My name is Ms. Treat and I wish to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your child’s Spanish teacher. Curriculum in Spanish classes at Bitney College Preparatory High School is aligned with the State’s Standards for the Teaching Profession as well as the Foreign Language Learning Continuum. The classes are academically rigorous and meet college and university admission requirements.
Spanish 3/4 is comprised of speaking, listening, and writing activities that incorporate grammar and vocabulary. The curriculum focuses on learning complex tenses such as the present subjunctive and perfect tenses as well as advanced vocabulary. Students will further their knowledge of Spanish through reading short stories as well as poetry. They will also watch Spanish videos for content and understanding, write essays and poetry, and do cultural activities and projects. We will be using the textbook titled Imagina.
Homework will be assigned on a nightly basis and should be thoroughly completed using resources such as the Imagina textbook, the Student Activities Manual, class notes, and handouts. Homework will be due at the beginning of class and should be completed prior to arriving to class in order to prevent the loss of homework credit points. Late homework assignments will be accepted for half credit.
Class oral participation is required in all world language classes. Students will need to use their Spanish – speaking abilities to answer questions in class, to engage in basic conversations with peers, and to volunteer to read aloud during class activities. Points are earned by students when they participate in any of the aforementioned activities. These points, however, may be lost if the student arrives late to class, fails to complete homework on time, is off – task (speaking out of turn, out of seat, sleeping, using electronics etc.), and/or does not bring materials to class. After being absent from class, please have the student make arrangements with me so that participation points can be made – up from when s/he was not in class to have earned the points and to receive any make – up homework assignments. Students should expect to make up tests or quizzes on the day that they return to school.
Grading
The grading system will be based on the following weighted categories on a traditional A-F scale:
 |
Assignment Categories |
|
|
|
Letter Grades |
| Participation |
15% |
A: 90% and above
B: 80% and above
C: 70% and above
D: 60% and above
F: below 60% |
| Class Work and Projects |
10% |
| Homework |
15% |
| Quizzes |
15% |
| Exams |
20% |
| Study Period |
5% |
| Final Exam |
10% |
| Culture Project |
10% |
There will be a number of projects. One major project is the Cultural, Participation, and Research Project. This project is referred to as C.P.R. Students will receive more information in the upcoming days.
Discipline policies and procedures, as outlined in the Student Handbook, will be enforced at all times in the classroom. Students are expected to arrive to class on time and to be on their best behavior in order to avoid any of the discipline consequences which vary from a verbal warning to an administrative referral depending on the infraction.
Students need to have the following materials in class:
- Imagina textbook
- Student Activities Manual
- 3 – Ring binder with lined paper, class notes, and handouts (please have a tab marked for Spanish)
- Pen or Pencil
- Color Pencils or Color Crayons
- Dry Erase Marker
- 3 X 5 Index Cards for Flashcards
- Glue Stick
I hope this to be a positive learning experience for your son or daughter. Please do not hesitate to call me at (530) 477-1235 for any questions or concerns. The most efficient means of communication for me, however, is via e-mail. You can contact me at atreat@bitneyprep.net. Please fill in the information below and return it to me within the next two days. Thank you once again for your time and efforts.
Sincerely,
Ashley Treat |
