Classroom Policies and Procedures

Classroom Expectations

• Be Safe and Responsible                                         
• Be Kind and Respectful
• Be Prepared to Learn

Attendance

       Since foreign language is a skill that cannot be learned adequately without constant practice, it is imperative that students be in class.  Students are expected to be punctual and be ready to work.  Written and listening assignments may be made up if the absence is excused.  Due dates will be determined by assignment length and number of days missed.  If the student has missed a test or quiz, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the test on the next scheduled make-up day, or arrange a specific date and time with me.  Tests and/or homework not completed as arranged and within 1 week will be recorded as zero.

Course Description

       This course is designed for students who have shown interest in taking beginning level I Spanish in the seventh grade.  Upon satisfactory completion of the 7^th grade, students will be eligible for Spanish in the 8^th grade.  Once a student successfully completes 8^th grade Spanish, he or she will earn one high school credit and be eligible for Level 2 Spanish in ninth grade.

            During this course of study, students will gradually begin to use the target language to respond to instructional lessons and build upon receptive skills in listening and understanding Spanish.  Reading, writing, speaking and listening in the new language will be used daily. 

Text Book

Title:  En Español     Publisher:  McDougal Littell     Copyright:  2004

       En Español will be checked out to you through the media center.  Students may check out a computer CD, called Take Home Tutor for additional practice.  It may be downloaded and returned the next day.  www.classzone.com is a great website from the textbook publishers with flashcards and practice quizzes.  Students should practice flashcards each night.

Course Objectives

       Students will be studying the grammar, vocabulary and culture for each chapter in the textbook in the target language.  The themes for this year will be: greetings, introductions, likes and dislikes, describing self and others, clothing, family, dates, possession, classes and classroom objects, pastimes, schedules, time, asking questions, food, phone, feelings, sports, weather, and daily routines.

Assignments

       Students are asked to participate in daily class activities and record their work in their Spanish notebook.  The following describes classroom routines:

• Homework packets due each Monday
• Vocabulary quizzes each Friday
• Projects assigned periodically (check homework packet coversheet for dates and assignments)

Grading

       Grades will be categorized into the following criteria:

Vocabulary quizzes and exams, Homework, Participation, Projects and Note book.  Points will be given accordingly and the standardized scale will be used to determine letter grades.  Progress reports will be sent home at least 3 times per trimester.  You may access your student’s grades at any time by going through the “Skyward Family Access” web address system.  Authorization forms are available in the office. 

Materials

Ø      3-ring binder (2”), a spiral notebook, a set of index dividers (5 tabs) and a Spanish Workbook (purchased through business office for $1.75). 

The spiral notebooks will be used to record vocabulary, take grammatical notes and do class activities.  Students will be able to refer to the information when completing homework and studying for quizzes and chapter tests.  All handouts and homework will be organized in the 3-ring binder.  Students will need their binders each day.   

Classroom Management

            Students are expected to respect each other, the teacher and the equipment.  Students who are not able to conduct themselves professionally will be asked to follow through with consequences.  I will notify parents when students have conducted themselves unprofessionally.

HELP

       I am available before and after school on most days, so please don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.  I also have an interactive Spanish webpage set-up for additional practice.  Visit the webpage at:  www.quia.com/pages/jorgensen.html.  Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the webpage for additional links to helpful websites.

Absence Make-Up Policy

       Upon returning to school following an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to find and do his/her missed work.  Students will be given the same amount of time to make up work as the number of days missed.  Students must come in on the next posted day for help or missed test or quiz.  The set days are: Wednesdays at lunch, Thursdays after school or Friday mornings.  If a student can’t make one of the set days, he/she will need to schedule a mutually agreed upon time.

Teacher Contact 

       My class is located in room 502 on the second floor.    The phone number for TJMS is 313-3700.  If you would like to leave a voicemail, my extension is 3752.  You may contact me by email through the TJMS webpage or my email address: conni.jorgensen@vansd.org.  Please do not hesitate to phone or email me with questions or concerns.  I will make every attempt to answer your email by the end of the next school day. 

I look forward to working with all students and their parents/guardians.  The influence of Spanish language and culture is all around us, and I hope that you find the language fun, challenging and beneficial to your future. 

Teacher Contact

Email:  conni.jorgensen@vansd.org

Phone:  360-313-3700

Meet Mrs.  J

I grew up in Camas, WA and graduated from CHS in 1982.  I was then a foreign exchange student to Costa Rica during the summer of ‘82.  I attended Clark College, Portland State University and Western Washington University where I took part in different Spanish Study Programs.   I graduated from WWU in 1986 where I studied Spanish, Latin American Studies and Geography.  I also did a study abroad in Morelia, Mexico where I attended University classes and lived with a native Spanish speaking family.  I received my Master’s Degree from WSU Vancouver.

I have taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and worked as an Administrator and Lead Teacher in a migrant Head Start program in Mt. Vernon, WA. I have also worked with Hispanic students of all ages in the Battleground School District as an ESL instructor.  I found my passion as a Spanish teacher with VSD and love coming to school each day.

I have been married for over 20 years and have one child, a son.  I enjoy photography, movies, traveling and being with my family.

Website Links

www.quia.com/pages/jorgensen.html

www.classzone.com

National Standards for Foreign Language Study

 COMMUNICATION
Communicate in Languages Other Than English

• Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions
• Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
• Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

CULTURES
Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

• Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied
• Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied

CONNECTIONS
Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information

• Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language
• Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures

COMPARISONS
Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture

• Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own
• Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

COMMUNITIES
Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World

• Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
• Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment