THE RULES OF THE GAME

Spanish 1

Grading Criteria:

50% Oral and written tests and quizzes (Acción program) and special projects.

20% Daily participation in class (Oral and attendance)

20% Homework and other assignments

10% Class Readiness

Class Participation

Learning a foreign language requires frequent exposure to the language and regular practice. For that reason, class attendance is mandatory. It will be difficult to complete the exercises and activities in class if you have not reviewed the grammatical explanations and completed the exercises assigned. You are expected to come prepared to class, having reviewed the material to be covered and ready to submit homework assignments on time.

Classroom participation is evaluated on a daily basis. Daily evaluation is based upon the following scale:

5 Well prepared for class, excellent participation (in terms of quality and quantity), solid control of grammar. In other words, excellent.

4 Prepared for class, a good deal of participation (in terms of quantity and quality), some control of grammar. In other words, good.

3 Participates in class but showing evidence of insufficient grammatical preparation (quality).

2 Present in class but holding a rather passive, not pro-active attitude (i.e. answering only when addressed), even if showing evidence of sufficient , good or excellent preparation when asked.

1 Present in class but showing evidence of little or insufficient preparation (neither quantity nor quality), a lack of control of grammar.

0 ABSENT (You cannot participate if you are not in class!) or UNPREPARED FOR CLASS (did not bring textbook, binder, homework, or writing instrument)

Quizzes and Tests

• There is always a quiz at the end of each lesson, and a test at the end of each chapter. Students know that a quiz is imminent when the lesson is completed.
• Special projects, such as research projects, oral reports and occasional role-playing (skits) activities are evaluated using rubrics and counted towards the students’ quiz/test grade.
• A student absent on the day of an announced quiz or test must be prepared to take a make up test upon returning to class. Only when a student has been absent when the quiz or test was announced and through the review lesson will an exception be made. In this case, the student has as many days as he/she was absent to prepare for the quiz/test. IT IS THE STUDENT’RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE TEACHER FOR AFTER- SCHOOL HELP AND MAKE UP TEST/QUIZ. If student fails to take the make up test/quiz within the time allowed, the test/quiz will be marked as a “0”.

Homework and other Assignments:

Homework must be turned in on the day it is due. No credit will be given for late homework or assignments. If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work and bring it on the day he/she returns.

Every Monday, students receive a schedule for the week. It lists the activities, assignments, upcoming quizzes/tests, and any other information that the students need to know. Students therefore know in advance what they need for the week and may refer to this schedule in the event of an absence.

Rules, rules, rules! But it really is very simple: Come to class, be prepared. Participate, have fun. Respect yourself and others. Open your mind and your heart. Enjoy the experience. Habla español.