SYLLABUS
Spanish II Instructor : Amanda Potasznik
Room 203 Web site: potasznik.blogspot.com
Tutoring:By appt.
Academic Dishonesty: Students should do their own work on all assignments and tests. If cheating is suspected, parents will be notified, documentation will be provided, and the student will receive a 0. There will be no retests for failure due to cheating. It is at my discretion to determine cheating. All incidents shall remain confidential. I will submit a discipline referral to the appropriate administrator if a student engages in academic dishonesty which is grounds for dismissal from the National Honor Society.
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend 90% of the class time. This applies to excused and unexcused absences. If a student fails to attend the required number of classes, credit cannot be given without making up time missed and approval by the Attendance Committee.
Course Description: Students will acquire the grammar and basic vocabulary of the Spanish language. Students will gain cultural knowledge about Spain and many Spanish speaking nations. Students will learn basic techniques used in the study of all foreign languages.
Competencies: This course is designed to fulfill the basic language requirements for high school graduation. (The Texas Distinguished Achievement diploma requires 3 years of the same language.)
Students increase their knowledge of the world and come to a better understanding of their own culture in relation to others. By learning another language students will come to understand other points of view. SAT scores frequently improve as students use the knowledge of Spanish to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. This course is the second in a sequence of Spanish I, II, III, AP Language and Literature. This is NOT a course for native speakers.
Course Objectives: Every effort will be made to conduct the class solely in Spanish. Students will work towards high achievement on the Dallas ISD district wide ACP exams given in December and May. The text and exams focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening and prepare students to take AP language and literature courses for college admission and credit.
Modifications: Course modifications will be provided for any student whose Individual Educational Plan (IEP) included required modifications, academic adjustments and auxiliary aid.
Required Text:
Exprésate Level II, Spanish-English dictionary
Ms. Potasznik’s Classroom Procedures:
- We will use our binder every day, either to add new notes or as a resource for other assignments. Binder checks will be reported for a project grade.
- Turning in assignments is mandatory. Late homework will count for a maximum grade of 70, to be turned in no later than 2 days after the work is assigned.
- If you fail a test or exam: you will have ONE chance to retest for a maximum grade of 70. The average grade between the original or the retest will be documented.
- Students may not leave their seats during direct instruction (lecture) time without permission.
- If a student is late, they must quickly and quietly get a tardy pass and enter the room without disruption.
- If you missed a class entirely and need make-up work, consult the class site to clarify the exact assignment you need. If you have questions about the assignment, speak with the teacher after class time.
- Take care of restroom and other personal needs before you go to class.
- Paper Headings: See below.
- If you finish your work early: Start to familiarize yourself with the next chapter.
- When working in groups, be considerate of others. Even in groups, each student will be accountable for their own work.
Grading Policy (each 6 weeks):
Class/Homework: 40% Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, etc.): 25%
6 weeks Exam: 15% Projects (reports, research, compositions, presentations): 20%
One textbook chapter will be taught approximately every two weeks. Each exam tests reading, writing, and listening comprehension.
ACP exam will be 15% of semester grade. The average of the 3 six weeks grades will account for the remaining 85% of the semester grade.
Materials
The following materials are mandatory each day in class.
- Spanish section in your North Dallas binder
- 3 dividers: Administrative, notes, Graded/Returned
- Several blue or black pens, several pencils
- A Spanish/English dictionary, the bigger the better
- paper
Make Up Policy: If you are cleared to make up an assignment, that assignment is due within 2 days for a maximum grade of 70. See classroom procedures 2 and 3.
Your Paper Heading:
Assignment Explanations
Project: You must present on the due date to receive full credit.
Copy and Translate: Copy the Spanish sentences then give the English equivalent.
Bookwork: Teacher will distinguish what must be included: Question and Answer, Full Sentences, or Answers Only.
Copy and Define: Student must copy the Spanish from the book, then use either the text or a dictionary to give the English equivalent. The goal is to make a dictionary-like reference in the student binder. Illustrations may or may not be required as part of the grade.
Note Summary: Go through your notes from day 1, and make a separate copy of points you are not 100% sure about. Format must be bullet points, you cannot turn in original notes. No limit on number of pages.
Signatures
I accept this syllabus as it is presented to me as a guide for the expectations in this class.
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Teacher/Date Principal/Date Student/Date Parent/Date
