1. World Language—Spanish 1
2014-2015
Ms. Jennifer Orbik
Planning 1st period
School Phone: 416-4540 ex. 85414
Google Voice: 213-6429
ms.orbik@gmail.com
orbikj@scsk12.org
lacasaespanola.blogspot.com
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
My name is Jennifer Orbik and I will be your student’s Spanish teacher this year. I am looking forward to working
with you in the education of your child. Learning a foreign language is challenging, so I urge you to encourage your child
to be prepared for class, to participate in class, and to let me know if they have any concerns. In order to make learning a
foreign language easier, a student should practice pronunciation and study vocabulary outside of class, in small units,
every night. I suggest studying on quizlet every night for at least 20 minutes. (Don’t wait until the night before a quiz to
learn 20 new words!) Students should study regularly and be sure to complete homework assignments.
I believe that it is essential for parents and teachers to work together to ensure the best education possible for each
student. Please check our online grade book on PowerTeacher/ParentConnect regularly to monitor your child’s grades. I
will also send home progress reports during each grading period to keep you informed if your child is having any
problems. I look forward to meeting you at Open House and Parent-Teacher Conference Night. After you read the
information in the syllabus below, please contact me if you have a comment, question, or suggestion.
I am looking forward to an exciting and successful year as we work together!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Orbik
Spanish I Syllabus
Course Description:
The world language program in SCS focuses on using languages in real-world situations. Students learn language
that prepares them to communicate with others through oral language, print, and media. Although students will need to
know vocabulary, grammar, and cultural information, they learn them in order to use them purposefully for
communication with others. This emphasis on communication aligns the SCS curriculum with state and national
standards.
At each level of world language instruction, students expand the topics on which they are able to communicate,
the ways in which they are able to express themselves and understand others, and the sophistication with which they can
express ideas. Student understanding of other cultures, ability to behave in culturally acceptable ways, and to recognize
the relationships between language and culture grow with each unit, year, and level of world language study.
Each level of the SCS language curriculum is guided by clear statements of what students will know and be able
to do. Realistic expectations for how well students will be able to use their language and cultural skills are also clearly
stated. These objectives determine what teachers teach, what practice activities are provided to students, and how student
progress is evaluated. Ultimately, because the goal of learning language is to be able to use it, SCS teachers are expected
to test and evaluate their students on what students can do with what they have learned.
SCS world language course descriptions include: 1) a series of ‘can do’ statements that indicate what students are
expected to demonstrate their ability to do by the end of each academic year of instruction, and 2) a description of how
well students can use the language they have learned at the end of the year.
Course Overview:
The world language program in SCS focuses on using languages in real-world situations. Students learn language
that prepares them to communicate with others through oral language, print, and media. Although students will need to
know vocabulary, grammar, and cultural information, they learn them in order to use them purposefully for
communication with others. This emphasis on communication aligns the SCS curriculum with state and national
standards.
2. At each of level of world language instruction, students expand the topics on which they are able to communicate,
the ways in which they are able to express themselves and understand others, and the sophistication with which they can
express ideas. Student understanding of other cultures, ability to behave in culturally acceptable ways and to recognize
the relationships between language and culture grow with each unit, year, and level of world language study.
Each level of the SCS language curriculum is guided by clear statements of what students will know and be able
to do. Realistic expectations for how well students will be able to use their language and cultural skills are also clearly
stated. These objectives determine what teachers teach, what practice activities are provided to students, and how student
progress is evaluated. Ultimately, because the goal of learning language is to be able to use it, SCS teachers are expected
to test and evaluate their students on what students can do with what they have learned.
SCS world language course descriptions include: 1) a series of ‘can do’ statements that indicate what students are
expected to demonstrate their ability to do by the end of each academic year of instruction, and 2) a description of how
well students can use the language they have learned at the end of the year.
Materials and Supplies: In addition to bringing your agenda to class daily, students should also have blue or
black ink pen or pencil, notebook paper, a 1” 3-ring binder with dividers, and a Spanish/English dictionary.
Throughout the school year I will be assigning several projects that will require some additional supplies. I cannot
lend out my classroom supplies because I need them throughout the day in the classroom and often lent items are,
unfortunately, not returned. Students need access to rubber bands, markers/colored pencils/crayons, scissors, a
ruler, and glue/glue stick/tape at home. Some assignments may require poster board and construction paper.
Students will also be making flashcards for each chapter using 3x5 index cards. Please take advantage of the back
to school bargains and keep these supplies on hand at home. Keep a collection of old magazines if possible. These
will also come in very handy. I am sure that these preparations will benefit your child in all of his/her classes and
cut down on last minute runs to the store for supplies.
Attendance Policy: Follow SCS attendance Policies (student handbook). Consistent attendance is essential and expected
for success in this class. If your child has a chronic health problem and is often absent, please let me know.
Grading Scale: SCS grading scale (refer to student handbook) Assignments will be weighted in my classroom as follows:
•10% Homework
•20% Class Participation (does not refer to student conduct)
•20% Class-work/Daily work (refers to a formative demonstration of the student’s ability and includes projects, reports,
presentations)
•50% Assessments (refers to a student’s culminating, independent demonstration of mastery of one or more competencies)
20%- Performance and task assessments
20%- Tests
10% - Quizzes
***Shelby County Schools do not average semester grades. If you fail one semester you must make up that
semester. Please be sure to keep up with your grades using Parent Connect. I try to put in grades weekly, unless it is a
lengthy project or test.
Tutoring hours:
Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 (BE ON TIME) or by appointment
Make-up work Policy: Per SCS Policy, all make-up work must be completed within 10 days of returning to school after
an absence. If you have an unexcused absence or if you were suspended you will not be allowed to make up work. The
only instance that will allow you to make up work is if it was worth 15% of you total grade (if it is unexcused). Students
are responsible for coming to tutoring to learn the material that was covered when they missed class and to get make up
work. They must also make up any missed quizzes, test, or performance based assessments after school during tutoring or
by appointment.
Work that students simply do not do when given the opportunity in class is not accepted as make-up work. I also do not
accept late work. I offer some bonus opportunities and optional assignments to help bring up students’ grades if they are
missing assignments.
3. Academic Honesty Statement: Students are expected to complete their own work. Any copying on any assignments
will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero for both the student copying the material and the student who
allowed their work to be copied. If a student has a question about an assignment or needs feedback, he/she should ask the
teacher. Cheating on Quizzes or Tests will also result in a grade of zero. If a student has an emergency and is not
prepared to take a test or quiz and feels compelled to cheat, they should discuss the situation with me. I may consider
allowing the student to make up the test or quiz before or after school. This will be handled on a case-by- case basis.
RULES: SALSA
Stay on task
Work on the assignment given to you.
When you finish, you may work on something else as long as you stay quiet
Actively participate
Be present in class and do what is asked of you
Listen
Listen when the teacher is speaking
Listen when your peers are speaking
Listen when the announcements come on.
Show respect
Respect the teacher
Respect your peers
Respect the school and the property
Attitude
Bring a positive attitude to class.
PROCEDURES
Bellwork (para pensar): upon entering the classroom you will take your seat and immediately start your bellwork.
If you have a homework assignment due that day, turn it in prior to taking your seat.
Restrooms: Because class is only 45 minutes long, the hall pass can only be used for life and death emergencies. If
you have a medical problem and have to go to the restroom you must have a doctor’s note.
Leaving the classroom: As stated before, the hall pass can only be used for life and death emergencies. Personal
business should be taken care of either before or after class.
Uniforms: Part of establishing a positive learning environment is looking your best. If you come to class out of
uniform you will not be able to enter until you fix it. Uniform compliance is non-negotiable.
Final Minutes: The bell dismisses class. It knows what time to ring, so it will not be necessary for you to keep track
of time or to remind me of the time. The final minutes of every class will be your exit slip, to be turned in everyday as
you leave.
Food and Drink: Food and drink are not allowed in my classroom, nor is gum.
Turning in work: There will be a file box located near my desk with files for each class period. Turn in your work as
you come into the classroom, in the correct file folder for your class. I will not ask for it, as you should know when an
assignment is due and just turn it in to the box. YOUR NAME MUST BE ON YOUR PAPER OR YOU WILL
RECEIVE A ZERO.
Late Work: Late work will not be accepted unless I have expressed otherwise.
4. Cheating
Cheating will NOT be tolerated. Therefore:
Cheating, whether it occurs on classwork or a test will result in an automatic zero for both the person who did the cheating
and the person who aided in the cheating. Additionally, parents of all students involved will be phoned and the incident
documented.
Consequences
If a student fails to follow the rules and procedures the following consequences will occur:
1. Consultation between teacher and student
2. Phone call/Email to parent/guardian by the teacher
3. Conference involving the parent/guardian, teacher, and student
4. Referral to the Office
5. Please Complete and return the following sheet to indicate that
you have read and understand the syllabus and classroom
procedures. (THIS IS WORTH)
Spanish I—Srta. Orbik—2014-2015
Student’s Name(print): ________________________________________
Class Period:___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name(print): __________________________
relationship_____________________________
Home Phone: ____________________ Work Phone: __________________
Cell Phone:________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________
Best time to call: __________________________________________________
Check whether your child will have internet access at home ____yes ____no
(There are a lot of resources for my class online)
**********************************************************
I have read and understand all policies and procedures outlined in the syllabus.
Parent/ Guardian Signature: ______________________________Date:___________
Student Signature:__________________Class Period:_________
Date: ___________
Comments or Questions:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
