HW policy

Anybody who can speak his or her own native language can learn a foreign language. So, if you are able to speak English and read this sentence, you CAN learn Spanish. Unlike some other subjects, you are all beginners, and everybody is in the same boat. Think of yourself as, in a way, back in Kindergarten. You will be learning to speak, listen, read, and write all over again! What you achieve will be a result of your effort more than any other factor. It is an opportunity to find success and fun in a completely new subject. By the end of the year, you will be able to do the following, ¡totalmente en español!

You will be assessed on your performance in the areas of listening comprehension, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, culture, and oral expression. More emphasis will be on vocabulary and comprehension, especially during the first semester. Points are generally assigned as followed:


Q~		Can I make up work if I don't do well on something?
A~		For major tests, I generally offer a make-up on all or part of the test. Projects, quizzes and HW can be made up only at the teacher's discretion. As for HW, see HW policy on the following pages.

Q~		Can I get any extra credit?
A~		¡Claro que sí! Yes, I occasionally will offer a 'bonus' opportunity. You may also propose your own idea to me, especially if it something that interests you. Generally the Bonus will be modest (one or two points) and you will be limited in the number of times you can earn extra credit.

Q~		Does Sra. Riddle give pop quizzes?
A~		Sí. Pop quizzes assess what you really KNOW, not what you crammed the night before. Unannounced assessments will hold students accountable only for material that has been thoroughly covered in class. Any student who attends class regularly, pays attention, and does his/her work with reasonable effort should do well on these assessments. If outside class preparation or study time is necessary for success, the test/quiz will be announced beforehand. If you are struggling or have been absent, you need to take steps to make sure you catch up in the case that there is an unannounced assessment!

Come prepared: As 8^th graders, you know what your basic responsibilities are, and there is no need to list them. But here a few. You should ALWAYS

Discipline: When any of these three principles is violated, there will be consequences. Since every student is an individual, and every situation is different, the consequences will vary. One or more the following consequences may apply, depending on the situation:

1. I always strive to be fair in the way I treat and assess students. If you feel I haven’t been so, LET ME KNOW, in person or in writing. Just be respectful, and we will work it out together.

2. I am ALWAYS available to listen to you—if you need to vent about something or if you feel upset/frustrated with anything (Spanish, life, etc.) I ask only that you speak to me respectfully and NOT during a lesson / in front of the class. (i.e. by exchanging letters or talking privately)

3. If you are behaving negatively in my class, I will try not to judge you or get angry. I will work with you to try and figure out WHY it is happening and HOW to help you fix it.

4. I will respect you as a young adult, and I therefore will try to treat you as such and work with you before I go above your head (parents, administrators). However, if any behavioral issue is not resolved between us, I will immediately do so.

Homework/Assignments policy

Señora Riddle (laproferiddle@charter.net, or ext. 6731)

‘Tarea gratis’ ~ Freebie HW: Everybody has a bad day. Or, papers get lost, left behind at home, in a locker, or in a binder you don’t have with you. Therefore, your lowest HW grade will be automatically dropped at the end of each term. (4 freebies for the year).

“Puerta abierta” ~ Open door policy: If you have more zeros than you would like, HW or otherwise, make an appointment with me to come after school. I will give you alternative work for the hour, and you will receive full credit! This is per marking period only—i.e. you cannot make up an assignment from the first part of the term after midterm grades have closed. Also, you may only make up ONE assignment per visit after school. (please don't come after school the day that grades closed and expect to be able to make up 3 assignments.)

On time = full credit, and late = zero. Since you have the above 2 options, homework must be submitted immediately on the due date upon request. Unless you were just absent, no HW means no credit. Once we move on with the lesson, your HW has either been submitted, or it is a ‘zero’. You will not receive credit by going to your locker to retrieve homework or finding your HW in your binder 5 minutes after it has been collected/checked or we have begun to discuss it. HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE FOR PARTIAL CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!

Absences: According to the student handbook, you have 3 days from the day you return to make up assignments. However, in order to make the teacher’s AND your life easier, it is highly recommended that you check the website and/or contact a HW buddy so that you can have the HW done for the day you return. If you were absent 3 or more days, see me to arrange a plan. I WILL NOT CHASE DOWN STUDENTS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU MISSED AND MAKE IT UP. IF YOU MISS A QUIZ/TEST/GRADED ACTIVITY AND DO NOT MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT MADE UP WITHIN 3 DAYS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ‘ZERO’.

‘Four for a Score’: The purpose of HW is to practice Spanish, not to be perfect in Spanish. It is about PUTTING IN THE TIME AND EFFORT. You may receive full credit for an assignment even if you get stuck, as long as you prove that you TRIED. If a particular question or blank or section has you stumped, you may write the “four for a score” instead. You will receive full credit for the assignment. You must repeat this for each sentence/blank/section you are not understanding:

1) Exactly what stumped you. Indicate which # or section it was. (i.e. ‘I didn’t get #4’ is not sufficient. ‘I didn’t get # 4 because the words ‘hoja’ and ‘carta’ confused me.’ is sufficient.)

2) Which of the strategies/resources discussed in class you used to try and figure it out (book, notes, HW buddies, readings, class work, dictionary, website)

3) Why the strategies didn’t work. (i.e. you didn’t bring your book/notes home, you didn't have time, you still don’t understand a key concept and need help, etc.)

4) What you think needs to happen. (i.e. If you need extra help to be able to understand the material, or if you just need to bring your binder and book home in the future, etc. )

Since you have the 'four for a score' option, you will receive no credit if any part of an assignment:

has any blanks at all, even if you did 90% of it correctly. (see ‘four for a score’ above)

Work that is done carelessly/sloppily (i.e. the “two-minute job”), is obviously rushed, does not follow directions, or is illegible will earn you no credit. If you have bad handwriting (as I do!) you may either A) take extra time to write slowly and legibly or B) type. If I have to struggle to read it, it is not acceptable!

To the student: Review the policies, and if you don’t agree with any part of them, feel free to make an appointment with me to discuss it BEFORE you sign this!

I have reviewed the 1)grading, 2)homework, and 3)conduct policies. I agree to their terms and will do my best to live up to Señora Riddle’s expectations.

To the parent/guardian: Please sign below or, if you wish to discuss something further before doing so, contact me first with any questions or concerns you may have. Ext. 6731 or laproferiddle@charter.net

I have read the 1)grading, 2)homework, and 3)conduct policies and discussed them with my child. I agree to their terms, and will work with my child and the teacher to resolve any problems that may arise.

To the student: Review the policies, and if you don’t agree with any part of them, feel free to make an appointment with me to discuss it BEFORE you sign this!

I have reviewed the 1)grading, 2)homework, and 3)conduct policies. I agree to their terms and will do my best to live up to Señora Riddle’s expectations.

At least four NEAT, COMPLETE sentences for each number / part you got stuck on! This must be filled out BEFORE class, and submitted when homework is checked / collected.

Spanish one/ español uno

Class Description and Grading policy

Homework/Assignments policy

Señora Riddle (laproferiddle@charter.net, or ext. 6731)

Q~		Will there be homework in Spanish class?
A~		¡Claro que sí! (Of course!) “Homework” is defined as anything you do for Spanish class outside of classroom time. And to learn a foreign language, it definitely helps to practice outside of class!

Q~		If I pay attention in class and don't care about getting an 'A', can I get by without consistently doing homework?
A~		Yes...at first. Then it will catch up with you. Students who are good at 'soaking up the info' during class will do okay on tests/quizzes in the beginning even if they don't practice outside of class, but eventually the lack of practice will catch up with you. In learning to speak a foreign language, practice is far more important than natural ability.

Q~		How strict is Sra. Riddle's HW policy? Will she let me make up work if I don't do it?
A~		My policy is very fair, and aims to recognize genuine effort. Please read below: