To contact me,

E-mail: cscheuer@omosschool.com

 

 

Jr. High Information

 Welcome to Jr. High Spanish!

      I use a methodology called TPRS (Total Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling).  This methodology emphasizes comprehensible input through storytelling, questioning, and personalization, allowing the students the opportunity to acquire the language naturally, rather than trying to learn through a traditional, grammar-based method. (For more information on this method, please go to www.Tprstories.com). This methodology is used at Salpointe, so it will be a good transition to high school for some of the students.  As such, some of the stories you may hear them tell may be a little crazy, but crazy tends to stick in the brain!  

     I believe learning a language is not just words but culture.  Throughout the year, we will be studying some of the interesting aspects of the cultures of the 20 different countries that speak Spanish.  If you have materials or information about a specific celebration that you would like to share with me or come in and share with the students, I would be more than happy to let you do this!  Contact me at cscheuer@omosschool.com.

      

Books:

· We will be using series called “Cuéntame Más” only as a guideline for creating our own stories.  The students will NOT need to buy this book. 

·  We will also be reading a small novel, in class, called “Los Piratas del Caribe y el Mapa Secreto.”  I have the book and it will be kept in the classroom.  The novel is full of cognates and is meant for beginning Spanish students.  We will be reading and discussing it in class.  It does not need to go home.

 

Materials:

· Students will need a 1.5” three-ring binder, 4 divider sheets and loose leaf paper.  We’ll put the binders together in class next week. 

· Pen or pencil

· Enthusiasm

 

Grading:

  Participation:   each class will be worth 10 points.  I will give the students 8 (effectively starting them at average, or “C” level). The students must earn the other two points.

·  1 pt. for “passive” participation:  coming to class with all materials, facing forward, listening, not doing other homework, etc.  I will give any student a warning.  If they continue disrupting, they will lose that point.

· 1 pt. for “active” participation:  This is for doing the gestures, responding to questions or choral responses, acting in stories and being truly involved in the classroom activities. 

     Any time I take away a point, I will attach a note next to the grade in Renweb so that you, as parents, know what is going on.  If it gets to a point where the student lost both points for the day, I will have a talk with the student and let you know so we can work together to solve the problem. 

 

2.  Quizzes:  We will have unannounced quizzes. These quizzes will only occur after I am sure that they have acquired the vocabulary.  I believe in unannounced quizzes because I want to make sure that the students truly know the vocabulary, rather than just cramming it in for a test.

 

3.  In-class activities, projects, etc: These will be graded on a per activity basis, but will not be over 20 pts. 

 

I will try my best to have pertinent vocabulary, links, etc. on my web page on a weekly basis.  Don’t check it until Sunday night!  This way, you can keep up with what they are doing and can practice with them. 

 

If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at  cscheuer@omosschool.com.  I’m the crossing guard in the morning and afternoon, so this is not a good time to discuss any questions!  Email is the best way.  Many problems can be solved by just an email message.  My goal is NOT to flunk your child or make this class difficult.  I expect effort, not perfection. 

 

I hope your child enjoys Spanish this year!

Mrs. Scheuer

Spanish