Welcome to Mrs. De Guzman's class! Bienvenidos a la clase de la Sra. De Guzman!

Homework policy

Your child will have homework daily that will include ELA and Math homework. If its a Spanish day it would be SLA and Math homework. Third graders are expected to read twenty minutes daily to keep up with their oral reading fluency which will transfer to summarizing characters development, plot, setting, etc. Remember in grades K-2 they are learning to read, in 3rd grade they are reading to LEARN! We will be reading a chapter each day from our novel studies throughout the year. 

Grading

Students will be graded on quizzes, tests, projects, and participation! Homework will not be graded since homework is intended for extra practice. 

Behavior policy

Students will be receiving two warnings if they are continuing to disrupt the lesson/ class before they write their name in the notebook. I will have a notebook in the back of the room where they will be writing down their name and explaining their disruptive behaviors. It will be dated and signed by them and myself explain the first two warnings and their consequence. If by the third time they are continuing this disruptive behavior, I will be making a call home. The fourth time will become a detention after school hours. If this behavior is repeating continuously, the parent, student, myself and Mrs. White will hold a meeting to discuss their behavior. 

Spanish expectations

In the RLA program, students (depending on their grade level) are expected to be one grade level below or at their grade level for Spanish acquisition and comprehension. So don’t fret! I will explain Spanish oral reading fluency norms and English ones once I have your students scores. Together we will go in depth with what they mean and how we can help your child grow with their Spanish. I highly recommend buying Spanish workbooks, stories, and flashcards that can include by are not limited to numbers, days of the week, syllables, basic Spanish words daily so it's part of their lives. 

Spanish tips

Students are sponges! If your child sees you discouraged about their Spanish scores or their pace of learning, they will eventually stop caring or trying to learn Spanish. Slow growth is still growth. 

If you want to immerse your child in the Spanish language, take these next steps: 

• Take them to the Ripon Meat Market or any grocery store that displays words in Spanish; encourage them to speak Spanish there since everyone does speak Spanish in the store. Have them point to items and have them tell you what they are. 

• If you go to a church, try taking them to a Spanish service if applicable. They need to see and hear that Spanish is used everywhere and there is a reason as to why they are learning it! You may not understand but your child will high benefit from it! They will see that you are ALSO putting in your part in their Spanish journey. 

• Put music in Spanish at home when you’re cleaning and have a dance party together! 

• Use the Spanish flashcards daily before bed, in the car, or with a family member who may speak Spanish. 

• If you are watching a movie, put the audio in Spanish and the subtitles in English. 

• Play the game Loteria as a family, it’s like bingo but there are pictures and they have to listen and check if they have the item/animal that is being pictured! Great memory practice! 

• This one may be out there but take a family trip to Mexico and encourage them to translate for you! 

• This one if my favorite! To fully immerse your child, you will need to sticky note EVERYTHING in SPANISH that they see or use around the house. The door, refrigerator, bathroom, table, chair, room, cups, plates, cabinets, vacuum, stairs, lights, floor, seatbelt, computer, glass, etc. Have them say the word and touch the item for muscle memory. All it takes is practice and consistency. Ask them “ What is this?” Have them reply in Spanish. 
• I hope these tips and tricks help you and your child on this wonderful journey!