VENICE HIGH SCHOOL Course Fact Sheet: World Languages Course: Spanish II Teacher: Colleen Najm Certification: Spanish K-12 Education: • B.A., Spanish and English; University of North Carolina at 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; UNC-G and UCF Experience: • Instructor at Venice High since 1981: English II & IV, Speech I & II, Spanish I, II, III, IV, V, VI, AP • Online Instructor of Technology: Pepperdine/Connected University • Tutor: Spanish and English Prerequisite: A grade of C or above in Spanish I. (NOTE: Two credits of one world language are required for acceptance into a Florida college and for the Florida Merit Scholarships, not for high school graduation.) This course is a college preparatory class and an academic elective and will be taught as such, in preparation for upper levels of the language. Course Description: Spanish II is designed to help students further their understanding of the language and culture of the Hispanic world. This course expands the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing previously acquired. Vocabulary building and verb structure are emphasized, along with activities designed to help students become more confident in language learning. Course Objectives: In accordance with the Florida Sunshine State Standards the students will: • Engage in conversation to express feelings and ideas. • Be able to communicate spontaneously when given a familiar topic. • Be able to read aloud and speak with correct pronunciation. • Will be able to develop a deeper appreciation for the role of the Hispanic culture in today’s society. Course Expectations and Class Management: 1. Students need to take responsibility for their own learning by fully participating in the class. They must respond to questions, speak in front of the class, keep notes, complete all assignments, ask for help when needed, and prepare for quizzes and tests. Successful completion of this course depends on the degree to which students are willing to apply themselves to the class. There is no extra credit, because it cannot compensate for consistently poor grades. Students need to do their best with the regularly assigned classwork and homework. Students should study on a daily 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 in class. 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 policies concerning attendance and the types of absences. All absences MUST be excused within three days. Any lengthy absence should be brought to the attention of the teacher as soon as possible so that work can be sent home. 3. Do not stay in another class without prior permission from me. Students are allowed to sign out and use the restroom pass during class in an emergency. Excessive use of the pass will result in parent contact and deduction of employability points. If there are health issues, please contact me. 4. Students need a three-ring notebook for all class work, notes, homework, and assignments. Spirals are not permitted. The notebook is for Spanish class only and must be brought to class daily. Notebooks may be collected for a completion grade at any time without prior notice. Notebook paper and pens/pencils are needed everyday. Borrowing supplies is not permitted and not having them 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. (Be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook). 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. Assignments are completed at home and turned in within the correct number of days. Quizzes and 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 after school, not during class. Instructional Materials: Textbook, workbooks, cds: Realidades (Prentice Hall Level II series). Each student is responsible for the text that is checked out to them via the media center. Replacement cost is approximately $65.00 .A paperback dictionary is recommended, but not required. 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 25%, class work & homework 25%. 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 to leave the classroom; 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 certain work times, I will allow you to listen to ipods & other mp3 players. Ask permission before using. *CELL PHONES: (10) Absolutely no texting during class. Students: put your phone on SILENT/MUTE during class. Parents: please do not call your child’s 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 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@ sarasota.k12.fl.us Web site: http://teacherweb.com/FL/VeniceHighSchool/Najm/ Fact Sheet 08-09