Thomas Edison High School
2016-2017
Spanish 2
Instructor: Marni Ginther
Room 111
651-269-0834
[email protected]
edison.mpls.k12.mn.us/marni_ginther
I will make every effort to respond to student and family communication within 24 hours.
Course Description
First and foremost, Spanish 2 is a community. I want to get to know you, and I want you to get to know
me. If we work together, this class will be so much richer, useful, and more exciting than if we work
alone. In Spanish 2 you will strengthen and build upon the knowledge and skills you acquired in Spanish
1. This will include understanding of grammatical structures, expanding your vocabulary, learning about a
wide variety of Spanish-speaking cultures and of course, speaking Spanish and making mistakes. If you
are making mistakes in Spanish, it means you are learning!
Course Objectives
Our formative assessments and summative assessments in this class will help you meet specific learning
targets that relate to the following MYP language acquisition assessment criterion:
A) Comprehending spoken and visual text (Listening)
B) Comprehending written and visual text (Reading)
C) Communicating in response to spoken, written and visual text (Interpersonal communication)
D) Using language in spoken and written form (Presentational communication)
Overview of Units
As an IB World School, our units are organized around “inquiry questions” which help focus learning,
develop curiosity, and promote critical thinking. Some of the units and inquiry questions we will study in
this class include:
Unit
Inquiry Questions
Global Context
Assessment
School in the
Spanish-Speaking
World
What is school like in other countries?
How is it different from mine? Are there
advantages / disadvantages to each?
Identities &
Relationships
Presentation in Spanish
about my school to “pen
pals” in Spain
(Criterion D)
Food and Cooking
What are traditional foods in Spanishspeaking cultures? How is food related
to culture?
Personal &
Cultural
Expression
Read and follow a recipe
in Spanish.
(Criterion B)
Public Health
Concerns in the
Spanish-speaking
World
How does my personal health relate to
the health of the larger community? Do
other countries have similar public
health concerns as the U.S.?
Globalization &
Sustainability
Oral interview with Profe
about a public health
concern I have
researched
(Criterion C)
Materials
- Writing utensil
- Class binder
Grading
Your Grade
Formative Assessments 20%
 Homework
 Binder checks
 Exit slips
 Warm-ups
 Class participation
 Reassessments not allowed**
Formative
Assessments
20%
Summative
Assessments
80%
Grading Scale
A
above 90 %
A87 – 90 %
B+
83 – 87 %
B
79 – 83 %
B75 – 79 %
C+
71 – 75 %
C
67 – 71 %
C63 – 67 %
D+
59 – 63 %
D
55 – 59 %
D50 – 55 %
F
0 – 50 %
Summative Assessments 80%
 Tests
 Quizzes
 Projects
 Papers
 Reassessments allowed
Score
Approximate
letter grade
Description
7-8
A
Got it and more
5-6
B
Got it
3-4
C
Kinda got it
1-2
D
Don’t get it
0
F
Didn’t do it
Homework
You will have weekly homework assignments and binder checks every other week. If these items are not
completed on time, you can make up the work so you learn the material, but you will not receive credit.
**The exception is if a parent or guardian emails or calls me.
Academic Honesty Policy
The work you hand in should be YOUR work. If you use quotes or ideas from other people, cite them! We
will work on how to properly cite sources in class. If you aren’t sure whether to cite, just ask! If you hand
in work that is not yours, or that is not properly cited, you will have to re-do the work. Please refer to the
Thomas Edison Student Handbook for school-wide policy.
Passes
Hall passes are for short trips, like the bathroom or your locker. No passes the first 10 minutes or last 10
minutes of class. If you want a pass to the media center, counselor, or something that takes longer, you
have to ask me to fill one out.
Property and materials
Profe’s desk is Profe’s space! If you want to use something, ask. If you borrow something, take care of it
and return it. The books, laptops, iPads, and supplies we use in class belong to everyone. Respect them.
Attendance and Tardy Policy
Refer to the Student Handbook for school-wide policies. THE BOTTOM LINE: Class time = learning. The
more you’re here, and the more you’re on time, the more you learn, and the less you have to try and
make up work at the end of the quarter. Please refer to the Thomas Edison Student Handbook for schoolwide policy.


If you arrive tardy to class, sign in and find your place quietly and respectfully.
Tardy 5 times? I call home. Tardy 8 times? I email the deans.
If you are absent, you can and should make up your missed work. Even if you can’t get those
points back, that material will likely be on the next test or quiz! The exception to this is if I get an
email or phone call from your parent or guardian with the reason that you were absent.
Mobile Devices
You may not use mobile devices in class. Once in a while, I’ll let you know if you can listen to music or use
them for Kahoot.
 If you have it out when you aren’t supposed to: 1) Warning 2) I keep it until class ends 3) Further
problems will result in calling the deans and a potential referral.
 If you want to charge your phone: 1) Silence it. 2) Plug it in at Profe’s desk until the end of class.
3) Plugging it in anywhere else means I give it to the deans.
Behavior Intervention
It’s all about respect. Respect each other. Respect the teacher. Respect the learning. Respect the space
and materials. If you’re having a hard day, or if you’re having trouble with these ideas, here are some
things that might happen:
 You and I have a quick talk about what will help you stay focused and respectful.
 You spend some time in another classroom to cool down or focus on your work.
 You get a new seat.
 We have a talk with the deans, with a potential referral
IB Learner Profile
Learner Profile
Trait
Inquirers
Definition
Knowledgeable
I strive to learn more about my community and the world. I can show
what I know in different situations and subjects.
Thinkers
I think deeply before making a decision and taking action.
Communicators
I like to share my ideas. I can cooperate well with others. I communicate
well in different ways and languages.
Principled
I am fair and respectful to others. I take responsibility for my own actions.
Open-minded
I respect others. I strive to learn more and understand diversity. I
appreciate my own culture and other cultures.
Caring
I respect others and strive to understand and help them. I care about my
community and take action to make it better.
Risk-takers
I am brave. I am willing to try something new. I am not afraid to learn
new things.
Balanced
I balance life and school. I know how to use my time wisely to prepare
myself for the future. I am active and take care of myself.
Reflective
I look back at my work and actions to understand how I am progressing
and make improvements.
Tenacious
I keep trying until I get it right. I don’t give up, even when the going gets
tough.
I love to learn new skills and new ideas. I like to ask questions to learn
more.
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