PHILOSOPHY:
Language is our connection to the world and its surroundings. The ability
to communicate in another language increases our opportunities to interact
with people and understand other cultures.
CURRICULUM INFORMATION AND STANDARDS:
Checkpoint A study of languages other than English is the beginning of the
curriculum and is a graduation requirement for students in New York State.
Checkpoint A emphasizes simple, selected sentence structures, sets the stage
for oral and written communication, fosters cultural understanding, includes
age-appropriate communicative activities that addresses the particular needs
and interests of middle schoolers, encourages interdisciplinary connections
and is the first step on the pathway to linguistic proficiency.
This is an introductory-level curriculum that will lay the groundwork for
the future.
Standard 1: Students will be able to use a language other than English for
communication.
Standard 2: Students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings.
Goals of Second Language Department:
• To use a second language in meaningful everyday situations.
• To communicate across cultures and to appreciate global cultures.
• To connect with other disciplines in other academic and special
areas.
• To develop problem solving and creative thinking skills.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
1. Get to class on time. If you are late and do not have a valid excuse,
you will make up the time. Be sure to sit in your assigned seat by the
second bell and be ready to work. Courtesy and good manners are expected at
all times.
2. Speak in as much of the second language as possible. Do not worry about
your pronunciation. Everyone is learning. I will help you, but please … NO
GUM CHEWING or EATING CANDY! You cannot learn to pronounce a new language
if there are “foreign” objects in your mouth!
3. Listen, listen, listen! Everything will be repeated several times. If
you are not speaking, you need to listen and repeat words and phrases to
yourself. Learning a second language takes practice and patience.
Memorization is one of the keys to success.
HOMEWORK POLICY:
Homework will be assigned and will be explained in class. The assignment
may be to practice what we learned in class, write exercises or a paragraph,
or prepare an oral activity. The homework will be posted on the homework
board as well as on homework hotline, www.yorktown.org, every night, so
there is no excuse for not getting the assignment. Please take your books
home and do your homework so you are prepared for the next class. Each
homework is worth five points. If you do not have the homework, you receive
a zero for that assignment unless you make it up the next day for half
credit. At the end of the quarter, your homework grade is a test grade. We
will go over the homework in class and you will correct your errors so that
you learn from them.
HOMEWORK TIPS:
1. Set up a study area at home. Try to use an area that allows you to
spread out your work and is not too noisy.
2. Schedule a daily homework time at home. Try to set up a time that works
for you. You may like to complete homework immediately after-school or wait
a little while.
3. Create a homework survival kit. Try to have materials like pens,
pencils, glue, tape, dictionary, calculator, etc. available in your study
area.
4. Write, write, write. If you are having trouble memorizing something,
write it out several times to help you remember it.
ABSENCES:
All homework, tests and quizzes must be made up within one week if you are
absent for any reason. If you are scheduled for another school activity,
you must see me first so I may take attendance, check your homework from the
night before and give you the current homework assignment. Making up your
work is your responsibility.
TESTS & QUIZZES:
Tests and quizzes will be verbal and written and will be announced. Each
quiz will count once in the quarter grade and tests will count twice.
Remember, your homework grade counts as a test grade.
QUARTER GRADE:
Your quarter grade will consist of homework, quizzes, tests, class
participation, projects, effort and attitude and being prepared for class on
a regular basis. There will be no extra credit.
You are now in a course from which you may possibly earn a high school
credit. The high school course grade will be computed by averaging the
grades from Italian 7 and 8 and the Proficiency Exam. It will then appear
on the high school transcript as “Second Language 9 (MESMS)” as the student
will have received one high school credit by passing the State Proficiency
Exam. This course grade will be computed into the high school GPA. It is
very important that you keep up to date. You need a strong foundation in
order to progress. Everyone learns at a different pace. Just do the best
you can!
