enter the room, here is what you should do:
1. No food or drinks are allowed…deposit any you may have in the trash outside the room.
2. Get your computer and your workbook from the shelf before going to your desk.
3. Have your materials ready [at-home assignment, paper, pencil, book, workbook] and be in your seat when the bell rings or you will be counted tardy.
4. Read the board/overhead to see what your first assignment/bell ringer is…and begin it without further instruction from the teacher.
If you are tardy:
1. You must have a tardy slip from the office or note from another teacher to enter the class to have an excused tardy.
2. Enter without disrupting the class. Quietly hand me your tardy slip/note and follow normal classroom entrance procedures.
Leaving the classroom…generally will not be permitted at all during instructional time. In the event of an emergency you must receive permission to leave the room. Please use the restroom, get a drink of water, go to the nurse, etc… before coming to class.
End of the period…Class is not dismissed until the teacher (not the bell) dismisses you. When you are dismissed you should:
1. Gather any trash to throw away as you exit the room
2. Return computer to proper shelf and plug it up, take all your belongings and, if you are leaving your workbook in the classroom, return your workbook neatly to the shelf/crate
Asking questions or requesting help during class work time…Please raise your hand, continue working to the best of your ability, and wait quietly to be acknowledged.
How to keep your notebook
1. You should have a 3-ring bind/folder just for this class, or a special section in your binder. It needs to be neat and organized at all times.
2. Every handout and paper should be included in the notebook. Don't throw anything away!
3. Have paper available
Turning in papers…
1. All work turned in must have the proper identification ( last name then first name, assignment, date, class period) No name=No grade
2. When requested, assignments will be passed in, collected, and stapled together by the teacher…this means if one paper is ‘lost’ all will be ‘lost’.
3. I do accept partial work and will give partial credit.
4. If I take up an assignment and you do not have yours, you must turn in a “you slipped form”--sheet of paper with your name on it; the assignment page or description of the assignment that was to have been handed in; why you did not have the work completed; and your parents’ name, phone number and email. This does not excuse you from completing the assignment as soon as possible. I do accept partial work and will give partial credit.
5. Instructions for turning in assignments via computer will be given when we begin using the program
Responding to my request for attention… When I ask for your attention, I will call ‘atención’ and/or sound a bell and begin to count out-loud [in Spanish] to 5. As I count I will be expecting these 5 responses from students:
1. Eyes on speaker
2. All talking stops immediately
3. Be still
4. Hands free (put things down)
5. Listen attentively so that the information does not have to be repeated
Moving chairs/desks…There will be occasions when groups are formed and desks moved. Return them to their original locations when done or before leaving class.
Changing groups...Wait for all directions and to be told to “Go” before you quickly and quietly move to your group. Immediately begin the activity you were assigned.
If you finish early (individual or group)
1. Proofread your work
2. ** Review vocabulary**
3. Start on take-home assignments
4. ** Review vocabulary**
5. Read one of the elementary level Spanish books/magazines
6. ** Review vocabulary**
Profe. Wixson’s desk…no student is allowed behind my desk at any time. If you need to see/borrow something from my desk you must ask for and receive permission first and return the object to its ‘home’ when you are finished.
If you have a question about a grade or you need help or a conference…
1. See Profe. Wixson in person before or after class to set up an appointment . I am available every day after school but my duty day-Friday
Or
2. Email Profe. Wixson at [email protected]
Parents need to contact the school to get the code and password for the student’s online grade report.
Supply Lists
Each student is responsible for bringing to class everyday:
1. 3 ring binder/folder or special section in binder with plenty of paper
2. Blue or black pens and/or pencils
3. Your Spanish workbook (level 1 and 2) [These can be left in the classroom]
4. Your composition book (intro/pre Spanish class) [These can be left int he classroom]
5. Dry erase markers
Individual and/or class projects might also require additional materials. Any contributions to the class supply of dry-erase markers, Kleenex, and hand sanitizer are also nice! My supply of these ran out last year!
¡Muchas Gracias!
Profesora Wixson
‘Welcome to Spanish class’—hopefully the information on this page will help to make the experience successful and enjoyable for us all. Our ultimate goal is for you to be able to use Spanish in everyday situations. Whether you are a true beginner or have some experience in the language, you should be pleased with how much of the language you can understand and express at the end of the semester and the year.
Success in this class requires you to train like you would for a sport, a music class, or other type of performance. If tests, quizzes and presentations are your ‘games’ or ‘recitals’, then homework and daily preparation are your ‘practices’ and ‘rehearsals’. In the same way that you cannot merely watch a performance and then reproduce it at a high level without preparation, so it is with Spanish. You need to prepare/train daily. Even if there is not an ‘at-home’ assignment, you have training to do every day. Introductory [7th/8th grade] class grade, as well as, Level 1 and 2 classes grades for each nine weeks will be a single 100% average of all assignments and assessments.
All tests and quizzes are cumulative, which means they can and will include vocabulary, grammar, and other information from anything covered to that point. Major tests (chapter exams) will be announced at least two days in advance. These will assess vocabulary, listening, reading, writing, and periodically, speaking skills. Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced!
Grades in each category are accumulated points divided by the total number of possible points. There is never a guarantee of how many points there will be in any category in any 9-week period. The lesson here is to always do all the work and not expect to raise your grade at the last minute.
I do not allow ‘extra points’ work.
There are a variety of resources available to help you be successful in this class. Your textbook is available online, so you can use it from anywhere that has internet access. I will provide the link for this at a later date. After school extra help sessions are available after the student and parent have conferenced with me [in person or via email] to set up an appointment [best way to contact me is via email—[email protected]]
After years of teaching I can warn you of certain pitfalls students need to avoid. First, staying caught up is crucial. Due to the progressive and cumulative nature of the class, even the strongest of students struggles to catch up once he/she is behind. Ask questions and come to me immediately if you feel that you are starting to feel lost. Second, come to class prepared. There is no substitute for active participation in class and most of the activities cannot be ‘made up’. Third, always do you own work in the time assigned. Unless otherwise directed, all work is designed to be completed by you and you alone. While dictionaries, handouts, and other resources provided for you in class are appropriate to use in preparing your work, friends or relatives who speak Spanish and electronic dictionaries and translators (including those online) are not. [I can tell when you have used a translation site or a native speaker has done the work for you and if I even suspect their use a grade of zero will be given.]
Classroom Expectations
My main rule is:You simply have to do what is asked of you and not do anythings that will cause a disruption in the class. DON’T CAUSE A PROBLEM. The consequence of breaking that rule is just as simple: I WILL DO SOMETHING [guaranteed to be UNPLEASANT] TO RE-MEDIATE THE PROBLEM---and you will learn that I always keep my word! As a junior high student, you are well aware of what behavior is appropriate and expected in the classroom…and what behavior will result in ‘A PROBLEM’.
Classroom Procedures
How to enter the classroom: Please enter the classroom quietly and under control. “Visiting” should be done between classes and finished before entering the door. Once the tardy bell rings students who arrived before you will be working; your entrance should not disrupt them. When you enter the room, here is what you should do:
1. No food or drinks are allowed…deposit any you may have in the trash outside the room.
2. Get your computer and your workbook from the shelf before going to your desk.
3. Have your materials ready [at-home assignment, paper, pencil, book, workbook] and be in your seat when the bell rings or you will be counted tardy.
4. Read the board/overhead to see what your first assignment/bell ringer is…and begin it without further instruction from the teacher.
If you are tardy:
1. You must have a tardy slip from the office or note from another teacher to enter the class to have an excused tardy.
2. Enter without disrupting the class. Quietly hand me your tardy slip/note and follow normal classroom entrance procedures.
Leaving the classroom…generally will not be permitted at all during instructional time. In the event of an emergency you must receive permission to leave the room. Please use the restroom, get a drink of water, go to the nurse, etc… before coming to class.
End of the period…Class is not dismissed until the teacher (not the bell) dismisses you. When you are dismissed you should:
1. Gather any trash to throw away as you exit the room
2. Return computer to proper shelf and plug it up, take all your belongings and, if you are leaving your workbook in the classroom, return your workbook neatly to the shelf/crate
Asking questions or requesting help during class work time…Please raise your hand, continue working to the best of your ability, and wait quietly to be acknowledged.
How to keep your notebook
1. You should have a 3-ring bind/folder just for this class, or a special section in your binder. It needs to be neat and organized at all times.
2. Every handout and paper should be included in the notebook. Don't throw anything away!
3. Have paper available
Turning in papers…
1. All work turned in must have the proper identification ( last name then first name, assignment, date, class period) No name=No grade
2. When requested, assignments will be passed in, collected, and stapled together by the teacher…this means if one paper is ‘lost’ all will be ‘lost’.
3. I do accept partial work and will give partial credit.
4. If I take up an assignment and you do not have yours, you must turn in a “you slipped form”--sheet of paper with your name on it; the assignment page or description of the assignment that was to have been handed in; why you did not have the work completed; and your parents’ name, phone number and email. This does not excuse you from completing the assignment as soon as possible. I do accept partial work and will give partial credit.
5. Instructions for turning in assignments via computer will be given when we begin using the program
Responding to my request for attention… When I ask for your attention, I will call ‘atención’ and/or sound a bell and begin to count out-loud [in Spanish] to 5. As I count I will be expecting these 5 responses from students:
1. Eyes on speaker
2. All talking stops immediately
3. Be still
4. Hands free (put things down)
5. Listen attentively so that the information does not have to be repeated
Moving chairs/desks…There will be occasions when groups are formed and desks moved. Return them to their original locations when done or before leaving class.
Changing groups...Wait for all directions and to be told to “Go” before you quickly and quietly move to your group. Immediately begin the activity you were assigned.
If you finish early (individual or group)
1. Proofread your work
2. ** Review vocabulary**
3. Start on take-home assignments
4. ** Review vocabulary**
5. Read one of the elementary level Spanish books/magazines
6. ** Review vocabulary**
Profe. Wixson’s desk…no student is allowed behind my desk at any time. If you need to see/borrow something from my desk you must ask for and receive permission first and return the object to its ‘home’ when you are finished.
If you have a question about a grade or you need help or a conference…
1. See Profe. Wixson in person before or after class to set up an appointment . I am available every day after school but my duty day-Friday
Or
2. Email Profe. Wixson at [email protected]
Parents need to contact the school to get the code and password for the student’s online grade report.
Supply Lists
Each student is responsible for bringing to class everyday:
1. 3 ring binder/folder or special section in binder with plenty of paper
2. Blue or black pens and/or pencils
3. Your Spanish workbook (level 1 and 2) [These can be left in the classroom]
4. Your composition book (intro/pre Spanish class) [These can be left int he classroom]
5. Dry erase markers
Individual and/or class projects might also require additional materials. Any contributions to the class supply of dry-erase markers, Kleenex, and hand sanitizer are also nice! My supply of these ran out last year!
¡Muchas Gracias!
Profesora Wixson