¡Bienvenidos!

The purpose of this course is to build upon and improve your existing abilities with the Spanish language. My goals for you this year are that you gain a solid understanding of Spanish grammar, that you possess and are able to use an expansive vocabulary, that you can understand Spanish spoken by native speakers, that you are able to read and understand short pieces of Spanish literature, that you can respond in Spanish when addressed in Spanish, and that you can express ideas well in spoken and written form.

Expectations
I expect you to come to class each day prepared to actively participate. In order to thoroughly grasp a language, it must be used on a daily basis. Classroom discussion and question and answer will be a large part of the instruction. It is therefore extremely important that you are willing to participate in class. No one should worry about making mistakes. I strongly encourage you to take notes. Even if you think you know something, it is a good idea to record it. It never hurts to write too much.

Rules and Regulations
1) The bathroom must be used before you come to class.
2) Sit in your assigned seat every day. Please be seated when the bell rings.
3) Do not leave your seat until the bell dismisses you.
4) Do not get up and walk around while the teacher is talking. This includes throwing something away, sharpening your pencil, etc.
5) Do not speak while the teacher is speaking. Do not speak while your classmates are speaking.
6) Bring all of your materials to class every day.
7) Do not eat or drink in class.
8) Do not text message in class.
In other words, please be respectful and responsible. Disrespectful behavior will be met with a detention or a demerit depending on the offense. Cheating will result in a demerit and a zero for the assignment.

Absences and Late Work
If you are present when the date of a quiz or test is announced, you will have to take the quiz or test the day you return to school. If you were absent when the assignment was announced, you will have two days to make up the assignment. Exceptions may be given for long-term absences. Assignments should be made up before or after school. You will not be permitted to make up assignments during class time.

Grading
Grading is based on a point system. Every assignment will be worth a specific number of points. Your grade is how many points you earn divided by the number of points possible. The value of each assignment will vary based on its length and difficulty. Quizzes will be given on a regular basis to test your knowledge of the concepts discussed in class. The purpose of homework is to reinforce what you learned in class and to prepare you for the tests and quizzes. Homework will be assigned regularly and will be checked and/or collected at random. Anything that is discussed in class is fair game for a quiz or test. This should encourage you to pay attention to anything and everything we discuss. It should also encourage you to ask questions when something is not understood. There will be no exemptions from the final exam.

Materials
-Textbook: ¡En Español! 2 McDougal Littell
-Workbook: ¡En Español! Más Práctica
-Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary (I recommend Larousse Concise Dictionary)
-Notebook or Binder
-Folder for handouts and returned work

I am greatly looking forward to getting to know you throughout the year. I am always available for extra help and I strongly encourage you to seek it when needed. I am willing to meet with you before or after school. Please advise me ahead of time if you will be coming in so we both know where to be.