COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Spanish I is a course designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of the Spanish language. The learning of a second language invovles the use of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, the student will be exposed to some cultural lessons dealing with the lives of the Spanish-speaking people. The student will learn theme-related vocabulary as well as regular AR, ER, and IR verbs of the present tense.
Spanish II is a continuation of the introductory course of the Spanish language. The student will use reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The student will review the present tense, study the types of stem-changing verbs as well as the preterite, and imperfect verb tenses. Additional vocabulary centered around theme-related units will be studied. In addition, the student will study some cultural aspects of the lives of the Spanish-speaking people.
Spanish III is a course designed for the students who have sucessfully completed two years of the Spanish. The student will use reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The student will review the present tense, and will concentrate on the present, preterite, and imperfect as well as the future and conditonal verb tenses. Vocabulary presented with theme-related units will also be learned. In addition, cultural aspects and social issues in Spanish-speaking countries will be discussed.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Homework and daily objectives are listed on the blackboard. Your child is to write BOTH in the agenda given on the first day at the beginning of class. I randomly check my student's planners. If either Homework or daily objectives is (are) missing, then I deduct five (5) points from the student's grade.
Each student is to bring his or her planner/agenda to class daily. The planner contains pages that are used as hall passes.
STUDENT ABSENCES: THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE for making up the work/assignments missed during the EXCUSED absence. The student is given three (3) days to make up the work missed. I DO NOT "KEEP AFTER" STUDENTS AND REMIND THEM TO SUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENTS MISSED.
FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ABSENT LONG TERM OR SUSPENDED: THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE SENT TO THE OFFICE AND PLACED IN THE AREA WHERE THE FAX MACHINE IS LOCATED.
How do you contact me? You may either call the high school office at 314.256.8660 or you may e-mail me. My e-mail address is:PMcDowell@bayless.k-12.mo.us. (Actually, it is probably easier and faster to e-mail me.)
I am available after school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for tutoring or assistance. I ENCOURAGE the students who need extra help to contact me as soon as possible. PLEASE do not wait until the last minute. I do not want anyone to be frustrated or confused--it is not a nice feeling.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: SPANISH I: ASSIGNMENTS WEEK OF MARCH 30: 40 AR VERB SENTENCES, AR VERB MOBILE, 10 AR VERB SENTENCES
SPANISH II; WEEK OF MARCH 30: PRESENT PROGRESSIVE PACKET, PR. PROGRESSIVE SENTENCES. TEST: APRIL 7, 2009
UNIT 3 ETAPA 3 (WEATHER, PRESENT PROGRESSIVE, DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS)
ASSIGNMENTS: DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES PACKET, INTERVIEW WITH SPANISH SPEAKER (PROJECT).
ADVISORY STUDENTS
Students in my advisory are EXPECTED to be on time, to watch the BTV announcements and to be working (NOT SLEEPING OR TALKING) during advisory. Each student has received a planner which he or she is to bring to class EVERY DAY. If the student loses the planner, then he or she will purchase another one (He or she will be not have a second one given to him or her for free).
Students earn points daily for Advisory and ALL students must receive at least 80 percent in order to receive credit. Three points may be earned daily and the point distribution is as follows:
1 point -- being on time AND having their planner (BOTH MUST TAKE PLACE)
1 point -- doing homework, reading or making good use of his or her time-- must bring DEAR book if all homework is completed
1 point -- watching and paying attention to the BTV announcements. (NOT talking or working--announcements take place at the end of Advisory.
NOTE: Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday are travel days whereby students may travel to other teachers for help. The student must be ON TIME and have a note, in his or her planner, in order to travel. I DO NOT LISTEN TO THE EXCUSE " The teacher said that I could come to his or her classroom" and the student will not be allowed to travel.
Tuesdays will be devoted to various activities geared to the specific grade level. Students are to participate or they will not receive any credit (loss of 1 point).
UPCOMING EVENTS: STUDENT LEAD CONFERENCE DURING THE WEEK OF MARCH 16-29, 2009. PARENTS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER REGARDING CONFERENCES AND ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
