Date: October 7, 2007

To: The students (and their parents/guardians) of Spanish I with Ms. Dahl

From: Barbara Dahl

Re: Expectations and procedures

I thank all of you for your tolerance and patience with me as I learn the ropes at Aptos High School. I still have a few kinks to work out, but most all of you have been extremely cooperative and helpful. I am impressed!

What follow are a few important items about class procedures and expectations that I have explained to you orally:

1. Punctuality: Be on time. When the final bell rings, I expect you to be in your seat actively working on the transition, with the homework due that day out on your desk for me to check. When you are done with the transition, read the daily agenda on the board and copy down the assignment for the next day.

2. Attendance: Be in class. Learning a language is acquiring a skill. In order to learn a skill you need lots of daily practice; if you are not in class, you will miss out on the practice and instruction, as well as the fun of speaking Spanish.

3. Absences: On the day you return to school from an illness do the following:

A) Hand in the homework that was due the day of your absence with the word”absent” and the date of your absence circled at the top of the page.

B) After the transition for the day is completed, get the transition(s) for the day(s) you missed and do it (them).

C) Get the assignment due the day of your return, and complete it and hand it in on the next class day.

D) If you missed a test, see me before or after class and make arrangements to make-up the test.

E) In general, class participation may not be made up. If you are out only one or two days, your participation grade should not be affected. If you are out more days, see me if you want an opportunity to make up participation - probably during tutorial period on the second block day.

4. Participation: Class participation is essential. If you actively participate you are engaged and will learn. I record your participation on the seating chart and make a distribution of the points every 20 lessons or so in order to determine your participation grade. Sometimes I call on you and sometimes I will ask for volunteers. I always give you points if you make efforts to communicate in Spanish or translate something for the class. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes when you speak! What matters is that you make the effort. It will pay off. On a negative note, if you are a distraction to others and interfere in anybody’s learning or if you are off task, I will reduce your participation points. (I absolutely hate to do this, but be forewarned).

5. Materials: Until there is a complete class set of books in the classroom, you are expected to bring your text, as well as your workbook, to class every day.

6. Homework: Expect to have an assignment every night. If there is a test, your assignment is to study.

7. Grades: I use a point system to evaluate your progress. I will weight your grade as follows:

Homework: 20%

Quizzes and tests: 50%

Participation: 30%

This first marking period will be kind of difficult to determine grades. I have decided that 5/8 of your grade will be from Ms. Joy’s grades and 3/8 from my grades. My grades the first marking period will not include participation points. I will weight them 60% tests and 40% homework.

7. Personal: Because of plans I committed to before accepting this teaching position, I will not be in class the week of October 15^th. I will leave detailed plans for the substitute, who hopefully will be a Spanish speaker.

It has been delightful to meet each and every one of you; I look forward to a fruitful and happy year with you. Que gocemos y hablemos mucho espanol!

Please share this paper with your parents or guardians. Thanks.