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- Why do we study Spanish in Elementary School?
- Do we have homework?
- How do I earn points for my grade in Spanish?
- What is a Think Ticket and/or a Change of Grade Form?
- How do I get a good grade in Spanish class?
- What can I do to help my child study Spanish during the off-seasons?
- My child is new to the district and has never spoken Spanish before. HELP!
- Do you ever need any volunteer help?
- How do you calculate a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student's skills grade?
- How do you calculate a 1st and/or 2nd grade student's skills grade?
- How do you calculate a Kindergarten student's grade?
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Why do we study Spanish in Elementary School?
There are so many reasons, but here are just a few:
*Language learning improves the brain
*Gives children an appreciation of different cultures
*Increases overall employment opportunities
*Useful for traveling abroad
*Scientific research confirms that the prime time in life for learning
a second language is Elementary School because of what Newsweek calls
the "window of opportunity" for learning
*Actually improves our knowledge and understanding of the English
language
*Gives us a foundation for high school and college Spanish
*And the most important reason we study in Elementary School ...
Because it's FUN!
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Do we have homework?
There is a minimal amount of homework in Spanish. Worksheets and other take-
home activities are the best way to reinforce learning, but most of it takes
place in the classroom. Any homework assigned IS required and must be
turned in, otherwise the Spanish grade will suffer.
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How do I earn points for my grade in Spanish?
1. HAVE FUN!
2. TRY YOUR BEST!
3. PARTICIPATE! Participation is KEY for reinforcement and to acquire the
language. Participation is not based solely on a child's ability to answer
correctly the questions asked in the target language. Instead, it is based
on a culmination of partner-share activities, as well as group games and
homework.
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What is a Think Ticket and/or a Change of Grade Form?
A Think Ticket is a behavioral "ticket" that lets parents know when a child
has received 3 or more warnings in class. A Change of Grade Form will
always precede a Think Ticket to let parents aware of any behavioral
situation(s) that have arisen in class. Both forms must be signed by the
child's parent and returned within a week otherwise a phone call home
will be placed. A Change of Grade Form will not affect a student's behavior
grade. However, once a Think Ticket is sent home, a student's behavior
grade will drop by one full letter grade.
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How do I get a good grade in Spanish class?
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Just like with anything that you do (inside
and outside of the classroom), you need to practice! Generally speaking,
each student receives two grades for Spanish: skills and citizenship. The
skills grade is based on class participation, projects/homework, and the end-
of-the-semester test. The citizenship grade is based solely on behavior in
class.
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What can I do to help my child study Spanish during the off-seasons?
Click on any of the links provided within this website. Also consider
investing in an awesome new DVD called Mom, Dad and Me Aprendemos
Español. Read below for the 5-star review it received from Midwest Book
Review. (If you're interested in purchasing this DVD, please email me
directly.)
*****An invaluable educational explorative collection of teachings for the
Spanish language, April 10, 2006
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Mom, Dad And Me Aprendemos Espanol, deftly presented by la manzana roja
company, is an invaluable educational explorative collection of teachings
for the Spanish language, based on Gloria Novak's wonderful and tactful
approach to teaching linguistics. Enhanced with the easy-to-follow format
for children and parents alike, Mom, Dad And Me Aprendemos Espanol opens
with an introduction followed by Aprendemos Espanol (let's learn Spanish),
Los colores (colors), Vamos a jugar con pelota (let's play ball!), Los
numeros (nubers), Los pollitios (the little chicks), El abecedario (the
alphabet), Las partes del cuerpo (parts of the body), La arana chiquitica
(the itsy-bitsy spider), mandatos (commands), Los elefantes (the elephants),
Veinte burbujas (twenty bubbles), and creditos (credits). Mom, Dad And Me
Aprendemos Espanol is a fun and informative introduction and in-depth
education on the Spanish language for parents an children alike, very highly
recommended for its easily followed mapping of its content, and such the
informative and irreplaceable lessons it teaches.
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My child is new to the district and has never spoken Spanish before. HELP!
Not to worry. Children learn Spanish through a variety of avenues targeted
at their age level. We learn in a relaxed, playful environment where
everyone is encouraged to participate and try their best. Points are given
for the attempt, rather than solely for the correct answer. The target
language is constantly reinforced and made comfortable for anyone to learn
the language. For further help, please e-mail or call me to set up a
conference time to discuss at-home strategies to encourage language learning.
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Do you ever need any volunteer help?
I ALWAYS need help! Whether it be cutting class sets of fun activities,
putting up a bulletin board outside of my classroom, or creating hands-on
games, I can always use help! Please email me by using the above correo
link and let me know if and when you are available. Thanks in advance! :-)
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How do you calculate a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student's skills grade?
All grades are averaged into Skyward. The test is weighted double.
Standards from each class (participation, folder checks/daily warm-up
activities, etc.) will be calculated separately, as the amount of time spent
in class varies due to assemblies, field trips, testing, etc. Extra credit
will be factored into a student's grade at the end of the semester and
usually, but not always, has enough impact to increase a student's grade by
one level.
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How do you calculate a 1st and/or 2nd grade student's skills grade?
First and second grade Spanish is really all about learning and practicing
basic foundational Spanish to build on in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. These
are important years that require participation and student involvement in
games, activities, lessons, etc. As such, a 1st or 2nd grade student's
skills grade will be calculated at the end of each semester based on my
records of participation and involvement. Extra credit will be factored
into a student’s grade at the end of the semester. Standards from each
class will be calculated separately, as the amount of time spent in class
varies due to assemblies, field trips, testing, etc.
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How do you calculate a Kindergarten student's grade?
Because Kindergarten Spanish P.E. is mainly an extension of physical
education, I do not handle the grades. However, student involvement and
participation in daily exercise, as well as the supplemental Spanish games,
is not only necessary but key to learning about physical education and
Spanish alike. Any behavioral issues will be addressed with the P.E.
teacher and a fair grade for both classes will be averaged.
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