Jeanne Wilkinson

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Bienvenidos Padres y Estudiantes

Spanish I

I'm Jeanne Wilkinson and this is my seventh year teaching Spanish at Sacred-Heart Griffin. My husband, Tom, and I relocated to Springfield from the Chicago area after raising our family. We have really enjoyed the change of lifestyle that living in a smaller city affords. I'm looking forward to another wonderful year here at SHG.

Level I Spanish emphasizes basic conversational vocabulary, basic grammatical structures, simple sentence structure, and simple questions and responses. The present verb tense will be covered. Spanish culture and geography will be introduced.

The text we'll be using is ¡En español!, published by McDougal Littell.Students should also have a workbook by the same title. These two books, as well as a spiral notebook, folder, red and black pens and a positive attitude should be brought to class each day. For the first semster, our goal is to learn the material in the introductory chapter and the first two units of the textbook. To really be successful at learning a foreign language, students should work to incorporate the target language into their daily lives. You can help by encouraging your student to share what they've learned in class with family members. Teaching simple phrases to a parent or sibling reinforces our lessons and gives the student the confidence to speak more Spanish in class.

We will have frequent quizzes in Spanish class, as well as quarterly projects and the occasional chapter test. Quarter and semester grades will be based on the grades earned on these assessments,as well as homework and progress in the spoken language.

If you ever have a question or need to communicate a concern, I hope that you will call or e-mail me at any time. My school e-mail address is: wilkinson@shg.org. As I can access my e-mail account from home as well as school, this is really the best way to reach me. Sometimes phone calls can lead to "phone tag" as our access to phones during the day is limited.

Below is a copy of my policy sheet handed out to students at the beginning of the year.

¡Bienvenidos Estudiantes!

Sacred Heart- Griffin High School
Señora Wilkinson
Español I
wilkinson@shg.org

Required Materials:

Text: ¡En español!
Workbook: más práctica,
Pocket folders,
Spiral notebook and/or loose-leaf paper
2 pens- 1 black, 1 red

Goals:

  • To communicate daily in Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing
  • To develop an appreciation of the Hispanic culture and language
  • To use Spanish in artistic expression

Grading:

I use three categories when entering grades each quarter. All tests and quizzes, as well as other assessments, are weighted at 70%. Homework is 15% of the quarter grade and class participation makes up the final 15%.The SHG grading scale will be used to determine the letter grade.

To calculate the semester grade, each quarter is valued at three-eighths, with the final exam counting as one-fourth of the final semester grade. Semester exams are comprehensive and students will receive a detailed study guide prior to exam week.

Behavior:

  • You are expected to follow the rules set forth in the student handbook for behavior and uniforms.
  • Gum is permitted as long as I can not see it or hear it. It is never allowed when giving a presentation.
  • Always be respectful. This means raising your hand to ask questions and remaining in your seat unless specific permission has been given.
  • Be prepared with all materials every day.

Extra Help:

I’m available before and after school to take questions and help with assignments. When possible, please let me know you are coming. That way I won’t miss you if I’m working elsewhere in the building.

Homework Policy:

  • You will receive credit for each COMPLETED assignment OR it may be collected and graded at random. WORKBOOKS MUST REMAIN INTACT, WITH NAME IN BLACK ON FRONT COVER.
  • Translators are not to be used at any time. Dictionaries should be used only when specified by me for specific assignments.
  • All work must be labeled with first and last name, date, hour, and assignment.

    No name=No credit.
  • Late work must be completed and turned in. Credit will vary, depending on assignment.
  • Keep ALL papers, notes, assignments, etc. in your folders. I will keep all tests. If there is a discrepancy with your grade, you must be able to produce graded work to support your grade.
  • Memorization is an important part of learning a second language.

    Be prepared to MEMORIZE.

  • All written work must be original. You are not to use verb tenses or vocabulary that I have not taught, UNLESS I have specifically assigned the use of a dictionary. If you do, you will receive a ZERO for that assignment.

Absences:

  • When you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to get the assignment(s), ask for clarification and complete it. You will be allowed the number of days you were out to complete the work. Remember to check Renweb for assignments.
  • If you need help with make-up work, please ask so we can set up a time to go over material.
  • For pre-arranged absences, such as family vacations or athletic events, students should see me prior to leaving or check Renweb for assignments while they are absent.

Test and Quizzes:

  • All announced tests will be taken on the required day if you were present the day the test was announced.
  • Talking during a quiz or test will result in a zero and cannot be made up.