Spanish I & Exploratory Wheel
Hola! and welcome to Mrs. Steinman�s Spanish class! This year we will be studying conversational Spanish in an interesting and interactive way, learning how to listen, speak, read, and write in the target language. We will also be viewing various aspects of the colorful Hispanic culture, such as music, dance, food, important celebrations, traditions, holidays, and day-to-day living and routines.
This course is taught using music, games, computer technology, movement, student-to-student interaction, and multiple intelligence theory strategies. Learning how to read, write, and speak Spanish will create opportunities for you in many aspects of your life---personal, academic, professional, etc.!
Becoming bilingual takes practice, practice, and more practice (just like learning how to play a musical instrument or a sport)! It takes work, dedication, enthusiasm, organization, passion, and self-discipline. Together we will set high expectations, work hard, have fun, and learn a lot!
As your teacher I love what I do, and most importantly, care about the success and well being of each one of you. If it is your desire to be successful in my class, you will adhere to the following expectations:
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
I begin each year confident that all of my Spanish students possess integrity and intelligence. Together as a team, we will maintain a positive, fun and fair classroom environment that promotes learning and respect for one another at all times. You are responsible for the behavior of only one person in this class�yourself! It is my hope that you will make the choice to be polite and courteous at all times, and treat others the way you wish to be treated. Being kind, polite, respectful, and responsible is exemplified in the following ways:
1. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings and begin to work on the bell assignment. Remain seated unless given permission to leave your seat.
2. Be prepared for class. Bring necessary materials to class each day (see below). Materials and homework should be on the desks at the beginning of class.
3. Listen when others are presenting. Give your complete attention.
4. No food, drinks, candy, gum, etc. in the classroom. Water bottles are OK.
5. Respect property not belonging to you. (If an item doesn't belong to you, please do not write on it or touch it without permission).
6. Respect others. NO PUT DOWNS. Raise your hand (and wait to be called on) when you wish to speak.
7. Take pride in our classroom by helping to keep it neat and clean. Please pick up liter without being asked.
8. Leave �ho-hum� outside and bring passion for learning inside.
DAILY REQUIRED MATERIALS
1. Several sharpened pencils.
2. Black or blue pen for class & homework (I will not accept work written in any other color, except for art projects).
3. Three-hole lined paper.
4. Three-hole notebook/binder in which to place all classwork, homework, notes, and handouts in a neat and organized manner.
5. Colored pencils or pens for art projects (optional but good to have).
6. A pocket-sized Spanish/English-English/Spanish dictionary (optional but good to have).
We are all here to learn Spanish in an academic environment. Any articles, which interfere with on-task attention will be considered a toy and will be taken from you and will not be returned until after the class period.
IN CASE YOU ARE ABSENT
All activities in class require your personal participation. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what work or assignments you missed. Check �schoolnotes.com� for work or ask a reliable friend. If you have any questions please see me after class. You may have as many days as you were legally absent to make up missing work and receive full credit. It is your responsibility to show me your completed work so that you can receive credit. If you plan to be away from school, get your work from me in advance. See me before/after school or at the end of class, but not during class time. If you are absent on a quiz or exam day, you may make it up after school on a day announced. If you do not make it up on this day, a zero will be given for that quiz or exam.
TEXTBOOK
Textbook: BUEN VIAJE by Schmitt & Woodford
Workbook: BUEN VIAJE (to be purchased in the office for $5.00)
For Exploratory Wheel
Textbook: VOCES Y VISTAS by Reynolds, Rodriguez & Schonfeld
QUIZZES AND EXAMS
There will be both announced and unannounced quizzes throughout the year. It is imperative that you keep current with the continuously new information we learn. Exams will always be announced. There will be a comprehensive exam at the end of the year in order to determine if you are ready for Spanish 2. Also, you will tutor Spanish speaking 1st or 2nd graders for a day in Spanish to prove you are able to communicate in the language (not for Exploratory Wheel).
Please take pride in your work and don�t hand in messy papers. If I can�t read it I will mark it incorrect and I will not change it even if you verbally tell me what you meant to write.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
There will be a few oral presentations throughout the year either in small groups or individual. They are FUN, there is no reason to stress out about them!