• E-mail:  marialuisa.francotorres@yourcharlotteschools.net                 Phone:  575-5450

    Text:    Avancemos 1                                                        Room: A308

    Course Description

    Spanish 1 is an introductory level class.  Prior knowledge of Spanish is not necessary.  The class will focus on grammar basics, the development of vocabulary and practical application of the language.   The emphasis on Spanish I is communicating primarily in the present tense with some projection of future tense.  Communicating in the target language will be reinforced daily, and as skills and vocabulary develop, writing and reading will be focused on as well.  Cultural similarities and differences will be discussed to develop and promote a cross-cultural understanding and respect.

    Course Objectives

     The goal for Spanish 1 students is to develop confidence in expressing themselves in the target language on selected topics like self, school, family, etc. and also to develop a good comprehension of what they hear.

    Course Outline

    • The topics emphasized will include greetings, likes and dislikes, the calendar, weather, numbers, verb meanings, time, physical description, classroom objectives, school schedule, places, transportation, and family.
    • The Grammar Golden Rule -"everything for the most part must agree in gender and number" will be reinforced the entire school year as well as subject/verb agreement.
    • An awareness of Spanish-speaking countries will be developed continually during the year.

    Attendance

    Attendance in class is necessary for students to excel.  The more actively a student is involved in class, the more practice they will have to comprehend the material and the more opportunity they will have to apply what they have learned. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to obtain and complete make-up work in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.  (Refer to attendance and unexcused absences in the Code of Student Conduct for grading policy about make-up work and unexcused absences). 

    Tardies

    Students will be marked tardy and excused if they enter the classroom late with a valid pass.  However, if students enter class after the bell without a pass, they will be marked "late unexcused". Students are not allowed to come to class, drop off their backpack, go to the bathroom and return to class minutes after the bell rings without permission from the teacher first.  If a student comes to class 15 minutes late without a pass, they should expect to be written up for skipping class. (Refer to the Code of Conduct for consequences of unexcused tardies).

    Behavior

    Students are expected to be attentive and respectful to themselves, others and teachers during class.  School policies regarding behavior and discipline will be implemented.  The following is a list of A308 classroom rules:

    1. Students are to enter class appropriately and be seated when the bell rings.
    2. Students must have their supplies daily. The notebook is important to have every day.  Notes may not be taken daily, however, they are referred to on a daily basis.
    3. The use of cell phones is not permitted in class.  There is a NO tolerance policy for cell phones from bell to bell during instructional time.  I will adhere to and follow the school procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct for the use of cell phones in class by a student.
    4. No food or drinks (except water bottles) are allowed in class.

    Grades

     

    Passes

    There will be no passes in the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of class; students will not be able to drop their belongings off in the room and ask to go to the bathroom before the bell rings.  If they choose to do this and do not make it back inside the classroom before the bell rings, they will be marked tardy.

    Any other passes to the media center, another classroom, office, etc. will be at the teacher's discretion. 

    CELL PHONE POLICY - ALL CELL PHONES WILL NEED TO BE LEFT IN STUDENTS' BACKPACKS, AND BACKPACKS WILL BE PLACED ON THE FLOOR, AGAINST THE WALL, AT THE START OF EACH CLASS.  IF CELL PHONES DO NOT MAKE IT INTO THE BACKPACKS AND STUDENT IS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A PHONE DURING CLASS, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED:

    • I WILL ASK FOR THE STUDENT TO TURN HIS OR HER PHONE TO ME AT THE TIME OF THE INFRACTION. 
    • I WILL FILL OUT THE PROPER FORM AND GIVE A COPY OF THE FORM TO THE STUDENT.
    • I WILL TURN THE PHONE INTO THE DEAN'S OFFICE AND THE STUDENT WILL PICK IT UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.
    • IF THE STUDENT REFUSES TO HAND OVER THEIR PHONE, I WILL WRITE THEM UP ON A REFERRAL FOR INSUBORDINATION.