VENICE HIGH SCHOOL
Course Fact Sheet: World Languages		  		 			Course: Spanish I
Teacher:  Colleen Najm		Certification: Spanish K-12
Education:
•	B.A., Spanish and English; University of North Carolina @ Greensboro
•	M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction; National-Louis University at Tampa
•	45 hours post-masters; Sarasota District Schools and Pepperdine/Connected University
•	12 hours post-graduate; AP Spanish and Bilingual Education; UNCG and UCF
Experience: 
•	Instructor at Venice High since 1981: Spanish I, II, III, IV, V, VI, AP,  English II & IV, Speech I & II
•	Online Instructor of Technology: Pepperdine/Connected University

Prerequisite: Strong language arts background is highly recommended. (NOTE: Two credits of one world language are required for acceptance into a Florida college and for the Florida Merit Scholarships, not for graduation.) Spanish is a college preparatory class and an academic elective and will be taught as such.
Course Description:
Spanish I is designed to help students explore the language and culture of the Hispanic world. It introduces the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on vocabulary building and verb structures.
Course Objectives:
As stated in the Florida Sunshine State Standards the students will be able to:
•	Engage in conversation to express feelings and ideas.
•	Communicate spontaneously when given a familiar topic.
•	Read aloud and speak with correct pronunciation.
•	Be able to develop an appreciation for the Hispanic culture.

Course Expectations and Class Management:
1. Successful completion of this course depends on the degree to which students are willing to apply themselves. They must take responsibility for learning and respond to questions, speak in front of the class, keep notes, complete assignments, ask for help as needed, and prepare for quizzes and tests. Occasionally there is extra credit (usually online work), but it cannot compensate for consistently poor grades. Students should study on a regular basis even if there is no specific homework assignment. 

2. Students must attend class regularly in order to succeed: you cannot learn if you are not here. Students should be absent from school only when absolutely necessary. Much of the classroom activity cannot be made up; the benefit of lectures, discussion and participation is lost forever to those who are absent. Be familiar with School Board attendance policies. Absences MUST be excused within three days. 

3. Students are allowed to sign out the restroom pass during class only if it is absolutely necessary. Excessive use of the pass will result in parent contact and deduction of employability points. If there are health issues, please contact me. Do not stay in another class without my prior permission.

4. Students need a three-ring notebook (no spirals) for all notes and assignments. It is for Spanish class only and must be brought to class daily. Notebooks or assignments may be collected for a grade at any time without prior notice. Paper and pens/pencils are needed everyday. Not having supplies results in loss of employability points. Students need access to the Internet in order to complete some assignments and download information from the class web site.
 
5. Students are expected to know and follow classroom procedures, as well as School Board and Venice High School rules and policies. Failure to do so will result in a lower employability grade and disciplinary action. Any problems causing disruption to the class will be handled by consultation with the student, parent contact, guidance conferences, and administrative referrals. There are only two rules in this class:
Be responsible for yourself & respectful of others.

6. Students have the number of days that they were absent in order to make up work. Any assignments are completed at home and turned in within the correct number of days. Quizzes/ tests are made up at school. Students should follow this procedure in order to make up work:
	Read the board & web site calendar for what was done in class on the day(s) absent.
	Get the notes and handouts from your partner or trusted classmate.
	See the teacher for extra work that may be assigned.
	Check for “zeros” on Smart Web and make up work within the allotted time frame.
	Arrange to make up a quiz or test during lunch or before/after school, not during class. 

Instructional Materials:
Textbook, workbooks, cds: Realidades (Prentice Hall Level I series). Each student is responsible for the text that is checked out to them via the media center. Replacement cost is approximately $65.00.
Grading Scale:
A 90 – 100%	B 80 – 89%	C 70 – 79%	D 60 – 69%	F 0 – 59%	
Grades are rounded to the next percentage point if the grade is .5 or above: 89.5 = 90%
Grading Procedure:
As per School Board policy, Employability Skills account for 20% of the student’s grade in a class. The remaining 80% is as follows: tests 30%, quizzes 20%, class work & homework 30%.

Employability:
Employability is designed to help you make it in the workforce by establishing a good work ethic. Students begin each quarter with 100 points (100%). Points are deducted for the following:
•	truancy or unexcused absence (10) 
•	unexcused tardy; if you have business to take care of, you must first ask me; other teachers are not allowed to keep you during my class period   (5)
•	not having proper materials: notebook, text, paper, pen/pencil (5)
•	disruptive behavior: sleeping, doing other class work, writing notes, not paying attention, dressing inappropriately for school, displaying disrespectful attitude or behavior toward others (5)
•	lack of participation: you are required to attempt the assignments along with the class (5)
*MP3s: are NOT allowed during instruction and testing (5) (At other times I may allow them.)
*CELL PHONES:  (5)
Absolutely no texting during class. Students: set your phone to SILENT/MUTE and put it OUT OF SIGHT. Parents: please do not call the cell during class time.  In an emergency the front office can reach your child.
	1st offense -   5 points and a warning
	2nd offense - 10 points, parent call, phone taken for the class period
	3rd offense – 10 points, parent call, phone taken to the front office for the rest of the day

Contact:
PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Feel free to contact me at any time with your concerns about your child’s progress. You may leave a message for me and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. 
School:  488 – 6726, ext. 65664 until 2:45 p.m. or Home:  497-2018, from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.
E-mail:  colleen_najm@exmail. sarasota.k12.fl.us 
Web site: http://teacherweb.com/FL/VeniceHighSchool/Najm/  

Fact Sheet 09-10