Tests/Quizzes

Most quizzes and all tests are announced in advance.  You should expect some "pop" quizzes of vocabulary/grammar (verb endings, for example) so you must study/review on a daily basis.  If you are absent the day directly preceding a test/quiz do not expect to be exempt from the evaluation!  If you are LEGALLY absent for an exam/quiz/composition, you will have TEN CALENDAR DAYS to make-up the evaluation.  This approximately corresponds to ONE CYCLE.   If you have no other “free” time, you may take the make-up exam during class.  If you are absent for 3 days, you will have 3 days to make-up the exam, etc.  It is in your own best interest to make-up any missed assignments as soon as possible!  The longer you wait, the more distant the instruction.

If you wait longer than TEN DAYS you may not be able to make-up the assignment AT ALL!  It is your responsibility to schedule a make-up assignment.  You will be informed whether you have missed any assignments in your absence, but you will not receive constant reminders. 

IMPORTANT:  Worked missed due to an UNEXCUSED absence cannot be made up and a zero will be recorded for that assignment.  Be sure to keep this in mind should you choose to cut class on the day a homework assignment is checked, an in-class assignment is completed, or an assignment is collected.

Homework

Homework is due at the time it is checked.  You must be prepared for each class with you homework completed.  NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED*!  Do not arrive to class without your homework but armed with excuses about where it is (cafeteria, at home, your printer died . . .).  If you do not have it, you cannot receive credit for it.  Homework is assigned to reinforce structures/concepts.  Once we have gone over an assignment in class we have "moved on" to the next step.

* The only assignments that will be accepted late, for reduced credit, are long-term assignments, such as essays, compositions, or projects.

Participation

Your grade will be partly determined by how much you contribute to class, and how much of those contributions are in Spanish.  Keep in mind that learning a second language means taking risks.   

"What if I say it wrong?", "I'll be so embarrassed!", "She sounds better than me"

None of these statements will make you a better Spanish speaker. Try things out, make mistakes. That's how learning takes place.

Remember: it's tough for everyone at first – It does get easier and more fun once you start using Spanish!

Extra Credit

Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credit to boost their quarterly grade.  The grade system can be very frustrating.  For example: Earning a grade close to a grade cut off (84.4 / 89.4 / 94.4) can leave everyone feeling very disappointed.  Starting this year students may earn small amounts of extra credit so that in the event a student earns a grade close to the cut off, the extra credit will put the grade “over the top”.  Here are the conditions that must be met in order to earn the extra credit:

·        Students may do one extra credit projects each quarter

·        Each extra credit project must be approved for content and scheduled in advance by Sr. Warren.

·        Any extra credit project that needs to be scheduled will be scheduled at Sr. Warren’s discretion.  If no time can be found that works with the class lessons, the student may not have a chance to earn credit.  Schedule early:  First come, first served!

·        Students must submit an extra credit form for Sr. Warren’s signature

·        Each extra credit project can earn up to .5 points added to the final quarter grade (grade is determined before it is rounded off).

·        All extra credit projects must be completed by the penultimate (second to the last) week of the quarter.  No extra credit can be earned after that time.  It is important that students plan ahead and not decide at the last minute that they’ll need some extra credit to raise their grades!

Progress Reports/Interim Reports

Students will be required to keep track of their grades on a special grade sheet/evaluation.  Students will be given a new form at the beginning of each quarter.  Students who do not keep track of their grades or who lose their forms will not receive a homework credit.  At the midpoint of each quarter students will perform a self-evaluation and hand their forms in to Señor Warren who will also evaluate each student.  Students’ grades as of that moment will be calculated as well.  Parents will receive these forms with the hope that the information will allow families the opportunity to discuss our class and the student's progress.  All forms must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to Señor Warren by the deadline (generally students must return their signed forms within 3 days).  Students who do not return their forms will forfeit the homework credit assigned to the form and the parent may be contacted by phone instead.

Extra Help

Students who would like to meet with Señor Warren should make an appointment in advance (to ensure that you will have my undivided attention!).  Señor Warren is generally available most days before/after school, and for several mods during the day.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE A TEST/QUIZ BEFORE SCHEDULING AN EXTRA HELP SESSION!  If you have questions/concerns/doubts please come in for clarification as soon as possible.  Also:  avail yourself of the extra practice and additional explanations on the senorwarren.com website.

 

 

Questions?  Contact Señor Warren

Phone: 914-861-9441 x 243 (voice mail)
email: