Contact information:
emcdaniel@forrestcountyahs.com
Note to parents:
Thank you for entrusting me with the education of your child. Allow me to tell you a little about myself.
My name is Elizabeth McDaniel. I am a Gulfport native, but lived in Guatemala for two years where I learned
most of my Spanish. Upon returning to the U.S., I graduated from USM with my Spanish Bachelors degree and
then took courses at William Carey University in order to obtain my Teachers License.
I am so excited to have your child in my class this semester. We will play games, watch videos, eat food,
and learn while doing it all!
I.CourseDescription
Thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswithnobackgroundknowledgeinthetargetlanguage.
Studentswilldevelopskillsinlistening,speaking,reading,andwritinginthetargetlanguage.
Emphasiswillbeonlearningtocommunicateinthetargetlanguageontopicsofdailylife,withfrequent
useofpairedpractice,smallgroupwork,androleplays.
Studentswillreadbasicdescriptionsoflifeincountrieswherethetargetlanguageisspokenandbe
introducedtovariousexamplesofauthentictextfoundintheculturesuchassigns,advertisementsand
letters.
BytheendofLevel1,studentswillhaveabasicunderstandingofhowtoexpressfeelingsandopinions,
describepeople,thingsandplaces,andmakerequestsatthemostbasiclevelinthetargetlanguage.
Studentswillbeabletoaskandanswersimplequestionsonfamiliartopics.
CourseMaterials/RequiredMaterials:
Textbook:Exprsate!Level1Holt,Reinhart&Winston,2008
3RingBinderwithpocketfoldertostoregrades,handouts,andpaper.
MechanicalorWoodenPencils:Workinpenwillnotbeaccepted.
Spanish/EnglishDictionary(recommended)purchasedatWalMart,Target,BarnesandNobles)
Onepackofcoloringpencils
Highlighter
II.CourseObjectives
Studentswillbeableto:
Activelyparticipateinclassroomdiscussions,partner/groupactivitiesbyspeakingtobothteacherand
classmatesinsimpleSpanish.
Takeresponsibilityforownlearningbykeepingcurrentwithassignmentsaswellasreviewing
vocabularyandgrammarasneeded.
CreatewithSpanishatabasiclevelandaskquestions
ItemsCoveredinTextbook:
Thiscoursewillcoveratleast8chapters,eachofwhichissubdividedintolessonsongrammar,
1
vocabulary,andculture.
Chapter1Greetings,goodbyes,numbers,time,monthsanddays
Chapter2Describingpeople,numbers32100,likesanddislikes
Chapter3Sportsandleisureactivities,weekendactivities
Chapter4Schoolsuppliesandequipment,schooleventsandplacesatschool
MIDTERMEXAM
Chapter5Familymembers,describingpeople(appearanceandpersonalitytraits),roomsinthehouse,
furnitureandaccessories,chores
Chapter6Lunchandrestaurantfoods,tablesettings,breakfastanddinnerfoods
Chapter8CityVocabulary,Clothing,colors,storesandmerchandise,expressionsoftime
FINALEXAM
III.BasicRules/ExpectationsandConsequences
As well as strictly enforcing handbook policy, I have certain regulations for this class:
1. Be in your seat and working when tardy bell rings.
2. Raise your hand to speak/leave your seat.
3. Respect the teacher and classmates.
4. Participate in classroom activities and discussions.
5. Complete homework.
Consequences
1. Verbal Warning
2. Withhold privilege/ take away earned pass
3. Contact parents
Students who follow school and classroom regulations will be given verbal praise and tickets to earn passes
(homework, bathroom, etc).
IV.Grades
Gradeswillbecalculatedbasedonthefollowingcategories:
Participation/DailyWork/Homework25%
Assessments(tests/projects/presentations/skits)50%
TermExams25%
Thefollowinggradingscalewillbeused:
A90100
D6070
B8090
F059
C7080
V.AcademicHonestyStatement:
AcademichonestyisexpectedinallSpanishclasses.Cheatingwillnotbetolerated!Violationsof
academichonestyinclude,butarenotlimitedto,copying,allowingsomeonetocopyyourpaper,using
cheatsheets,usingtechnologytotransmitorreceiveinformationwiththeintenttocommitacademic
dishonestyandplagiarizing.Anystudentcheatingwillbesubjecttoacademicand/ordisciplinary
penalties.Consequencesmayinclude:reductioningradeonassignment,repeatassignment,nograde
(zero)onassignmentorothersasdeemedappropriate.Academicdishonestywillbereportedtoa
schoolcounselorandaparentwillbenotified.
VI.Homework
A.Homeworkistohelpyoupracticenewmaterialandisworth5,10,or20points.Homeworkwillbe
markedbymeandturnedinatthebeginningofclassbeforethebellrings(lookattheinstructionson
theboardtofindoutthedailyrequirement).Itisyourresponsibilitytokeepanyhomeworkafter
returnedtoyouorgradedforpossiblestudynotes.
B.Incompleteandlatehomeworkassignmentswillnotbeaccepted.
C.Ifyouareabsentitisyourresponsibilitytofindoutwhatyoumissedbycheckingtheclasswebsite
orRemind101forthelessonand/orworkyoumissed.Whenyoureturn,yournamewillbelabeled
onanypapersyoushouldcomplete.Onlytakepapersthathaveyournameonthem.Obtainmissed
notesbyaskingaclassmate.Anyassignmentgiveninadvancewillbeduethedayyoureturnto
class.Ifyouareabsentonedayormore,Iexpectyoutoturninthenewassignment(s)withinthe
amountofdaysyoumissed.Ifitisnotturnedin,youwillreceiveagradeofzero.
D.Beingabsenttheclassperiodbeforeatestwillnot
excuseyoufromtakingatest.Ifyouarepresent,
youmusttakethequizortest.
VII.Participation
Atleastonceortwiceamonth,yourclassparticipationgradewillbebasedonthefollowingandyouwillhavea
chancetoselfevaluate.
910pts.Makesthemostofeveryopportunitytolearninclass
ALWAYSlistensclosely,remainsontask/topic,engagesinpartnerandgroupworkfully,tries
tospeakatthehighestlevelpossible,andasksgoodquestions
78.5pts.ATTIMESinattentive,doingotherwork,orwithoutthenecessarysuppliestoparticipatefully.
Talkingtoothersduringinstruction.
OCCASIONALLYneedsencouragementbeforebeginninganactivityormayspeakEnglish
whenSpanishistobespoken.Talkingtoothersinexcess.
56.5pts.GENERALLYOFFTASK,inattentive,usingcellphone,talkingexcessively,ordisruptingthe
class.
GENERALLYUNWILLINGtouseSpanishtorespondwhencalledon,toengageinpartner
work&otheractivitiesand/ortobringsuppliestoclass
VIII.AttendanceandCitizenship
A.Goodattendanceisimportantforlearningandgoodgrades.Spanishismuchlikemathweare
constructingafoundationfornewmaterialeachday.Beingpresentwillensureyourfoundationis
strong.
B.Beinclasseverydayunlessyouhaveanexcusedabsence.Anunexcusedabsencewillresultina
lossofpointspossibleforthatday.
IX.
RoutinesandProcedures
1.Whenenteringtheroomatthebeginningofclass,studentsaretowalk in quietly and find their assigned
seat. Turn in any assignment (homework) that is due into the correct assignment tray, making sure their name
and date are clearly labeled. Return to their desk, get out needed materials, and quickly begin bellwork
assignment written on the board.
2.Uponcallingrole,students are to answer with Aqui or Presente. If a student is not in his or her desk at
3
Date______________
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Parent/Guardian
Signature___________________________________________Date______________
Please check which method of contact you prefer:
__Phone:#________________________
or
__Email:_________________________________