I look forward to working with our student, the staff and you in order to meet the many challenges of achieving our school goals.

COURSE  DESCRIPTIONS

Spanish I is a course designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of the Spanish language.  The learning of a second language invovles the use of four skills:  listening, speaking, reading and writing.  In addition,  the student will be exposed to some cultural lessons dealing with the lives of the Spanish-speaking people.  The student will learn theme-related vocabulary as well as regular AR, ER, and IR verbs of the present tense.

Spanish II is a continuation of the introductory course of the Spanish language.  The student will use reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  The student will review the present tense, study the types of stem-changing verbs as well as the preterite, and imperfect verb tenses. Additional vocabulary centered around theme-related units will be studied.  In addition, the student will study some cultural aspects of the lives of the Spanish-speaking people.

Spanish III is a course designed for the students who have sucessfully completed two years of the Spanish.  The student will use reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  The student will review the present tense, and will concentrate on the present, preterite, and imperfect as well as the future and conditonal verb tenses. Vocabulary presented with theme-related units will also be learned.  In addition, cultural aspects and social issues in Spanish-speaking countries will be discussed.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Homework and daily objectives are listed on the blackboard.  Your child is to write BOTH in the agenda given on the first day at the beginning of class.  I randomly check my student's planners.  If either Homework or daily objectives is (are) missing, then I deduct five (5) points from the student's grade. 

Each student is to bring his or her planner/agenda to class daily.  The planner contains pages that are used as hall passes.

STUDENT ABSENCES:  THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE for making up the work/assignments missed during the EXCUSED absence.  The student is given three (3) days to make up the work missed.  I DO NOT "KEEP AFTER" STUDENTS AND REMIND THEM TO SUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENTS MISSED.

How do you contact me?  You may either call the high school office at 314.256.8660 or you may e-mail me.  My e-mail address is:PMcDowell@bayless.k-12.mo.us.  (Actually, it is probably easier and faster to e-mail me.)

I am available after school on Monday, Thursday and Friday for tutoring or assistance.  I ENCOURAGE the students who need extra help to contact me as soon as possible.  PLEASE do not wait until the last minute.  I do not want anyone to be frustrated or confused--it is not a nice feeling.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Each student will receive a syllablus, classroom guidelines/expectations and a Parent Letter on Wed. August 29, 2007.    Please read the syllabus and classroom guidelines/expectations.  The Parent Letter is a homework assignment that is due no later than Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007

ADVISORY  STUDENTS

Students in my advisory are EXPECTED to be on time, to watch the BTV announcements and to be working (NOT SLEEPING OR TALKING) during advisory.  Each student has received a planner which he or she is to bring to class EVERY DAY.  If the student loses the planner, then he or she will purchase another one (He or she will be not have a second one given to him or her for free). 

Students earn points daily for Advisory and ALL students must receive at least 80 percent in order to receive credit. Three points may be  earned daily and the point distribution is as follows:

               1 point -- being on time AND having their planner (BOTH MUST TAKE PLACE)

               1 point -- doing homework, reading or making good use of his or her time-- must bring DEAR book if all homework is completed

               1 point -- watching and paying attention to the BTV announcements. (NOT talking or working--announcements take place at  the end of Advisory.       

NOTE:  Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday are travel days whereby students may travel to other teachers for help.  The student must be ON TIME and have a note, in his or her planner, in order to travel.  I DO NOT LISTEN TO THE EXCUSE " The teacher said that I could come to his or her classroom" and the student will not be allowed to travel.

Tuesdays will be devoted to various activities geared to the specific grade level.  Students are to participate or they will not receive any credit (loss of 1 point).