Guidelines/Stuff you should know:

1. Guidelines/Stuff you should know: • FYI; • The Do’s nd Don’ts; • ***Did anyone bring popcorn?***

2. Welcome to Spanish class! • I am Mr. Martinez, your Spanish Teacher.

3. In order to succeed in this class starting today: • Memorize: • 6-7 vocabulary words/verb conjugations per day; • This is not a blow-off class; if you do not study 15-20 minutes a day outside of class, you will not likely pass.

4. In summary: • Study outside of class at least 15-20 minutes a day. If you do not have time or are unwilling to make time, you will probably not pass.

5. Basic rules: • Please do not read AR books or other non-Spanish material during class.

6. 5 minutes prior to the end of class: • Take textbooks to the bookshelf; • Clear any trash on or around your desk;

7. Learning Spanish: 50/50 • Success in Spanish has 2 parts; • 1. You; • 2. And me! • I do my 50%; • You do your 50% • 50/50

8. Restroom Privileges: Please go to the restroombefore class begins: You will not be allowed to go after the bell rings for any reason whatsoever! So please do not ask.

9. The “Please Do’s”: • Raise your hand if you have a question or comment • Please do not interrupt;

10. After you are called on: • Be sure that your question or comment relates to the material; no off-subject questions, please.

11. If you arrive LATE to class: • Enter the room quietly if you arrive late; • Do not speak to anyone or answer anyone who speaks to you;

12. Backpacks/Purses/Bags: • Need to be kept CLOSED and on thefloor; no exceptions. • The same goes for backpacks as well.;

13. Cell Phones • All cell phones must be turned off or on vibrate; do not forget!!! • Do not cough if your cell phone goes off or if someone else’s cell phone rings. • Do not access your cell phone during class; keep it put up.

14. Stay in your seat!!! • Please remain in your seat; • Do not get out of your seat to throw something away or borrow materials from a friend; • Throw trash out at the end of class;

15. Books and other materials • When it is almost time to be dismissed, please return textbooks, dictionaries, verb guides and workbooks to their respective shelf space. • We will not leave the classroom until all books are on the shelf and all papers are off the floor. Gracias

16. If you percieve that you were treated unfairly or not given due attention, or have a problem with your grade; please come see Mr. Martinez at the end of class. Do not create drama just to get attention for yourself;

17. The “Please Don’ts” • Do not sit on the desktops; • Do not play with paper; • Do not leave paper balls on the floor or spitwads on the wall; • Do not change or move seats without teacher approval;

18. The right way: Being polite goes a long way and shows that your are oh-so-much higher up on the food chain. **Distinguish yourself!** The wrong way: Don’t be immature; Don’t lose control or get “tacky.” Don’t make a fool of yourself! Being verbally abusive to anyone including Mr. Martinez is not acceptable; Using your best social skills:

19. Remember…. • There are consequences for bad choices

20. Arguing, rude behavior and taking up class time will result in…. • 1st Offense: Verbal Warning; • 2nd Offense: Detention; • 3rd Offense: Involves your parents either by phone or in person and/or an email to your Coach

21. What to do when the bell rings • Have your Vocab sheet and a writing instrument ready • Make sure you are in your assigned seat

22. Please do not ask to leave class! • “Why not?” • -It’s disruptive; • -You may lose valuable learning; • -It can lead to: mischief

23. Reasons previous students tried to get out of Spanish Class: • They wanted to work on AR or FCLA projects, or study for a Chemistry test; (during my class time? Hello!!!!!) • They wanted to visit Mrs. Wenger, Mrs. Hebert or their favorite Coach; • They wanted to take or sell drugs in the bathroom; • They wanted to groom themselves (especially on Pep Rally Day); • They wanted to make a phone call from their cell phone or initiate/respond to a text message; • They had a “snack attack”, were thirsty, wanted chocolate, etc.

24. Reasons past students wanted to get out of Spanish Class: part 2 • They were bored; • They felt that what we were doing in Spanish that day wasn’t worthwhile; • They didn’t feel like learning Spanish that day; • They wanted to see their girlfriend/boyfriend in the library or hallway; • They simply didn’t care for Spanish and looked for any and all excuses to get out of class; • They “forgot” something in another class and needed to retrieve it; (this was a favorite) • They needed to turn something in to Mrs. Wright

25. Bottom Line: • Don’t try any of these in my class!

26. If you are in a time crunch • If you don’t have time for grooming, eating, making calls, studying for your Biology test, etc, it is unfortunate; but you will need to • Learn to manage your time!!! • (It will help you now and forever) • If you feel overscheduled, you may need to sacrifice a few activities; • i.e., give up your Wii, your all-night Internet surfing, talking on the phone for hours, volunteer activities, watching TV, etc.

27. -Set aside 2 hours every evening for study (all your subjects); -Limit the time you spend on the phone; your boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend probably needs to study too! -Get up half an hour earlier to do your hair, makeup, and eat well. Go to bed by 10:00 or earlier Get up earlier and eat a decent breakfast; How can I better manage my time? Some helpful suggestions:

28. A note from Mr. McKamy or Mrs. Payne excusing you; A note written by Mrs. Blackstone or Mrs. Talley written on District stationery; A note from a Coach or another Teacher excusing you for an urgentreason: You may leave class if you provide the following:

29. In Summary: • Mrs. Payne, Mr. McKamy or your parents are authorized to take you out of class;

30. What to do: Be honest; Be cool; not hot-headed; Calmly explain. For example: “I’m so upset today. “My cat Fluffie died.” What NOT to do: Come in with an attitude; Slam books or engage in disruptive behavior; Start a fight with a teacher or student; Make tacky or rude remarks; Sometimes we all have a bad day;

31. Pop Quizzes and Agenda Changes: • Change is a fact of life; (although sometimes we aren’t ready for it). • Stay prepared! • Above all, be flexible.

32. Mr. Martinez reserves the right to do the following: (Heads up) • Administer “pop quizzes” at any time; • He also will change the agenda and study guidelines if it provides for enhanced learning; • Be prepared to shift gears often!

33. Food, drink, and gum: • Please do not bring food to class; if it is visible it will be confiscated; • This applies to fundraising food products as well; selling food in class must be first authorized by Mr. Martinez and must not disrupt class learning. • Bottom line: Keep your food out of sight and unopened. If I see it, it’s mine! • ***Exception: Special days specified by Mr. Martinez.

34. Other illegal items… • DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING INTO MY CLASS: • Cameras; • Ipods; MP3 players, headphones, bluetooth, • Gameboys • Cellphones not on vibrate mode • Laser pens or lights

35. Failure to come to class with writing materials, paper, etc. over time, will result in a reduced participation grade and a Detention on the third offense.

36. We have two types of work: • Group work (skits, grammar exercises, crossword puzzles, problem-solving, etc) • And….. • Independent work. Most of the time you need to be doing your own work.

37. Doing assignments alone • Yes, you understood correctly. You must work independently. That means not asking your friend what he or she got for question #4. • ***You can ask Mr. Martinez for help; it’s what they pay me for*** (Your parents’ tax dollars at work). • Once again, no talking during in-classassignments. Thank you.

38. Sexual Harrassment • When writing stories or creating skits, it is expected that you maintain a certain decorum; that means: • NO vulgar language or gestures, sexual references, references to illegal or immoral activities. Legally speaking, an offended student can sue your parents and the school district.

39. Other forms of harrassment: • Racial jokes or slurs; • Referring to select body parts; • Slandering;

40. Are you an attention-seeker? • If you love to bask in the spotlight and be the center of attention, then sign up for our Theatre class; they would love to have you. There is no time for this in Spanish class. • If you are overly insecure and/or have an excessive need for attention, please resolve this with the counselor or through an extracurricular activity; no showing off in Spanish! It isn’t “all about you”

41. Test Day • A few students make a career of being absent on test day; and for you offenders, here goes: • Guess what? If your absence is unexcused, your make-up test will be 40% longer and at least 30% more difficult!

42. Test Day part 2 • If you suffer from test anxiety, seek help from the counselor; she can give you some tips; talk to your parents, your doctor too; they can help; • Ask yourself: what’s the worst that can happen? • Please do not use this as an excuse to postpone the test;

43. Guidelines for staying out of trouble: • Followdirections!!!!!!!! • Learn from your mistakes and use a better strategy in the future; • Treat other people as you would want to be treated.

44. On Quiz Day • Don’t get mad at me on Quiz day because you didn’t study or didn’t understand the material. I am usually available for a few minutes before school and even more time after school. If you take advantage of my help you won’t be so angry on test day!!!!!!!!!!