Attendance and Grading Policy

I take attendance daily.  Since the majority of your grade is based on participation in class activities (in Spanish), attendance is vital. 
  • The class grade is negatively affected after one absence in classes which meet only one day a week.  Missing one day is really the equivalent of missing three one-hour classes!  In language classes attendance is critical since the material builds on earlier lessons.  It is extremely difficult to "catch-up" in a language class.
  • Since late arrivals are disruptive, please make every effort to arrive a few minutes early.
You are responsible for reading the assigned pages of the text - which includes taking notes of grammar points, writing down any questions you may have and writing out the related exercises from the textbook.  It is helpful to read the dialogues and articles out loud.  The textbook and the website provide detailed explanations of the grammar, so I will not be teaching grammar in the classroom: rather, I will review the grammar points with all of you, pointing out anything extra not included in the text.   Then you will practice using the grammar in class activities.
  • The homework and studying prepares you to participate fully in class activities.  If you aren't  prepared, I have nothing to grade you on for class participation, pronunciation and group contributions.
You'll need a notebook for all of your notes (class and text), homework and projects.  All of your notes and handouts will be helpful when preparing for oral presentations. Please keep your notes and all returned work. They are great for reviewing and studying.  Also, they serve as a record of your grade.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to go to the website http://www.drlemon.com/Spanish121A.html, and check the Tarea [Homework] and Horario [class schedule] pages.  Otherwise, contact a classmate and find out what we did and what, if any, assignments are due so you can come prepared the day you return to class.
  • Students caught cheating on exams or other class projects (plagarizing, copying, soliciting answers, cheatsheets of any form, etc.) will be dropped from the course with a formal report to the Dean of Students.

Grading Policy

I will be evaluating class assignments/projects, performance on partner and group tasks, oral interviews, attendance (incl. arriving and leaving on time), being prepared for class, and active use of Spanish in class.
 
A = 100-90% B = 89-80% C = 79=70% D = 69=60% F = 59-0%
Computer use:
Computers in the classroom are to be used for class activities as directed by the instructor.  Inappropriate use of computers, including Instant Messaging, chatrooms, email, games, unrelated web-pages etc., will result in a zero for class participation and possible reports filed with department deans.
  • Cell phones and/or pagers must be turned off in the classroom during class.
  • Use of cell phones and/or pagers is not permitted.
Spanish 121A outline
Copyright © 2000 Deborah R. Lemon. All rights reserved.
Last Updated July 2005