Spanish I A

Instructor: Sra. Cummings

Academy. Room 205
Phone: (301) 886-8648

Monarch Global
E-mail: cummingsm@monarchcharter.org
Classroom Webpage: sracummings-spanish.weebly.com

Foreign languages courses are academically rigorous courses that require dedication, focus and commitment from
students. Not only are students required to complete all classwork diligently but they are also expected to continue the
learning process at home through constant review and practice. This would enable them to be more successful in
acquiring the skills (listening, writing, reading and speaking) needed to perform at the optimum level in these courses.
Please note that your child is expected to successfully complete the course and the World Languages County Assessment
in order to receive the high school credit.

Students seeking to qualify for admission to Maryland colleges and universities must complete a minimum of two
credits of the same World or Classical Language.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Spanish 1A class is the first of a high school credited course. It is designed to introduce students to the Spanish
language with basic grammar and syntax, simple vocabulary and with an emphasis on meaningful communication. The
cultural component exposes students to the geography and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world through art, literature,
customs, and history. This course provides constant opportunities to explore the five Cs of world language education
Communication, Culture, Communities, Connections, and Comparisons.

COURSE BELIEFS
Acquiring a world language will equip students to participate in our global community and empower them to meet the
challenges of the 21st century. World Languages open doors not only to other languages, but also to other cultures, thus
helps students to gain understanding and appreciation for people from other countries.

STANDARDS
Per American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Maryland World Language Standards,
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening skills are assessed. These four strands are represented in the National Standards
for Learning Languages by the Communication standards (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and the level of
proficiency demonstrated.
In addition, the standards of the other four goals for learning languages Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and
Communities also support and are aligned with the Common Core. These standards describe the expectations to ensure
all students are college, career, and world-ready.
The communication standards are:
1.1 INTERPERSONAL: Students exchange information orally and in writing in the target language in a culturally
appropriate manner to provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.2. INTERPRETIVE: Students understand and interpret the target language in its spoken and written form on a variety
of topics.
1.3. PRESENTATIONAL: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a
wide variety of topics in the target language.

ACTFL: http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3392#standards
MSDE: World Language Maryland Standard

RESOURCES
Textbook: Realidades 1A Published by Pearson. Although this is the course textbook, it will be used only as
an additional resource since we will be using a variety of authentic material to enhance language learning.
In addition to their notes, students are encouraged to use a variety of resources to practice their language skills
at home.
Realidades companion website: www.phschool.com Course ContentCompanion
WebsiteWorld languagesRealidades Choose level
Quizlet.com Search for sracummings, create an account and click on our class. Practice with online

flashcards, play games, etc.

senorjordan.com. Wonderful tutorial videos created by a Spanish teacher. Webpage also have a useful
dictionary tab.
Zondle.com Answer Spanish review questions correctly and play videogames.
www.spanishspanish.com. Interactive flashcards, games, spelling quizzes, etc.
Additional resources in our webpage: sracummings-spanish.weebly.com

MATERIALS NEEDED: These must be brought to class every day.

-Three-ring binder (for keeping classwork, homework, etc.)
- 3 Dividers 1) WARM-UPS & CLASSWORK, 2) HOMEWORK, and 3) QUIZZES & TESTS
- Spiral notebook for note taking.
-Loose leaf papers, pen and pencil
-Index/Flash cards
-Agenda. (for recording daily homework/notifications and for occasional parent-teacher communication)

METHODS OF EVALUATION AND GRADING POLICY

Students will be evaluated in a variety of ways. The students functional ability in Spanish will be measured by listening,
oral, reading, and written tests as well as other class activities. Grading will be as follow:
-Homework (10%): Homework is assigned because it is a tool for developing skills and a method of preparing you for
class. Homework packets/choice boards and individual assignments will be given at the beginning of every lesson and
throughout the units. In addition, students are expected to review and study nightly for at least 10-15 minutes whether or
not there is a specific assignment. It is the students responsibility to budget time in order to avoid completing the
packets/choice boards at the last minute.
-Classwork (25%): Warm-ups, essential questions, individual/ group activities, reflections, etc.
-Formative and Summative Assessments (50%): vocabulary quizzes, exams, oral interviews, projects, presentations,
and end of unit standard based performance assessments given to assess and reinforce previously learned information.
Most quizzes will be announced, but pop quizzes are also possible.
-Participation (10%): Note taking, engagement, contribution to group activities, and individual volunteered/random oral
participation. (Communication is key to student success and they are urged to make every attempt to communicate in the
target language as much as possible.) Students are expected to participate in class activities every day. This includes
speaking in Spanish daily. While I do not expect students to speak perfectly, I do expect them to try their best and to be
prepared when called on. Oral participation is never based on target language accuracy, but on effort.
-Benchmark Exam (5%): Two County-wide exams.
In order to successfully pass this course and take the following Spanish 1B, students need to have an overall
passing grade in the class (the average of all four quarters). A high school credit will be obtained upon successful
completion of both courses, Spanish 1A and 1B.

EXPECTATIONS:
In order to promote student independence and love for learning, first, there has to be a safe learning environment where
they feel empowered to learn and to take risks with their new language. Therefore, students are expected to follow the
school policies and our classroom principles based on the 4 Rs.

BE RESPONSIBLE: Enter on time and ready to learn, bring required materials, follow directions, make an effort to do
your best, take notes, complete assignments on time, make your own decisions, and expect to be hold accountable for your
own actions. Set goals for yourself and ways to achieve them.
BE RESPECTFUL: of yourself, learning, others, and property, and display safe behaviors. This class requires a lot of
interpersonal communication and I expect everyone to work together respectfully. I also expect students to be kind to one
another, do not interrupt and listen quietly when others are speaking or when we are doing listening activities.
BE REFLECTIVE: Think about your own work and learning. Ask yourself about your goals, progress, strategies, and
resources to achieve them. Ask yourself how your behavior affects others. Think about how you can do something better
and plan to make changes.
BE A RISK-TAKER: have initiative, have the courage to speak Spanish and make mistakes, participate in activities, ask
questions when you dont understand.

Specific classroom expectations, requirements, and procedures will be discussed and practiced during the
first few weeks of school and reinforced throughout the year as needed.
According to the AACPS Code of Student Conduct, the use of any communication/electronic devices is prohibited. All
cell phones are to be turned off and out of sight. Unless prescribed and doctors note is produced, eating or drinking is not
permitted in the classroom. Chewing gum is not allowed.

Remember: You are the key to your success!

LATE WORK and INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS
Late assignments will be penalized by 10% and only admitted within 5 school days.
As per the county grading policy, a minimum grade of 50% will be issued to assignments or assessments for which the
student made a good faith effort as determined by the teacher, to meet the basic requirements. If a student does not work
on an assignment or assessment, the teacher shall assign a grade of zero.
Make-up work: The standard policy for Anne Arundel County applies to this class. When a student is absent, it is the
students responsibility to get the make-up work. The student will be allotted the same number of days equal to the
number of days absent to make-up work. Work will always be in the Make-Up Folder to be retrieved.

OPPORTUNITY FOR MASTERY (RE-DO POLICY)

Students earning an overall C or less or on any summative (quiz, test, project) and with parent or guardians permission,
are encouraged to attend after school Intervention to come up with an action plan and obtain support. Students are also
encouraged to take advantage of the one extra credit assignment per quarter.
Per AACPS regulation, students may redo three assignments or assessments each quarter. Students will have only one
opportunity to redo the chosen assignment or assessment. After an opportunity for mastery is graded, the higher grade
shall be the grade of record. Students will have ten school days (not A/B) from receiving the original grade to complete a
redo. Students are encouraged to participate in teacher-led re-teaching.
The teacher may choose to have the student redo all of an assessment or assignment or may have student only redo
specific items or parts of the work. Students may not redo warm-ups/essential questions, homework, the quarterly
assessment, or a large project. However, students may redo parts of a large project, if graded separately by the teacher,
with each part counting as a separate redo. Assessments or assignments due in the last week of the quarter are not eligible.

It is students responsibility to set up a time to make up any test or quiz.

Help Day: Thursdays during lunch.

Please check with our classroom webpage and googleclassroom for updates on resources and
assignments.
RECORDING OF GRADES AND COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS:
Per AACPS regulation, all grades, with the exception of lengthy assignments such as projects and extended writing
assignments, will be entered into Parent Connect within one week of assignment submission. Parents can check Parent
Connect regularly to monitor student grades.
Please log onto the secure website to access your childs grades. If you do not have an account, use the following link:
http://www.aacps.org/html/parents/parentconnect/parentconnect.asp
ALL students will receive interims and report cards on those dates indicated on AACPS calendar: Sept. 23rd. Nov. 1st. Dec
8th. Jan 31st. Feb 24th. April 17th. and May 5th.
In addition, every effort will be made to provide students with an additional progress report in between those dates.
*Grades will not be discussed during instructional time*

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
In order to promote the pursuit of academic excellence and learning, AACPS expects all students to conform to specific
standards of academic integrity. Academic integrity means exhibiting honesty in all academic exercises and assignments.
Academic Dishonesty refers to any form of misconduct that occurs in relation to all academic exercises. A student who
exhibits academic dishonesty as determined by the teacher and administrator shall receive a zero on the particular
assignment in question.

The purpose of a project/ performance based assessment is to provide additional practice and the
opportunity to demonstrate students accomplishment. Therefore, students must submit work that fairly
and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work that suggest the use of online translators
(beyond its dictionary purpose) or not being the product of the students own efforts, will be considered
dishonest and earn a grade of ZERO.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS: This years Back to School Night is on August 30th from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Please come
by and see what our classroom is all about. We will touch on both the material your child is learning as well as our
grading, homework, discipline, and test policies.
Lastly, considering we are partners in your childs education, I would like to extend my invitation to communicate with
me as much as you wish. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via
phone, e-mail, or by sending a note with your child.
I am looking forward to a great year!
Sra. Cummings

--------------------------------------Please detach and return------------------------------------------

Sra. Mara Cummings SPANISH 1A

Homeroom Teacher:____________________
Class Days/Period______________________

Please fill out the following information, sign, and return by September 2nd to ensure that both
you and your child have read and understood the content of this letter.

This is their first homework assignment!

Student name: _______________________________Signature:________________________
Parent/guardian name: ________________________ Signature: ________________________
Parent/guardian e- mail (print):___________________________________________________

Parent/guardian phone numbers:

Cell______________________Work____________________Home______________________
Do you have internet access at home? Y______ N_______
Is there anything that I should be aware of regarding your child?