WLEX+Syllabus

= ** Monocacy **** Middle School ** = = World Language Exploratory – Grade 8 = Guidelines 2011-2012 This year you will enter a new world through language and culture! We will work very hard in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural awareness. By the end of the school year, you will be able to perform basic communication skills is ASL, Spanish, French, Italian, Latin and German. Success in learning a foreign language will require practice beyond the classroom. You should dedicate 20 minutes or more a day to pronunciation, phrases, vocabulary, and grammar practice and review. Some suggestions are: ü Reread the textbook dialogues aloud ü Make and use flashcards ü Complete online activities via [|www.senoramason-gould.wikispaces.com] and [|www.quia.com] ü Work with another person (classmate or family member) Please read the guidelines and have the third page signed. Make this page the first page of your notebook. I look forward to discovering new languages and cultures with you this year! Parents and students may contact me by email: mercedes.mason@fcps.org or by phone: 240-236-4693 (school) or 215-771-5825 (cell). Sincerely,
 * __ Course Description __**

Mercedes Mason-Gould Pen and a pencil 2"/3" three ring binder with loose leaf paper __ Invitation To Languages __ textbook, covered
 * __ Classroom Materials __**


 * __ Grading Policy __**


 * 1) Test/Quizzes: Oral and Written 60%
 * 2) Classwork 30%
 * 3) Homework Assignments 10%


 * __ Academic and Behavioral Expectations for Your Success __**

ü Be in class and in your seat before the bell rings. Bring all class materials daily. ü Be a positive, active learner prepared to concentrate on Spanish only. ü Be ready and willing to work independently and in small or large groups with classmates. ü Be a good listener. Talking or causing distractions interferes with everyone’s learning. ü Maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect. ü Follow directions. ü Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking. ü Don’t hesitate to ask questions and/or let me know if you do not understand. ü Complete all assignments, both homework and classwork, on time. Make up missed assignments and assessments as soon as possible. You are responsible for making the arrangements. ü ** Be honest. Cheating and copying are not tolerated, and will result in parent contact and a zero grade. Online translation resources are NOT to be used. ** ü Be open minded and ready to experience an exciting language and culture!

* The steps will be followed at the teacher’s discretion according to the situation. In the case of an absence on the day work is assigned, **you** are responsible for checking the make-up folder in the classroom in order to come prepared to the next class. You are also responsible for turning in assignments that were due during an absence **the first day of your return**. If you are absent the day of a quiz you shall take the quiz in class the day you return or during the CCP period. I will put your name on the CCP list the day of your absence. If you are absent the day of a major test, you must arrange to make it up within five days. You may come during the CCP period and after school with prior approval.
 * Poor behavior and/or work habits may result in these consequences: **
 * 1) Warning
 * 2) Behavior Reflection
 * 3) Parent contact (phone call, note, or email)
 * 4) After school detention for 30 minutes and/or 60 minutes.
 * 5) Office referral
 * __ Make-Up Policy __**

Homework is given every night. Students must complete assignments to receive credit. Incomplete and/or not completed homework assignments will be accepted one week late (example: An assignment given on Monday will be accepted until the following Monday).
 * __ Homework Policy __**

I will be available for tutoring during CCP and after school on Thursdays until 4:00.
 * __ Tutoring/Extra Help __**


 * __ Pinnacle __**

Grades will be updated on Pinnacle bi-weekly. You may access your child’s grade on the FCPS website [|www.fcps.org]. The following list of codes is provided to help you better understand the Pinnacle grading program.
 * An “X” is issued to excuse work. (This neither hurts nor helps a student’s grade.)
 * A “Z” is used by teachers to let parents know that an assignment has never been turned in. (The “Z” counts as a zero in the student’s grade in order to give an accurate reflection of what the grade will be if the assignment is never turned in.)
 * An actual “0” in a grade book signifies that a student earned a zero on the assignment.

I understand and will follow the foreign language guidelines.

Student Name ________________________________________________ Date _________

Student Signature______________________________________________ Date__________

Parent/Guardian Signature_______________________________________ Date__________