Course Syllabus: 2nd Grade Chinese Literacy/Math/Science

Teacher: Jie Qiu

Email: jqiu@houstonisd.org

Introduction: Hello and welcome! My name is Jie Qiu. It is my pleasure to serve at MCLIMS
as the second grade Mandarin Chinese teacher. This is my fourth year teaching in MIMS and I
enjoyed every second of it! It’s my honor to be your child’s second grade teacher at MIMS. I
have a master degree in Elementary Education from University of Houston-Main campus. I'm
certified as Generalist EC-6 as well as Bilingual Chinese. I love to teach Mandarin, Math and
Science. I enjoy time with kids. As a native Mandarin Chinese speaker, I'm excited to expose the
students to lots of authentic Chinese cultural adventures.

Course Description:
I teach Mandarin Chinese, Math and Science daily in my classroom.
For Math, students will be required to master TEKS through daily Math, problems of the day
Math workstations, Math journals and more.
For Mandarin, we generally teach one lesson from Better Chinese in two weeks. Throughout the
lesson, we’ll do daily picture talk, learn new vocabulary, practice making sentences, write
paragraphs and more.
For Science, students will learn concepts and vocabulary from experiments, projects and science
journal.
Please follow us on Living Tree, weekly learning objectives, activities etc. Additional
information can be found at HISD Parent Resource Page
(http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/71104).

Text:
Mandarin Chinese – Better Chinese / Chinese Read Aloud books
Math – Go Math
Science – Science Fusion

Supplies/Materials Needed:
Please view second grade supply list on
http://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/1874/Supply%20list%202
017%20-%202018.pdf

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

mimshisd.org
Performance Standards:
Instruction will be presented through multiple instructional strategies which include direct
instruction, whole class and group dialogue (both verbal and written), and differentiated lessons
created to support students at all levels. Student engagement and participation are key!

Mandarin Chinese – Pass Mandarin Chinese HFW assessment with 70% which occur three times
a year. Beginning, middle and end of year.
If the student does not pass either the 1st or the 2nd Chinese HFW test, they will be placed on a
growth plan and interventions will be implemented. If a student on a growth plan does not pass
the 3rd Chinese HFW test, the student will be exited from the magnet program.
If a student who passed the first and second Chinese HFW tests, but did not pass the 3rd HFW
test, the student is required to go to summer school.
There are NO RETAKES for either 1st 2nd or 3rd Chinese HFW exams.

Math – End of year snapshot (district assessment to measure student growth)

Science- Master all concepts for 2nd Grade

For more additional information please visit HISD parent portal for curriculum document for
second grade.

Successful students will:

 Demonstrate understanding of major concepts through discussion, projects and written

work
 Use cognitive skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration daily
 Pass the High Frequency Word Exam and weekly tests
 Show predicted growth by year’s end on Chinese, Math and Science

Academic Grading System: Student grades are based on their independent mastery of learning
objectives. That means students are only graded on work that reflects their ability to
independently demonstrate the knowledge and skills taught. Students do not receive grades for
homework or for more work completion. As school-wide policy, extra credit is also not given.
If students receive a failing grade, they have the opportunity to re-do/re-take the
assignment or assessment upon the written request of the parent within 24 hours of graded
assignment being sent home These make-up opportunities will be offered in the same week on
Friday and can result in a grade no higher than 70. Most graded work will be returned to parents
in the Tuesday folder. Please write the retest request on the tests sent home. Retakes are only
provided on failed tests (below 70).

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

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 Grading Guidelines

A 90 – 100% Excellent
B 80 – 89% Good
C 75 – 79% Satisfactory
D 70 – 74% Passing
F 0 – 69% Failing

Grading Weights

Category % of final grade

Test/Quiz 50%
In-class assignment/Project 50%

Frequency: Normally we’ll have one grade for each subject each week.

Instructional Activities: For Mandarin Chinese, we will cover approximately five to six
chapters in Better Chinese Volume 2 per semester. For science and math, we will cover
approximately five to six units per semester. The teacher will monitor progress in this course by
discussion of the homework and evaluation of individual skill tests and unit exams; while
students will work collaboratively, incorporate the latest technology, explain thinking in written
form, and apply skills to real world problems in the form of projects when possible.

Weekly Tests and Quiz: Tests or quizzes will be given every week typically on Fridays.
Make-up exams will be given only if the absence is excused and will be taken the day the student
returns.

Homework:
There will be daily math homework from Monday through Thursday. Math homework is
normally a sheet of Go-Math (Sometimes from other resources) to practice the learned concept
on the day of. We will check some questions of the Math homework every day as a whole group.

Mandarin Chinese homework is vocabulary writing and composing sentences. We also include
stroke orders, texts from Better Chinese, Pinyin etc. in the packet. Students will finish part of the
work from the packet in the classroom daily.

These homework assignments will not be graded, however, as our magnet policy, students are
required to complete 90% or more of required homework and will be put on a Magnet Growth
Plan if they do not meet this standard.

Late Work Policy:

If a student is absent, incomplete assignments must be submitted within a reasonable timeline.
For example, if a student is absent for 2 days, the missing assignments should be turned in within
2 days of returning to school. In any case, a student should not take more than 5 school days to
make up work. Special circumstances will be addressed individually.

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

mimshisd.org
Class Rules and Consequences: The school's policy regarding academic honesty, tardiness,
truancy, behavior, use of electronic devices, eligibility for athletics and co-curricular activities,
and dress code, as defined in the Student Handbook, will be followed. Electronic devices such
as cell phones, listening devices, and gaming devices are not allowed during class time.
Rules
1. Follow teacher directions.
2. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.
3. Get permission before you leave your desk.
4. Be polite at all times.
5. No talking in the hall.
6. No talking back, profanity, rough play or fighting.
7. No toys, candy or gum should be brought to school.
8. Respect the property of others.

Rewards for good choices include praise, MIMS dollars, stickers, pencils, erasers, extended
recess or a special privilege.

Consequences for poor choices will be determined by the frequency and severity of the
infraction(s). They are typically sequential and may include:
*verbal warnings coupled with a reinforcement of expectations
*conduct cut and use of unstructured time to discuss infraction
*note or phone call to parents
*office intervention

All infractions are documented in a Conduct Log and will be outlined on the Conduct insert in
the Home Communication Folder.

Conduct Grades: Conduct grades are separate from academic grades and reflect overall student
behavior. The default conduct grade is Satisfactory. The other grades are Excellent, Poor, and
Unsatisfactory. Student behavior for each conduct grade is described below.

Conduct Grade Daily Color Average Student Behavior…

Excellent Purple (4) 3.5-4 Goes above and beyond to demonstrate MIMS
values. Student independently follows
classroom routines and expectations without
teacher redirection.

Satisfactory Green (3) 2.5-3.4 Meets classroom expectations and generally is

not a concern. Student needs some reminders
regarding expectations but responds to
redirections within a reasonable timeframe.

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

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 Poor Yellow (2) 1.5-2.4 Often fails to meet classroom expectations and
results in disruptions of learning environment
directly or indirectly. Student needs frequent
reminders and sometimes does not respond to
redirection.
Unsatisfactory* Red (1) 1-1.4 Consistently fails to meet classroom
expectations and results in disruptions of
learning environment directly or indirectly.
Student consistently fails to respond to
redirection.
*Any suspension will lead to an unsatisfactory conduct grade for the referring classroom.
(SDMC 1/13/14)

Conduct grades will appear on every progress report and report card.

The following four criteria will be used to determine the citizenship grade for participation in
learning, following classroom rules, displaying on-task behavior, and being respectful to
others. These characteristics are defined in the following manner:

Participation:
 Student is engaged in class discussions and questioning
 Student actively seeks to further his/her personal learning through questioning and self-
reflection
 Student completes all assignments to the best of his/her ability

Follow classroom rules:

 Student arrives to class promptly and prepared with the required materials
 Student follows directions and works collaboratively
 Student is respectful to self and others at all times
 Student completes all assignments and assessments honestly
 Student does not eat or drink in the classroom at anytime (with the above-noted
exceptions)
 Student avoids the use of cellular phones, ipods, and all other prohibited electronic
devices
Display on-task behaviors:
 Student consistently works in learning centers, in home groups or when working
independently
 Student actively completes the assigned task and remains focused
 Student is engaged in the work from this class (not work from another class)
 Students are awake in class at all times (students who fall asleep in class may be sent to
the nurse)
Respectful to others:
 Student treats others with kindness
 Student allows teacher and classmates to speak without interruption
 Student allows classmates to focus on work without distractions
 Student handles class resources with care

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

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 Student refrains from making discouraging or hurtful comments toward others

Online Grade Access: Parents and students are expected to monitor course grades and
attendance information via the Internet regularly at: http://www.houstonisd.org/domain/11001

Contact me:

 Email: jqiu@houstonisd.org

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I look forward to working with you and your student to make this a great school year. If you
have any concerns regarding your student’s progress, please contact me. Please review and
discuss this syllabus with your child.

Sincerely,

Jie Qiu

5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

mimshisd.org
 Signature Page – Sign and Return

Homeroom: __________________

Student:

I have read the syllabus and I will do my best to succeed in this class.

Name (print neatly)___________________________________________________________________

Parent:

I have read the syllabus and will support my son/daughter to succeed in this class.

Parent/Guardian Name (print neatly)______________________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________________

Comments are welcome:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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5445 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.295.5276 |

mimshisd.org