Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I am incredibly happy and grateful to have another opportunity to teach your child this year. As the resident Spanish teacher, I have planned an exciting and informative year for my students. Please take some time to review the class syllabus with my rules, procedures, and expectations. As always, let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to another successful school year.
Thanks for your support!
~Mr. Hockwater
Course Description
Spanish 7 is an intermediate Spanish course that builds off of the language skills learned and acquired in Spanish 6. Students will bolster their Spanish speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and improve their fluency and proficiency. Some major topics of study that will be explored in this course include expressing possession, describing family members, describing people and their clothing, describing school (classes, objects, schedules, etc.), ordering food at a restaurant, telling time, expressing emotion, discussing sports, describing the weather, and stating opinions. In addition to the Spanish language, students will also learn about the history, people, and cultures of Spanish speaking countries, with an emphasis on Puerto Rico.
Assignments
Homework and Classwork: Homework will be assigned often, most likely on a weekly basis. Since students only have Spanish class two days a week, it is of the utmost importance that assignments are completed diligently and turned in on time. Homework assignments will almost always be collected and go for a grade. If students are home working on an assignment and have a question, please feel free to email me/have them email me, or come to me before/after class. I am happy to help and clarify things.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given every couple of weeks for each “Etapa” or chapter or topic of study. These will be relatively short and focused assessments that test students’ knowledge of the material and will let me know what, if anything, needs to be reviewed before we continue on. I will give students one week advance notice of quiz dates and spend some time reviewing with them in class. As always, students must also be sure to study at home and on their own. They can email me with any questions about the quiz or material. NOTE: Students who score below mastery (below an 85%) will be given the opportunity to make corrections and gain back half of their points lost. ALSO, note that all quizzes must be signed a parent(s) and returned to school. Students who fail to show me a signed quiz will be given one chance to bring it to me signed the next day/class. If still not signed by a parent(s), I will simply send an email home to check in and make sure that parents are aware of their child’s progress.
Tests: Tests will be given whenever we finish a “Unidad”/Unit, most likely every month or two. Material on these tests will consist of material from the entire unit and quizzes. I will give students at least two weeks advance notice before a test and spend time reviewing with them in class. As always, students must also be sure to study at home and on their own. They can email me with any questions about the test or material. NOTE: Students who score below mastery (below an 85%) will be given the opportunity to make corrections and gain back half of their points lost. ALSO, note that all tests must be signed a parent(s) and returned to school. Students who fail to show me a signed test will be given one chance to bring it to me signed the next day/class. If still not signed by a parent(s), I will simply send an email home to check in and make sure that parents are aware of their child’s progress.
Projects: Fun and creative projects may be assigned in lieu of or in conjunction with tests and/or quizzes. These may be individual or group projects that allow students some choice and freedom. Specific directions and guidelines will be given whenever a new project is assigned. Students will have ample time to complete these projects both in and out of class.
Extra Credit Opportunities: There may be some opportunities for extra credit throughout the year. I will notify students and parents when they become available. Specific directions and guidelines will be given when extra credit assignments/opportunities are assigned.
Policy for Late/Missing Assignments: A student essentially has three chances to turn in assignments. The first time a student forgets to complete or turn in an assignment, I will be understanding and forgiving. I will simply ask that he/she complete it and hand it in to me directly the next day/class. If the student still fails to complete or turn in an assignment the next day/class, 10% will be deducted from the the student’s grade for that assignment (i.e. the highest grade a student could get might be a 9/10). I then expect the assignment to be completed and given to me ASAP. Each day the assignment is missing/not completed, an additional 10% will be deducted from the student’s grade for that assignment. The third time/day I ask for the assignment and the student still does not have it, I will send an email home and give the student a demerit slip. If I notice any bad habits, frequent patterns of missing work, or significant drop in grades, I will notify parents immediately.
Policy for Cheating/Plagiarism: Any student who is caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a zero for that assignment and I will notify the parents immediately. For a first offense, students may be able to re-do/re-submit the assignment for half-credit. However, there will be no second chances.
Policy for Absences: Students who are absent from class must check with their Study Buddies (assigned by homeroom teachers) to see what they missed. Students are also encouraged to approach me and ask me what happened in class that day and what assignments need to be completed. Students who are absent when an assignment is assigned will have 1 extra day to complete it (i.e. a student is absent Tuesday and missed an assignment that is due Thursday [next class] will have until Tuesday [following class] to complete it and hand it in). Students who are absent the day an assignment is due will be expected to hand it in their first day back to class. Students who miss a quiz or a test must speak with me to make arrangements to make them up. This can be done during lunch, study halls, or before/after school. Students will have one week to make up the quiz or test. NOTE: I understand that “life happens” and students may not be able to complete an assignment on time or take a quiz or test on the assigned day. In these rare, but understandable circumstances, an email or note from the parents is required explaining the situation (severe illness, death in the family, house fire, etc.). I will be happy to work with you to get back on track and complete all assignments in a reasonable time and manner.
Grading Policy: Grades in eSchool are weighted and calculated using the following formula: Homework/Classwork (40%) Quizzes (20%) Tests (30%) Projects (10%)
I will update eSchool regularly to keep it up-to-date with the most recent assignments and grades. Remember, all quizzes and tests must be signed and returned. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me and we can discuss them. I want all of my students to academically succeed and personally achieve. NOTE: School-wide failing average is 70% and below. ALSO, students who maintain an overall average of 94% or higher will be exempt from the final exam. Yes, there will be a comprehensive final exam that will cover material taught from September-May. It will involve listening, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. More information and a detailed outline of what will be on it will be handed out towards the end of year. It is my understanding that there will be no final exam for students in grades 4 & 5.
Rules, Procedures, & Expectations
No talking out of turn; Speak only when spoken to by me. Always be sure to raise your hand if you have a question, comment, or concern. We do not have time to entertain side conversations this year. We need to be ultra focused on the two days I see you. If I have to ask a student to be quiet more than three times I will issue that student a demerit slip. If constant talking become an issue, I will notify parents.
Remain seated and focused during instruction. Please no aimlessly wandering the classroom or multiple trips to the tissue box, garbage, or pencil sharpener.
Listen carefully to directions. Your eyes should be on me when I am talking.
Come prepared to class with all of your materials (textbook, notebook, folder, pen/pencil, etc.). In the event that you forget your materials/supplies, you may look on with another student or borrow their supplies.
RESPECT. Students are expected to respect themselves, teachers and staff, fellow students, and school property. I strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, accepting, and supportive classroom environments where all students are encouraged to participate and actively construct their learning.
All assignments will be completed diligently and on time. Homework is an important part of school that reinforces skills and knowledge learned in class. Class notes should also be reviewed on a daily basis, especially since students will only be in class two times a week.
NOTE: Parents, you have done a great job raising incredibly kind, respectful, and responsible children. I expect them to exhibit these good qualities in my classroom. If a significant behavioral issue ever arises, I will contact you immediately to resolve it.
Extra Help: I am more than happy to help students before or after class/school to help them with assignments, clarify misconceptions, and offer any other assistance. Arrangements can be made by emailing me.
Technology: I have created online learning spaces for students to practice the language skills they learn in class. During the first week or two of school, I will show students how to log into and use Quizlet, Senor Wooly, and Google Classroom, as well as my school website. Students can use these resources to study and reinforce their learning. I will occasionally assign homework assignments that involve these tools/websites, so please let me know if your child does not have access to technology at home and we can make alternate arrangements.