Ms. Holman's Spanish Classes

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Hola amigos,

My name is Janette Holman and I have been teaching Spanish at Incline High School since 1991.  I received my Masters in Spanish Language and Literature from CSU, Sacramento.  I have lived and studied in Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain.  I have a Bachelors Degree in French from San Diego State University.  I lived in France for two years in Aix-en-Provence and Nice and studied at the local universities there.  My travels and experiences have been extensive and I am able to share that passion that I have for languages and cultures with my students.

In the Foreign Language Department, we use the method of Total Physical Response Storytelling.  The TPR part was developed in the 1960’s and the S part came in the early 1980’s.   TPRS and Natural Acquisition make the class active and continually participating in the learning of the language.  Natural Acquisition means student will learn the second language as he did his first language.  This is taught through comprehensible input, low affective filters, gestures, acting out, putting motion to words, etc.  Spanish levels 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 are used with TPRS and the Look, I Can Talk Series by Blaine Ray.  In addition, Ven Conmigo and other resources are used.

 The AP class is rigorous since this is a college level course.  Homework is given at least two times per week.  AP Spanish is refining the grammar and speaking the language during the year in order to pass the AP test in May.  We use a variety of resources such as Una Vez Más, Galería de Arte y Vida, Triángulo and more.  The Spanish AP test is based on five skills: listening, reading, grammar, writing and speaking. 

STUDENT CONTRACT:                                                                                                                         

Classroom expectations and grading policies

The following rules apply to ensure a student’s basic right to learn:

1.        Students will speak in Spanish (except for a grammar explanation).

2.       Students will respect the opinions and contributions of others in the class.

3.       Students will raise their hand to be called on or to speak in class.

4.       Students will come to class with the required materials EVERY DAY.

5.       Students will stay seated and wait for the teacher to dismiss the class.

6.       Incline High School rules will be observed in this classroom:

·      NO HATS

·      NO FOOD OR DRINK, only water is allowed

·      No walkmans, turn off cell phones or pagers

·      Absolutely no profanity

·      No other work is allowed in class

·      Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated

Consequences for inappropriate behavior are:

1.      Subtle/verbal reminder in class

2.     Meeting with student/detention

3.     Parent/guardian contact

4.     Administration intervention

Homework and Grading Policy:

·         All student work will be based on a point system.  The student’s letter grade will be based on the percentage of the possible points earned by that student.  Generally, tests are worth 200 points, quizzes are between 25 – 50 points and homework, daily work, journal entries are 3 points and/or  actuation / participation is 10 points.

·         Homework will be assigned frequently.  Homework is checked at the beginning of class and if it is not complete will receive zero credit.  Late work that is one day late will receive half credit.  Two days or more late, no credit will be given, only a check mark.

·         Pop quizzes cannot be made up so please be on time to class.

·         Storytelling that is missed during class will be made up the next day.

·         Weekly vocabulary quizzes (including previous vocabulary) will be given and vocabulary will be studied nightly in order to pass the quizzes. Practice makes perfect. 

·         Tests will be made up on the day of return if a student is absent on the day of a test.

Págame (pay me) system:

You will be given a págame when you:

·         Speak in English, speak in English when others are talking or I am giving an explanation.  (There is a NO ENGLISH RULE).

For each págame 1.25% will be deducted from your SEMESTER academic grade (participation) when disruptions are made during storytelling, actions, role-playing, grammar explanations or tests.  The only time English is used is to explain grammar.  The Good News?  You can make up those points!  You ask how?  Well here’s how:

1.       Write me a card in Spanish!  You will need to explain in Spanish what you did to get the first págame.

2.      Bring me a non-monetary “gift” from the heart.  This can be a picture, a flower or something that will remind me of you.  It must be PRESENTED to me so that I can mark off the second págame.  Again, you will acknowledge why you got the págame.

3.      If you have accumulated more than three (let’s hope not), you will write a 200-word essay on any (G-rated) topic you wish in Spanish.

4.      You may make up one págame for each week left in the semester.  So, if there are only 4 weeks left and you have seven págames, then you may only make up four of them.

5.      ONLY one card and ONLY one “gift” can be turned in per nine weeks.  The other págames will be essays.

Tardy policy (as per school policy):

1.         1^st unexcused tardy – student will receive a verbal warning. 

2.       2^nd unexcused tardy – parent will be notified by mail by post card (as a courtesy) and tardy will be recorded. 

3.       3^rd unexcused tardy – a 7:00 a.m. detention will be assigned.  The tardy will be recorded.  Lunch detention will be available ONLY for those students who have PRIOR administrative approval.

4.       Subsequent tardies – Each subsequent tardy after the third tardy will result in an automatic detention. 

5.       Failure to report for a detention will merit 2 more detentions.  Failure to report for either or both of these detentions will result in a suspension.  PER NRS> 392.4655. 

6.       Excessive suspensions (5) could result in a ninety (90) day (1 semester) suspension.

 Citizenship grade is based upon the Washoe County School District policy and also is affected by tardies.

Daily materials:

·         Pencil, blue or black pen

·         Green and red pen (for preterit and imperfect tenses)

·         A three ringed binder (see handout)

·         Loose leafed paper to last throughout the year

·         A box of tissue or disinfectant surface wipes (10 extra credit points if turned in by Wed., August 31, 2005.)

 Bathroom passes:

Each student will receive three bathroom passes per semester.  After the students have used up the three (3) passes, no further passes will be issued. Use them wisely.  If, however, the student has not used up any or all of the passes, the student will be awarded 5 points per pass to be added to the FINAL points earned at semester.

 If you would like to come in and observe my classes, please feel free to contact me at Incline High School.

Ms. Janette Holman