Homework Policy:
  Homework is given on a daily basis.  The average homework assignment should require 15-30 minutes to complete.  All homework assignments are either collected, graded, and/or checked.  If you fail to complete a homework assignment or it is not with you when class begins, you will receive a zero for that assignment.  Late homework is not accepted.  All students are required to keep track of their daily homework assignments in the school agenda book.
    *Homework should be completed to the best of your own ability.  Copying homework will result in a zero and a phone call home to both students involved.*

Attendance and Lateness Policy:
  You should be seated and ready to learn when the late bell rings.  If you arrive to class after the bell, you must present a school pass.  If a pass is not presented, you must sign the late board and serve a team time detention on the following day for being tardy.
    You may attend band lessons, guidance appointments, and other scheduled meetings during class as long as you show me a pass and obtain any classwork/homework you will be missing.  You are responsible for making up all assignments given when you are absent.

Grading Policy:
  Tests (25%), quizzes (50%), and homework (25%) will be recorded throughout each quarter. These are the components from which I will calculate your quarterly average. 
    *Tests/quizzes will be given on a daily basis.  I will always give out a quiz/test format worksheet prior to any assessment.*

Classroom Supplies:
    Organization is one of the keys to success.  It is extremely important that you keep track of all materials I will be giving you throughout the year.  You must bring the following items to class everyday:

• 3 ring binder with 5 sections (classwork, notes, homework, worksheets and tests/quizzes) and a 2 pocket folder.
• Textbook
• Workbook (can be placed in your binder)
• Assigned homework
• A writing utensil (quizzes/tests must be taken in blue/black ink)
• A pocket dictionary (optional)

•     If you are given permission to leave the classroom, you must sign out and take the appropriate pass before leaving.  All students must sign in upon returning.
•     If you come to class without a pen, paper, textbook, etc., you may ask to borrow my supplies. 

• Bridge Chapter (Review of Spanish 7)
• Leisure Activities and Community
• Meal Taking, Food and Drink
• Shopping
• Celebrations
• Health and Well-being
• House and Home
• Travel
• Occupations
• NYS Proficiency Review

Introduction:
    I am looking forward to a very exciting and successful school year with your child.  It is very important that we work together in order to ensure the success of your child.  Therefore, I am providing some information that may be helpful to you throughout the year.  Please feel free to contact me at 245-1885 or krampolla @lakelandschools.org if you have any questions and/or concerns.
 

Extra Help:
    Extra help is available the afternoon before (3:40-4:10) and morning of (8:40-9:10) a quiz or test.
 

New York State High School Requirements:

• All students who began 9th grade in September 2001 in New York State are required to have one credit in a Language Other Than English.
• Students may obtain this credit before entering 9th grade by achieving a grade of at least 65% on the New York State Proficiency Examination.
• Students who do not pass the Proficiency Examination prior to entering grade 9 must pass one year of study at the High School level.

New York State Proficiency Examination in Spanish:

• Speaking 30%:  Consists of a series of conversations with the teacher and also includes classroom performance.  (This section of the test takes place in early Spring.)
• Listening 40%:  Consists of a series of short passages/announcements in Spanish and questions related to those passages/announcements.
• Reading 20%:  Consists of a series of short advertisements and paragraphs in Spanish and questions related to those reading selections.
• Writing 10%:  Consists of two (2) tasks, about which students will write a minimum of 30 words in Spanish.

Suggestions for Parents to Support Second Language Learning:

• Inform yourself.  Be knowledgeable about the program requirements.
• Be supportive at all times.  Your child's success will be affected by your attitude.
• Encourage your child to speak the Second Language at home if he/she wants to, but do not force him/her to do so.
• Be supportive of the program and the teacher.  Try to keep the lines of communication open.
• Try to take advantage of situations that increase your child's exposure to the language and its culture.
• Encourage your child to teach you what they have learned in class each night.  Review new vocabulary with your child.
• Encourage your child to watch television programs and listen to radio programs in the second language.  (Parental Guidance is advised.)
• Show your child how pleased you are with is/her progress.  Be proud of your child's achievement.
• Emphasize your child's successes.

Major Texts:

• Humbach, Nancy A. and Oscar Ozete.  En Camino.  Austin, Texas: Holt, Reinhart and Winston, 1999.  (approximate cost $40.00)
• En Camino:  Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook.  Austin, Texas:  Holt, Reinhart and Winston.  (approximate cost $10.00)

Content Outline:
 

• Bridge Chapter (Review of Spanish 7)
• Leisure Activities and Community
• Meal Taking, Food and Drink
• Shopping
• Celebrations
• Health and Well-being
• House and Home
• Travel
• Occupations
• NYS Proficiency Review

Introduction:
    ¡Bienvenidos a mi clase!  We will be covering many topics that relate to the Spanish language including food, shopping, celebrations, health, and travel.  My goal for this school year is to create a fun and exciting classroom environment and to prepare all of you for the New York State Proficiency Exam.  If we work together during the course of the year, I know that you will enjoy learning in my classroom and I am sure that all of you will be successful at passing the exam in June.
 

Why You Should Study a Foreign Language:
    Sequential foreign language study yields many benefits:

Listening Skills:  Foreign language study has been shown to enhance listening skills and memory, contributing a significant additional dimension to the concept of communication.

Reading Skills:  In the area of language arts, students of second languages are thought to improve their reading comprehension in the native language and also score higher in reading achievement.

Higher Scores:

• Data from the Admissions Testing Program of the College Board shows a positive correlation between SAT scores and the study of foreign languages.
• English and mathematics performance levels of students who have studied a foreign language in high school are higher than those who have not.
• Detailed studies suggest that the mental processing skills required to do mathematics problems are also developed by language processing, and vice versa.

Cultural Pluralism:  Children who have studied a foreign language develop a sense of cultural pluralism, opennes to, and appreciation of other cultures.

Career Development:  Learning a foreign language provides a competitive edge in career choices in today's and tomorrow's world.  New York STate employers express a desire for workers who can communicate in a second language.

Extra Help:
    Extra help is available the afternoon before (3:40-4:10) and morning of (8:40-9:10) a quiz or test.
 

New York State High School Requirements:

• All students who began 9th grade in September 2001 in New York State are required to have one credit in a Language Other Than English.
• Students may obtain this credit before entering 9th grade by achieving a grade of at least 65% on the New York State Proficiency Examination.
• Students who do not pass the Proficiency Examination prior to entering grade 9 must pass one year of study at the High School level.

New York State Proficiency Examination in Spanish:

• Speaking 30%:  Consists of a series of conversations with the teacher and also includes classroom performance.  (This section of the test takes place in early Spring.)
• Listening 40%:  Consists of a series of short passages/announcements in Spanish and questions related to those passages/announcements.
• Reading 20%:  Consists of a series of short advertisements and paragraphs in Spanish and questions related to those reading selections.
• Writing 10%:  Consists of two (2) tasks, about which students will write a minimum of 30 words in Spanish.

Helpful Spanish Links for Students

Helpful Links for Teachers

New York State LOTE Guides  NYS Association of Foreign Language Teachers Foreign Language Teaching Forum (FL Teach) Links for LOTS of Languages

Internet Activities for Foreign Language Classrooms Language Teaching with the Internet Day of the Dead Activities

On-line Projects

The following projects were developed with the assistance of Linda Brandon in an inservice Instructional Technology workshop.  All projects were created using Inspiration.

El Cuerpo Humano

Puerto Rico

The Writing Checklist

Sentirse-to feel