En �sta p�gina se incluyen las preguntas m�s frecuentes de estudiantes y padres.

1. If I miss class, where can I find out about homework, etc?
2. How should I be using "Spanish Lab"?
3. What's the best way to memorize all the new words we get in class?
4. How often do we have quizzes and tests?
5. Where is your office and when are your office hours?
6. How do I best review for the exams?
7. How do I write the different accent marks, etc, in my essays?
8. Do you give out extra-credit if I feel I need to gain some?
9. (Spanish III-students) How do I "survive" our reader "Cajas"?
10. What if I'm shy and have a hard time participating in class?
11. "Spanish Lab" - WHERE and WHEN is it?
12. When I write essays, may I have somebody else edit it for me?

If I miss class, where can I find out about homework, etc?

1. You will ALWAYS find homework assignments clearly stated on do�a 
Maria's "homework board" in her classroom.  
2. You can also access homework information under "Tarea" on my web-page.
3. It is always a good idea to check with your compa�ero(a) de clase (study-
buddy) regarding the class you missed.  Make sure to copy missed notes and 
to get any last minute changes in class plans for the next day.

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How should I be using "Spanish Lab"?

"Spanish Lab" is a great resource available to you - use it! There you shall 
find students enrolled in higher level Spanish courses (all members of the 
National Spanish Honors Society) ready to help you, as well as at least one 
of the Spanish Department instructors.  All of us are there to help you 
better understand a new grammatical topic you may find a bit tricky, assist 
you in getting started on an essay, break down a difficult passage in the 
current chaper/story you are reading, or simply provide you with 
conversational practice.  For some students who are experiencing a 
particularly difficult time in my Spanish class, it may be required to 
attend Spanish Lab as part of the strategy plan to help you improve.

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What's the best way to memorize all the new words we get in class?

There are many effective ways to facilitate the memorization of new 
vocabulary.  You may want to try to figure out what type of linguistic 
learner you are - are you a visual learner or do you absorb and learn new 
words easier by hearing them over and over or perhaps writing them in their 
context?  One technique that we will utilize in (and outside of) class is 
using colorful flashcards.  You can find neon-colored blank flashcards at 
most stores - stock up, please.  Use one card per glossary word - the 
Spanish word stated in bold letters on one side and either a simple artistic 
illustration or a simple definition in Spanish on the other side.  Please 
note that it is better to stay away from using English completely when you 
are studying Spanish - in class or at home.  If you have a hard time 
memorizing vocabulary, come see me.  I can help you find a way to work with 
your augmenting vocabulary between classes and prior to quizzes and tests - 
a way that works for YOU.

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How often do we have quizzes and tests?

You will have a quiz every Friday, to sum up the week's new information.  
Tests/exams are already scheduled for the entire semester and are recorded in 
the main Dynacal school test calendar - you will receive your own printed 
list of the exact test dates during our first week of school.  You can also 
find the test (as well as computer lab session-)dates under "Calendario" here 
on the web-page.  Exams tend to fall every 3 to 4 weeks.

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Where is your office and when are your office hours?

My office is U10, right next to Mr. Key's office.  My office hour is every 
Friday during activity block and you will also be able to find me in U5 
during Spanish Lab every other week (day to be determined).  Remember that 
you can always set up a different time with me, should you want to meet with 
me for any reason.

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How do I best review for the exams?

1.  Make sure you always copy in your notes whatever I write on the board.  
Go over the day's notes every night, highlighting the most important info.
2.  Transfer vocabulary and verb conjugations, etc, onto flashcards 
periodically, rather than the night before the exam.  
3.  You will always receive a clear and informative study guide from me 
exactly one week prior to exam date.  Start using this tool early.  If you 
know everything stated on the study guide you will come extremely well 
prepared.  I never include surprises on my exams, but rather stick to the 
topics listed.

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How do I write the different accent marks, etc, in my essays?

You will receive a sheet with the number codes during the first week of 
school.  Please come see me if you did not receive such handout.

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Do you give out extra-credit if I feel I need to gain some?

Sorry, I do not.  You will get plenty of opportunities to show me (and 
yourself) your true linguistic potential in class and through various 
projects and assignments.

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(Spanish III-students) How do I "survive" our reader "Cajas"?

Our Spanish III novel "Cajas de Carton" is a fascinating story once you get 
into it.  The trick is not to force yourself to understand every single word 
in the text.  Read one page, highlight what you think is important, and 
finally make a little bullet point (paraphrsing the important part) in the 
margin.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRANSLATE EACH CHAPTER WORD FOR WORD.  Finally, 
it is crucial to read a little every day rather than cramming in 10 pages 
the night before the discussion and/or Friday quiz.  Remember: "Spanish Lab" 
is always there for you, filled with students who have already read "Cajas" 
and are willing to help you understand a difficult part.

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What if I'm shy and have a hard time participating in class?

I will expect you to try your best slowly improving your participatory 
skills.  After all, successful foreign language acquisition requires that 
you take risks and try your conversational wings.  Please know that it is 
fine (and expected) to make mistakes!  I work very hard to create a warm and 
supportive classroom environment in which you feel more and more confident 
and assured that you do NOT have to speak perfect Spanish in order to 
contribute.

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"Spanish Lab" - WHERE and WHEN is it?

The two week days will be determined ASAP.  We meet during activity block in 
U5 on those two days.

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When I write essays, may I have somebody else edit it for me?

You may have somebody take a look at your essay and circle your mistakes and 
let you, yourself, correct them rather than correcting them FOR you.  You 
learn nothing form having somebody simply supplying you with the correct 
word or structure.  I have as a rule that you hand in the first un-edited 
draft along with your finished essay, so that I can see your improvement 
during the process of working on your paper. I will know your written 
ability very early in the semester, thus I will easily be able to determine 
if you have turned in a version edited and corrected by somebody else (which 
will result in a severe deduction in overall points.)

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