Kacy Land, 7th Spanish

 

8^th Grade Spanish Syllabus

 

landk@fultonschools.org                              Kacy Land                                              678-297-3240

 

Materials:

· ¡En español!, (uno), McDougal Littell ($54.39)

· ¡En español! Más práctica, McDougal Littell ($11.00)

· ¡En español! Actividades para todos, McDougal Littell ($11.00)

· Index Cards

· 3-Ring Binder

· Loose Leaf Paper

· Pencil / Pen

 

Course Description:

The 8^th grade Spanish curriculum is a high school level course and a continuation of 7^th grade Spanish.  It focuses on the completion of Units 4, 5, and 6 of the En español textbook. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to speak, comprehend, read, and write at a novice-mid to novice-high level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, and they will earn one Carnegie unit towards high school graduation.  (Fulton County requires two Carnegie units of world language study in the same language in order to graduate with a college preparatory diploma.)  The first and second semester averages are the grades that appear on the high school transcript.  Please refer to the Table of Contents in the En español text for an outline of topics to be covered this year.

 

Grading Scheme:

Written Tests                                      20%

Lab Activities (Oral / Aural)*              20%

Projects*                                            15%

Written Quizzes                                  20%

Homework/Class Work                       15%

Class Participation                              10%

* Denotes alternative assessments

 

Provision for improving grades:

I do not offer extra credit.  According to Fulton County Policy, the Recovery Procedure is as follows:  “Students who have low (73 or below) or failing cumulative grades may ask the teacher for opportunities to improve their grade when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.”

 

Absences:

 Students are responsible for completing and turning in all make up work (including assessments) within five school days of their absence.

 

Teacher / Parent Communication:

I believe in an open line of communication between parents and teachers, and I will not hesitate to contact you regarding your student’s progress.  In return, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or compliments about course material or your student’s success.  Please use Parent Connect to access grades.

 

Extra Help:  I am available by appointment only on Wednesday mornings from 7:50-8:10.

 

 

 

8^th Grade Classroom Procedures

 

Internet use:

Students should not use online translating services or native speakers to translate sentences into the target language.  Any work turned in that is created using either method will not be accepted.  For translation of specific words or phrases, the use of a Spanish/English dictionary, including dictionaries online, and/or native speakers is accepted and encouraged.

 

Requesting make-up work:

All make up assignments are written on the dry erase calendar beside the door.  Students are responsible for checking this calendar and copying the make-up work in the agenda.  Students are responsible for completing and turning in all make up work (including assessments) within five school days of the absence.  If a student knows in advance that he or she will be absent, I must be notified at least two days in advance in order to provide the work.

 

Discipline:

The rules outlined in the Fulton County Discipline Handbook as well as the 8^th grade discipline policy will be observed in the classroom.  Additionally, students in Mrs. Land’s class must arrive to class on time, prepared, and without food, candy, gum, or beverage (water is allowed).  If a student does not abide by these classroom rules, he or she will receive a “strike”.  Three strikes will result in a detention in Mrs. Land’s room.

 

Passes out of class:

For safety reasons, students will not be allowed out of class without a signed agenda.  If a student needs to use the restroom or get water, he/she must go at the beginning of class.  Students will not be allowed to leave class to get materials or assignments out of the locker.  If a student leaves an assignment in the locker, he/she may turn it in at the end of the school day or the next day of class for half credit.

 

Participation:

Ten percent of the grade for this class is participation.  The majority of the class is conducted in Spanish, and students are expected to speak Spanish in the classroom.  Students receive points for volunteering and actively participating during the lessons.  On occasion there will be opportunities to receive participation points for written assignments, online activities, or by using Spanish outside of the classroom.  Two participation grades are entered in the grade book every nine weeks.