Assessment/evaluation/grading policy:Assessment/evaluation/grading policy:Evaluation of course work: Points are totaled and grades are computed as follows:90% to 100% = A 80% to 89% = B 70% to 79% = C60% to 69% = D 0% to 59% F

The student’s final grade is based upon the following percentage breakdown:
45% Active Participation
45% Assessment
10% Semester Final Exam

**A note about how the “active participation” grade will be determined:Practice and a willingness to take risks in using the target language is the key to success in foreign language courses. As a result, active participation makes up a considerable portion of your grade.The following aspects of student performance and participation in class will be observed/attributed points on a daily basis:
1.) How often student communicates in Spanish. Points will be deducted if a student has learned how to say “May I open the window” in Spanish, yet asks the teacher the same question in English instead...it is okay to attempt to say something in Spanish and then ask the teacher for help if the student forgets a word or a phrase that relates to what he/she is trying to say. Trying counts.
2.) How often he/she contributes to class discussions and oral warm up questions/activities3.) How well he/she uses Spanish—I don’t expect perfection—and errors are completely understandable during this beginning stage of language learning. However, I do expect risk-taking for the sake of improving language skills—this means trying out that new vocabulary word or phrase whenever you get the opportunity. It also means attempting to speak in complete sentences instead of fragments or yes/no answers.
4.) Student cooperation and leadership in pair and group work—points will be deducted if students are having side-conversations in English instead of practicing Spanish during group work.
5.) Student’s effective use of instructional time. Points will be taken away if a student arrives late and as a consequence doesn’t fully participate in the oral and/or written warm up activities. Other examples of not using instructional time effectively that can lead to a deduction of points: student has side conversations in English, he/she behaves in a disrespectful or inappropriate way that disrupts class discussions, he/she distracts peers during pair or group activities, he/she does not engage in the task at hand.
6.) Student organization: Work is brought in and prepared according to class procedures so that valuable instructional time is not disrupted to “find that paper”. Students must also come to class prepared with required materials so as to not waste time borrowing materials in class.
7.) How proactive the student is in letting the instructor know that he/she needs help—If student asks for clarification when needed, if student comes to flex time when help is required, if student is proactive in finding out about the assignments missed during an absence etc.
**I will keep a daily tally of points for each student in relation to active participation and I will assign an active participation grade for each student every two weeks.Behavioral expectations:
1.) Participate in all activities in an appropriate manner.
This includes using the appropriate voice, tone, and level, active listening and doing your share of the task at hand.
2.) Follow all prescribed procedures.
3.) Come to class on time with all required materials—and be prepared to participate
4.) All cel phones and ipods must be turned off and put away during class. Students will receive one warning if a phone accidentally rings or if headphones are still on in the beginning of class etc—if it happens again the phone or ipod will be confiscated and only released to the parent after a teacher/parent/student meeting.
5.) Absolutely no food or drink in the classroom. Just water will be permitted.
6.) Remain in seat until the teacher dismisses you.Policies:Discipline:If problems arise the following consequences will result:I will remind you that your behavior is inappropriate. If you stop doing whatever it was that prompted my attention, then there will be no further action taken.If your behavior continues and you are a repeat offender, then you will change seating or have a student-teacher conference immediately or after school.If I have to exclude you from my class, I will call or email home and write a referral for an appropriate help to vice principal, counselor, health center, or other specialist.Outrageous behavior may cause for the student to immediately skip any of the above-mentioned steps and exclusion from class will take place until the problem has been appropriately resolved.

Tardy: It is unacceptable to be late for class. Students need to enter their name and reason in the TARDY BOOK. Tardies will be dealt with in the following manner: 1st tardy – write name on tardy book 2nd write name + warning . 3rd write name + teacher will write a referral. By default students will lose active participation points too because they will not have arrived on time for warm up activities.Safety issues and requirements:· Remain in seat until the bell rings. I will dismiss the class.· Respect the safety and property of others—if anyone’s safety is compromised due to your actions you will be penalized to the full extent of the school discipline policy and the law if necessary.· Keep all aisles clear for teacher and other students to be able to walk up and down the rows without fear of tripping over something.· Report all suspicious activities for the well-being of our school community