Spanish 3 Ms. Aldemir Laguna Hills High School, Room P-28 Back to School Night 2012

Goals for Spanish 3  To increase students’ ability to communicate in Spanish, both spoken and written  For students to be prepared for Spanish Language 4 AP/IB and have the desire to continue their study of the language  For students to develop an appreciation of Spanish-speaking cultures

Major Concepts in Spanish 3  Reinforce the present, preterite, and imperfect tenses (narration of events in the past)  Adjective agreement  Reflexive verbs  Informal and formal commands  Present Perfect tense (I have eaten, she has spoken, etc.)

 Future and Conditional Tense  Grammar fine points (lo que/that which, se/speaking about unintentional events/differences between por and para, etc.)  Subjunctive mode  All language referring to abstract situations, opinions, hopes & desires, disagreements, etc.  Reading in Spanish (at least one short novel).

Textbook & Materials  Ven conmigo 3 will be used as the primary text for the course, and should be brought to class every day.  Due to the budget crisis, our texbook adoption is twelve years old, and two years overdue. The free workbooks provided for the life of the adoption by the publisher (usually expected to be ten years) have run out, so your students are the last ones to receive a consumable copy.  Students also need:  A pencil or pen  Cuaderno (notebook or binder), organized

Other Helpful Supplies  A supply of flashcards  A pen of another color for correcting  A Spanish-English dictionary

Study Time  Yes, Spanish is an elective. It is, however, a cumulative, academic, college- preparatory class that requires dedication to ensure success.  Foreign language is not required for graduation from high school, but successful completion of a minimum of two years is required to enter most four- year colleges and universities as a freshman.

Homework  Homework each night is to review vocabulary and grammar, and any new information from that day’s class.  Additionally, there will be written homework assigned three to four nights per week for Spanish 3.  There will also be occasional projects and writing assignments throughout the year.

Make-up work (late or absent)  If a student is absent, he/she is to go complete the work, take a late work form, and turn the work in. There is a place on the form to indicate that the work is late due to absence. Absent work will receive 100% credit.  If a student doesn’t complete an assignment, he/she may turn it in late for 60% credit. The requirement above applies.

Tests & Quizzes  There will generally be a test or quiz every week. Sometimes a vocabulary quiz, sometimes a grammar quiz, and sometimes a comprehensive chapter test. Tests will be announced at least two days prior (usually more). Please see my website to confirm.

Make-up Tests  If a student misses a test or quiz, it is his or her responsibility to come in at Tutorial to complete it as soon as possible. The sooner he/she completes the test, the better the result will be.  Final quarter deadlines:  Friday, November 9, 2012  Monday, January 21, 2013  Thursday, March 28, 2013  Friday, June 14, 2013

Classroom Participation  Participation is required!  Students will receive points daily for coming to class prepared, and participating. Students will lose points for not arriving prepared, being off task, or failing to participate.

Extra Help  It is important that if your son/daughter is struggling, that he/she get help right away, as falling behind builds up.  I am in my room every day at Tutorial and am very happy to help my students.  If you need a tutor, please see me. We keep a list of tutors that is updated every year.

What can you do to help your son/daughter in this class (especially if you don’t speak Spanish!)?  Encourage your student to study his/her Spanish, even when there is no written homework. As I mentioned in my class guidelines, students should review their Spanish daily. Although Spanish is an elective, please remember it is a cumulative, academic, college preparatory course.  Foster awareness of the benefits of being bilingual in our changing world.

 Check to see that your son/daughter is keeping up with the work. Encourage him/her to arrive to class prepared, to make up missed work in a timely fashion, and to participate in class, as participation and practice are critical to learning a foreign language.  Encourage the use of flash cards and offer to quiz him/her on vocabulary.  Encourage your son/daughter to come to my Tutorial.  If your child has been doing everything else and is still having difficulty, get a tutor (we have a list available).

 Check my website regularly:  Check your child’s grades online:  me if you have any concerns/questions.

How to reach me:    *If you are unable to use , please call the school and ask the secretary to leave a message in my mailbox, because there has been trouble with the voic system.

Questions?