Contact Info:
Phone: (859) 331-6333 x 205 Email: [email protected] Class Schedule Mondays and Wednesdays: 2M 8:15-8:55 am 1Z 9:00-9:40 am 3L 9:45-10:25 am 5K 12:05-12:45 pm 4W 12:50-1:30 pm Thursdays 6th graders (new to Villa) 12:05-12:45pm Basic Classroom Expectations Be respectful Be responsible Be ready to learn Remind 101 For important information and updates, please subscribe to my Remind101 account for your child's class. 1: Text @kreft1z to 81010 2: Text @kreft2m to 81010 3: Text @kreft3L to 81010 4: Text @kreft4w to 81010 5: Text @kreft5k to 81010 6: Text @kreft6th to 81010 You will also be able to see these messages at the bottom of your child's group page. |
¡Bienvenidos! This is your resource for all things related to Spanish with Señora Kreft at Villa Madonna Academy!
Spanish is an interactive language, and as such we will be engaging our minds in various ways. We will be focusing on a communicative approach to learning Spanish this year. This process provides students with regular exposure to the language and encourages them to engage with Spanish in more authentic ways. Check here for updates on assignments, worksheets, homework, helpful resources, and much more! About Señora Kreft: I am so excited to be working with you this school year! Spanish has always been exciting for me, so I turned my love of Spanish and my passion for teaching into a career. I graduated from Boone County High School and from Transylvania University with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Spanish. During my time at Transy, I studied abroad for two weeks in Peru and a semester in Segovia, Spain. Recently, I spent another semester living in Madrid, Spain working on my Master's degree. This is my third year at VMA. I love this community and our students! I am so blessed to be a part of the Villa family. My husband, Kevin, also teaches Spanish (at a different school). We have a mischievous maltese, Oso. We also have a new baby, Stella! She was born last school year. We have a lot of fun together! |
Classroom Procedures
Class begins promptly at the scheduled time. All students should be seated and have their homework ready to be checked or turn in. If there is work on the board, you should begin it quietly. Bring all necessary materials with you!
You may not leave the classroom during Spanish class unless it is a true emergency. Visit the restroom or the drinking fountain on your way to or from class. Because you are not in Spanish for hours each day, we want to maximize our learning. If you leave the room, you will miss something!
The teacher will dismiss class each day. When the teacher announces that class is over, students should pack up their things quietly, check their work area for cleanliness and form a straight and quiet line in order to leave. Students will not be permitted to leave the room until all expectations are met.
Attendance
Regular attendance at school is expected and required. Absence from class will hurt your grade because you will miss class participation points and valuable class material. Ask in advance for homework assignments before a planned absence, such as a family trip.
It is also important that you arrive to Spanish class on time. Please do not stop by the bathroom without permission or lag behind your classmates during transition. We have very limited time during your scheduled Spanish class; please do not waste it.
Missed work: Students who are out for any reason, except an extended illness, must have all work completed and handed in to the teacher within the time specified by the teacher. Students and parents are encouraged to check this website for homework information and due dates. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, you may request homework to be picked up at the main office. It is the student's responsibility to find out what assignments and work was missed.
In Spanish class, there is a file stand where students can find the work that they missed while absent. It says "No estaba aqui... Que necesito?" and it will have a folder for each grade level. Students should check there first for any work they missed. I will put it in the folder at the end of each day, and it will have his/her name on it.
Homework and Late work
Expect homework regularly. Just as you can't become skilled at sports without practice, you cannot become good at Spanish without it either. Homework is meant to practice new skills and incorporate old ones.
Assignments are due WHEN CLASS BEGINS.
Homework is graded for points, completion or for participation points.
It is your responsibility to find out the homework assignment following an absence. Please see above for more information.
Websites- There are many sites available for homework help when studying a language. Please see "Links and Homework Help" for a list of sources
LATE WORK: In grades K-3, if you forget to complete an assignment, you may turn it in the next time we have class, up to two days late. For example, if we have class on Mondays and Wednesday and you are assigned homework on Monday but you forget to complete it for Wednesday, you may turn it in either the next Monday or Wednesday. Otherwise, it will not be accepted.
In grades 4, 5 and 6, the grade will be lowered 10% for assignments that are one day late and 20% for
assignments that are two days late. A zero will be given for all assignments more than two days late.
In grades 4, 5 and 6, long term assignments must be turned in on the due date or before. No excuses will be accepted.
These rules are in place to help promote student responsibility and accountability.
Academic Integrity and Internet Translators
"Academic dishonesty is termed as any deliberate act(s) that allow a student to gain an unfair advantage on any school assignment"
Students MAY NOT use online translation machines for any assignment. There are several legitimate dictionary type sites that will provide any information that you seek. These websites are to be used as you would use a dictionary: to look up one word at a time. They will only create problems if you try to use them for phrases. This is a non-negotiable rule. Any student who uses a translation machine on ANY assignment will receive a zero (0). Using translation machines do not help the students learn to utilize their language or vocabulary skills and encourage them to rely on outside machines rather than their own knowledge.
Approved sites are as follows:
Tests and Quizzes
Tests are given at regular intervals throughout the year. Some will be written exams, others will be performance-based.
Sometimes there will be pop quizzes, so it is best if you start working right away on learning your vocabulary words.
You need to make up both tests and quizzes upon returning from an absence. Missing one day does not excuse you from taking either a test or a quiz. You will at least one week in advance for Unit Assessments, and at least two days in advance for quizzes.
Class Participation
It is required that you participate in class. I keep track of participation and it becomes part of your grade. It usually ends up being approximately 30% of your grade.
Getting Help
Help is available for those who want it. You need to be willing to work hard and you can be successful. The following are a list of opportunities available to those students needing extra help.
Extra Credit
There are few opportunities for extra credit in class. I will not give extra credit just because you need more points when you are not doing your regular class work. The following list includes some extra credit opportunities available to you.
Grades
Grades are earned based on classwork, homework, quizzes/tests and participation. Your grade will be based on the total number of points earned from the total points possible (cumulative). Your grade will posted regularly so that you know where you stand.
Report cards are sent home at the end of each trimester. Parent-teacher-student conferences will be held at the end of the first trimester and at other times deemed appropriate for all to discuss the student's development. Please feel free to arrange a meeting for any reason.
GRADING SCALE
Grades K-3: Teachers will report students' progress through a skills based report.
-Independent (IN): Exhibits a mastery of the skill and behavior
-Developing (DV): Progressions towards mastery of the skill and behavior
-Needs Improvement (N): Reinforcement and improvement needed for skill and behavior
-Not Applicable (NA): Skill has not yet been introduced
Grades 4-6: Students will earn grades based upon a traditional model
A+ = 100 A = 99-94 A- =93
B+ = 92 B = 91-86 B - = 85
C+ = 84 C = 83-76 C- = 75
D+ = 74 D = 73-71 D- = 70
F= below 70
Class begins promptly at the scheduled time. All students should be seated and have their homework ready to be checked or turn in. If there is work on the board, you should begin it quietly. Bring all necessary materials with you!
You may not leave the classroom during Spanish class unless it is a true emergency. Visit the restroom or the drinking fountain on your way to or from class. Because you are not in Spanish for hours each day, we want to maximize our learning. If you leave the room, you will miss something!
The teacher will dismiss class each day. When the teacher announces that class is over, students should pack up their things quietly, check their work area for cleanliness and form a straight and quiet line in order to leave. Students will not be permitted to leave the room until all expectations are met.
Attendance
Regular attendance at school is expected and required. Absence from class will hurt your grade because you will miss class participation points and valuable class material. Ask in advance for homework assignments before a planned absence, such as a family trip.
It is also important that you arrive to Spanish class on time. Please do not stop by the bathroom without permission or lag behind your classmates during transition. We have very limited time during your scheduled Spanish class; please do not waste it.
Missed work: Students who are out for any reason, except an extended illness, must have all work completed and handed in to the teacher within the time specified by the teacher. Students and parents are encouraged to check this website for homework information and due dates. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, you may request homework to be picked up at the main office. It is the student's responsibility to find out what assignments and work was missed.
In Spanish class, there is a file stand where students can find the work that they missed while absent. It says "No estaba aqui... Que necesito?" and it will have a folder for each grade level. Students should check there first for any work they missed. I will put it in the folder at the end of each day, and it will have his/her name on it.
Homework and Late work
Expect homework regularly. Just as you can't become skilled at sports without practice, you cannot become good at Spanish without it either. Homework is meant to practice new skills and incorporate old ones.
Assignments are due WHEN CLASS BEGINS.
Homework is graded for points, completion or for participation points.
It is your responsibility to find out the homework assignment following an absence. Please see above for more information.
Websites- There are many sites available for homework help when studying a language. Please see "Links and Homework Help" for a list of sources
LATE WORK: In grades K-3, if you forget to complete an assignment, you may turn it in the next time we have class, up to two days late. For example, if we have class on Mondays and Wednesday and you are assigned homework on Monday but you forget to complete it for Wednesday, you may turn it in either the next Monday or Wednesday. Otherwise, it will not be accepted.
In grades 4, 5 and 6, the grade will be lowered 10% for assignments that are one day late and 20% for
assignments that are two days late. A zero will be given for all assignments more than two days late.
In grades 4, 5 and 6, long term assignments must be turned in on the due date or before. No excuses will be accepted.
These rules are in place to help promote student responsibility and accountability.
Academic Integrity and Internet Translators
"Academic dishonesty is termed as any deliberate act(s) that allow a student to gain an unfair advantage on any school assignment"
Students MAY NOT use online translation machines for any assignment. There are several legitimate dictionary type sites that will provide any information that you seek. These websites are to be used as you would use a dictionary: to look up one word at a time. They will only create problems if you try to use them for phrases. This is a non-negotiable rule. Any student who uses a translation machine on ANY assignment will receive a zero (0). Using translation machines do not help the students learn to utilize their language or vocabulary skills and encourage them to rely on outside machines rather than their own knowledge.
Approved sites are as follows:
- www.wordreference.com
- http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-spanish
- http://dictionary.reverso.net/spanish-english/
Tests and Quizzes
Tests are given at regular intervals throughout the year. Some will be written exams, others will be performance-based.
Sometimes there will be pop quizzes, so it is best if you start working right away on learning your vocabulary words.
You need to make up both tests and quizzes upon returning from an absence. Missing one day does not excuse you from taking either a test or a quiz. You will at least one week in advance for Unit Assessments, and at least two days in advance for quizzes.
Class Participation
It is required that you participate in class. I keep track of participation and it becomes part of your grade. It usually ends up being approximately 30% of your grade.
Getting Help
Help is available for those who want it. You need to be willing to work hard and you can be successful. The following are a list of opportunities available to those students needing extra help.
- Tutoring - I am available after school on Mondays and Thursdays. Please make an appointment.
- Personal tutors are available for those wanting more flexibility with meeting times (there is a cost involved with this option).
- Friends who have taken Spanish are also a great resource for help. Older students might be willing to help as well!
- Websites- There are many sites available for help studying a language. Please see Links and Homework Help for a list of sources
Extra Credit
There are few opportunities for extra credit in class. I will not give extra credit just because you need more points when you are not doing your regular class work. The following list includes some extra credit opportunities available to you.
- 4 points for bringing in the definition of a word (this will be pointed out during class discussion)
- up to one question worth on a Unit Assessment (typically 2-5 points) based on Review Game results
- Any other opportunities will be announced in class as well as posted on this website under the level's page
Grades
Grades are earned based on classwork, homework, quizzes/tests and participation. Your grade will be based on the total number of points earned from the total points possible (cumulative). Your grade will posted regularly so that you know where you stand.
Report cards are sent home at the end of each trimester. Parent-teacher-student conferences will be held at the end of the first trimester and at other times deemed appropriate for all to discuss the student's development. Please feel free to arrange a meeting for any reason.
GRADING SCALE
Grades K-3: Teachers will report students' progress through a skills based report.
-Independent (IN): Exhibits a mastery of the skill and behavior
-Developing (DV): Progressions towards mastery of the skill and behavior
-Needs Improvement (N): Reinforcement and improvement needed for skill and behavior
-Not Applicable (NA): Skill has not yet been introduced
Grades 4-6: Students will earn grades based upon a traditional model
A+ = 100 A = 99-94 A- =93
B+ = 92 B = 91-86 B - = 85
C+ = 84 C = 83-76 C- = 75
D+ = 74 D = 73-71 D- = 70
F= below 70