James B. Conant High School

Department of Foreign Languages

Instructor: Anthony Spizzirri                               Phone number: 847-755-3730

Office: Room 251                                            Email: aspizzirri@d211.org

Spanish 1 Course Guidelines

Materials

The following materials should be brought to class daily:

1. Textbook and workbook (including test days).

2. Notebook and folder- notes and handouts are given daily.

3. Pen, pencil, paper

4. Books must be covered all year- if your book is not covered you will receive a homework zero.

** You will be marked unprepared and receive a homework zero if you do not have your materials everyday in class.

Absences and Make-Up of Homework/Tests

Rules for making up missed work (if you are excused):

          1. You have as many days to make up your work as the number of days

missed.

2. It is your responsibility to…

          …find out what you missed

          …get extra help

          …go to Test Make-Up

3. If you have missed the class the day before a test (that day only) you

will be required to take the test as scheduled.  If you miss the day of the

test (that day only) you will take the test the day you return.

4. Work can be made up from an unexcused absence, but it is lowered

one letter grade.

5. Work cannot be made up from a truancy.  You will receive no credit (a

zero) for any work done in class during your truancy.

Homework

Daily work will be checked at the beginning of the class period.

1.      Work is to be COMPLETELY done before you enter the classroom

 (Do not leave any blanks).  If your homework is not finished you will be marked unprepared and will earn a zero.

          2. Homework zeroes: The third time you are unprepared, your parents will

          be contacted.  After the third zero your final nine-week grade will be

          lowered by one point for each subsequent zero.

Grades

          Grades will be updated as often as possible on the District 211 Gradebook.  You will be given your identification and password and you will be able to access your grade online through the Conant Website at www.conantcougars.com.  Parents will also be notified of updates by email.

Grading Scale

99-100 A+               88-89 B+                80-81 C+                72-73 D+       0-65 F

92-98   A                 84-87 B                   76-79 C                   66-71 D

90-91   A-                82-83 B-                  74-75 C-

Speaking In Spanish

          You cannot learn Spanish if you do not speak Spanish. Therefore, speaking in Spanish will be the central goal of the class.  Students will be asked to talk about situations that are going on in their lives, in the school, and in the world.  To encourage authentic communication, students will be asked to speak in a comfortable group setting.  Because speaking Spanish is such an important part of the course, students will receive a participation grade twice a quarter.

Cheating

The following behaviors are considered cheating:

          1. Eyes anywhere but on your own paper.

          2. Cheat sheets or any book, notebook, or assignment open during a test

or quiz.

3. Copying on quizzes, tests, dialogues, and homework.

4. Writing found on hands, desks, or on backs of notebooks or folders.

5. Any talking or whispering during an quiz or exam.  If you have a question,

raise your hand.

If you are discovered cheating, you will be referred to 105 and will receive zero credit for that work.  Parents will be notified.

Respect

Every student in class will be treated with respect by classmates as well as by me.  In order to facilitate a comfortable atmosphere in class, no negative talk or comments will be tolerated.  Everyone is entitled to a safe learning environment and any compromise to this will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

Let’s have a fun and successful year!  I am excited to teach Spanish 1 and I hope that we learn a lot, but mostly I want you to enjoy speaking in Spanish. 

I have read all of these rules and understand what is expected of me in class.  I have shared this information with my parents/guardians.

Student signature:________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature:_________________________________

Lastly,  this year Spanish 1 students will need to buy their workbooks, unless other arrangements are made.  The cost is $14.  Please pay this amount as soon as possible.  Checks should be made out to “Conant High School.”  Thank you.