1

Exploratory Spanish (5th/6th grade)

GOALS, GRADING, AND CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Course Learning Goals:

To develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish through the use of
learned vocabulary and grammatical concepts
To develop an understanding and appreciation of the Spanish/Latin American culture

About this course:

An introduction to skills and vocabulary which may be expanded upon in the 7/th 8th grade
elective subject Exploratory Spanish I
Meets 2 out of 5 days

Classroom Procedures:
Ugly comments about the Spanish language, Spanish-speaking countries, customs, or people will not be
tolerated in this class.
As a linguist, I am a proponent of dialects and vernaculars. During classwork and homework, please use
the conventions of Standard English this will make it easier to learn grammar together as a class.
Bring to Class Every Day:
1. Index cards, glue stick, and something to hold flash cards together (metal ring or bag).
2. 3-ring 1 binder (to hold daily handouts, classwork, notes, worksheets, homework, and quizzes).
Please note: Duplicates (paper copies) will not be provided. Save paper! All handouts can be
downloaded from the class website or email.
3. loose-leaf notebook paper (to use in binder)
4. blue or black pen, or a #2 pencil
5. space in planner to write down Spanish assignments.
Also, having your own Spanish/English dictionary is strongly recommended. If possible, be willing to
share your dictionary in class with a friend who might not have access to one. Spanish/English
dictionaries might not be available in class (TBD). Online translators may be used to look up vocabulary
words, but remember that they are not very reliable. You should be using a regular dictionary. YOU MAY
NOT USE ONLINE TRANSLATORS FOR WRITING OR WORKBOOK EXERCISES. THE DIRECT
TRANSLATIONS ARE USUALLY WRONG (AND SOMETIMES OFFENSIVE), AND IT WILL BE OBVIOUS TO
ME THAT YOU HAVE USED ONE. Index Cards for making Vocabulary flashcards are handy and effective
and can add points to your lesson test grade.
Behavior Expectations:
1. RESPECT teacher, classmates, and the property of others.
2. Follow Central Park School for Children Middle School Behavior Policy.*
3. No talking or getting out of your seat without permission. Raise your hand to get my attention
and WAIT to be called on.
4. You may not eat/drink during oral exercises. You may eat/drink while doing silent independent
work, as long as it does not become a distraction (i.e. talking, sharing with others.). I may
change this policy if it becomes a problem.
5. No whining, complaining, etc...!
Exploratory Spanish Spring 2017 with Melika

28-Jan-17

2
6. Arrive to class on time, sit in your assigned seat and be ready to start learning
7. At the start of each class, assigned homework should be visible on the desk and ready to be
checked
8. Upon arriving in class, check the board for Quick Starts (Para Empezar) and begin working on the
activity. If there is none, review what was covered on the previous day. THIS IS NOT A TIME TO
TALK!
9. ALL students will participate in daily activities.
10. Study EVERY day. Quizzes and tests cannot be retaken for a higher grade.
11. Do not pack up early. Wait for the teacher to dismiss you at the end of the period.

Under Revison:

Homework Policy
Make-Up Work
Quizzes
Tests
Class Participation
Projects
Grading: due to various proficiencies and differentiation, class will be graded on a curve. All
students will receive a C or better unless they are grossly underperforming or refuse to
participate.
Website

*All norms and policies set forth by CPSFC Middle School supercede the policies and/or procedures
defined in this document. The outlined policies and procedures are subject to change as needed, in
order to align with CPSFC Middle School guidelines. Parent feedback is encouraged: @cpsfc.org

Exploratory Spanish Spring 2017 with Melika

28-Jan-17