Italian III Lv. 1: Course Description and Expectations 2001-2002

Mr. Shadbegian Room 612

Email: dshadbegian@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us

I. TEXTBOOKS

Prego!: Capitolo 13-18

II. MATERIALS

REQUIRED: Notebook, Pens, Pencils, Textbooks, Cassette Tape (60 min.)

SUGGESTED: Italian dictionary

III. QUARTERLY GRADING

Tests...................................40%

Quizzes...............................30%

Listening/Speaking.............30% (includes Oral Exams, Participation, Listening Comprehension Quizzes)*

*Oral exams count twice, Participation counts twice, Listening comprehension quizzes count once.)

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

HOMEWORK (posted on the Internet: http://notes.lexingtonma.org) -it is counted toward your final quarterly average. All homework and classwork assignments must be written neatly. They must also be written in blue or black ink. All assignments are to be handed in the day they are due, otherwise you will receive a zero for that assignment. Be careful!! For each incomplete or missing assignment you will lose one point from your quarterly average! Class and homework assignments will be collected and given a quiz grade on a random basis. Students not handing in an assignment will receive a zero for a quiz grade!!!! Be prepared!

TESTS/QUIZZES-Tests will be announced at least one full day before they are given and quizzes will take place at any time based upon materials that were to be prepared for that class. Cheating on a test or quiz will automatically result in a failure. Exam and quiz announcements will be written on the front whiteboard and are posted on the homework website as well. A quarterly project counted as a test written in Italian will be required.

NOTEBOOKS-Make sure you take notes on the material presented in class. Some of the material presented may not be in your textbooks. Your notebooks may be collected on a random basis for a quiz grade.

CLASS PARTICIPATION-Since there will be conversations, dialogues and exercises, everyone will be expected to participate during classtime. It is also very important that you listen to your classmates as they speak during instruction. The factors that determine this grade are usage of Italian the frequency of participation and the ability to listen to others. You will be graded on your participation in the Language Lab as well.

ORAL EXAMS/LISTENING COMP. QUIZZES-At least one will be given each quarter.

FINAL EXAM: Will count 20% of your yearly average.

V. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course builds on previously learned skills of understanding, speaking, reading and writing Italian. The vocabulary which is reviewed and introduced will cover such topics as the arts and drama, politics, the work force, driving, the environment and multicultural society. Students will be required to utilize these topics to write creative dialogues and compositions. Grammatically, students will continue to express themselves in past, present and future situations, using the tenses learned in Italian I and Italian II. To express more abstract situations, the subjunctive will be studied. Selections from Italian literature will be studied. There will be weekly work in the language lab.

VI. OTHER...

1. Attendance: Please read the LHS Student Handbook regarding the school's attendance policy. It reads in part: " Students must be in attendance for a minimum of 75% of class time in order to receive a passing grade for a given marking period in any course at Lexington High School.....Students whose attendance falls below the 75% of the scheduled class time will receive an 'F' for the marking period pending appeal." The handbook states that the principal may approve routine waivers not requiring appeal if the absences were due to certain reasons. Read your handbook for the specifics.

2. Promptness: You will be given a half-hour detention for being late for class. You will be reported to your building administrator for repeated or habitual tardiness.

3. Responsibility: Please see me to make up any missing tests, quizzes or assignments. You will be required to do any make-up work within a certain time frame. For example, if you are absent on a test day, you will have up to 5 days to make it up. For homework assignments, you will have up to two days from your return from absence. Any work not made up within the specified time frame will be given a zero. You will not be able to make up any work from unexcused class absences.

4. Behavior: To maintain a positive classroom environment, raise your hand if you want to answer or ask a question. Speaking out of turn, chewing gum and writing on desks are not allowed. You will be given detention for violating these rules and all the other regulations at Lexington High School. Please read your LHS Student Handbook for more information.

5. Missing materials: For each time you do not bring materials (texts, pens, notebooks) to class, you will lose one-half (1/2) point from your quarterly average so please don't forget them!

6. Extra Help: If you are having difficulty, please see me for extra help. Try to let me know at least one full day in advance you are coming and we can schedule a time when to get together. I am available for extra help before and after school or if we have a mutually free block. When you come to see me, I will be in room 612. You may also reach me in the Staff Room (H121) downstairs.

Buona Fortuna! Best of Luck for a Most Successful Year!!