Sr. Cecchini

My hope is that everyone has positive

experiences this school year. I hope that you

realize that you have the potential for doing

good deeds and good work, and I hope that

you keep an open mind to new educational

experiences.

The Cecchini Family

My name is Leonardo Cecchini and this is my family. I am 47 years old and born in Oviedo, Spain. My wife Heather is from New Orleans, Louisiana. We met while going to college at Northwestern State University and married aprox. 20 years ago. My son Santiago, 18 will be a freshman at LSU this year and Bernice, 13 will be an eighth grader. We have recently moved from Salem, Oregon where we lived for the last 6 years. While there, I taught High School Spanish upper level classes. I am excited to return to Louisiana this year and teach middle school Spanish courses.

Google Classroom Codes

These are the codes for you to access the class material:

Period 1 - bbhx5rbPeriod 2 - f6amurcPeriod 3 - mqcd3fpPeriod 5 - gagcsu4Period 6 - befwbt7Period 7 - tvtl7uc

Contact information:

I am located in room 14 but you can reach my via email at:leonardo.cecchini@stpsb.org

Also, the office number is 985-641-5914

What will I know at the end of Spanish I?

At the end of this course, you will be able to understand almost everything the teacher says, and you will be able to understand your classmates when they speak in the language. You will also be able to understand much of what native speakers say when you hear them on CDs, or videos. You will have an increasing ability to understand written Spanish that reflects words that you have already learned. When you speak in the language, initially you will be answering questions from the teacher or your classmates. Even though you will understand much of what you hear, your responses will be limited to one, two or a few words to express your thoughts. You will mostly rely on memorized responses to some questions like ‘What’s your name?’ or ‘How are you?’ You will find that you can write much of what you can say, and you can even begin to write a short paragraph. As you write, you will probably find that you are not totally accurate in capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and use of grammar.

I am glad that you are in my class.

Spanish is a fun language, and I want to

help you to not just learn about it, but

to be able to speak it. With that said,

there are several things you should

expect when you walk into my classroom.

EXPECT to be respectful to me, and the other

students. This is the BIG RULE of my class:

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Respect is a two way street. I will show respect for you,

and I expect the same in return. If you are not

interested in learning that does not mean that others

around you do not want to learn! If you have a grade

complaint or feel that you have been treated unfairly,

please see me one-on-one either before or after class.

EXPECT to come to class prepared.

This means that each day you are to

bring your planner, notebook, pen,

workbook AND homework.

EXPECT to work from bell to bell. Yes, we

will have homework. Yes, we will do projects.

Homework or projects are not busy work,

they reinforce what was learned in class.

Spanish is a class that builds on itself. If

you do not complete your assignments,

chances are you will not successfully

complete this class.

EXPECT to speak Spanish. Expect to do homework and projects in

Spanish. This is Spanish class. DUH. Yes, we will speak Spanish in this

class. Please don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It is okay. You are

learning in a new language. Please be respectful of other students while

they are speaking in Spanish. If they mess up, there is no need to

make fun, because what if you mess up when you speak???

EXPECT make-up work to be YOUR responsibility. There are many

things you can do! Look on blackboard, in the absentee binder, at the

class notes, call somebody or ask the class supervisor! If you are

absent the day before a test or quiz, EXPECT to take it the day you

come back.

EXPECT to be treated like

adults. I WILL NOT spoon-feed

you. It will be up to YOU to

make sure you are on track in

my class.

EXPECT NOT to chew gum, eat or drink (only water is allowed), apply make-up, cologne, nail polish, etc. It is not only rude, but it also stinks up the classroom. If you do so, the toiletry will be confiscated and returned at the end of the semester.

EXPECT NOT to use on-line translators. They don’t work. I can tell when you use one. If you choose to use one, you will receive a zero on the assignment

EXPECT for me to be there to help you anytime. I am always available by email, and after school. You can also talk with me after class. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions!!

1st violation: Warning

2nd violation: Equis

3rd violation: Detention/Phone call home

4th violation: Office referral WE HAVE A PROBLEM IF WE GET TO THIS POINT!

If you are assigned detention and do not show up to fulfill this obligation, you will be sent to the school office for further action. For severe behavior

or continuous violations of class rules, I may choose to send you for an immediate referral to the office.

What if I don’t do what’s expected?

Procedures

WHEN YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM

WHEN THE BELL RINGS …

» Be ready to begin class.

» When class is over, the bell does not dismiss you from class, I do.

» Please remain seated until I dismiss you.

» All supplies must be put in the proper place before you will be dismissed.

WHEN YOU ARE TESTING …» Use a cover sheet

» Keep your eyes and hands on your paper

» When you are finished turn your paper over

» If you do not follow these procedures, you will fail the test.

» Procedures are to be observed until all papers are turned in.

WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING ON THE TEACHER’S DESK …

» Ask the teacher before taking it off her desk, table, or work area. Do NOT touch anything on my desk unless you have my permission.

Mr. Cecchini

WHEN YOU NEED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM…

» You are to use the restroom in between classes before entering the classroom. Time out of the classroom is time in which a student is not learning.

» You will get three hall passes per semester. These can be used to go to your locker, bathroom, etc.

» Once you enter the room you must use your pass to leave. If you need to leave and your hall passes have already been used, you will get a tardy.

» Bonus points will be given at the end of each semester for

any unused passes.

WHEN YOU ARE TARDY …

» If your entire body is not physically within the walls of the classroom when the bell rings, you are tardy.

» Get a permission slip from an administrator

WHEN YOU ARE ABSENT …» It is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate. You

should date your notes each day.

» On the day you have to turn in homework, your homework will be received the day you return, ONLY with a valid excuse

» If you have to make up a test, check with me (usually it’s the next day)

At first Spanish class seems deceptively simple.  We learn colors and numbers (It’s a lot like kindergarten!) and it seems like Spanish will be your easiest class of the year. 

However, after the first few weeks, Spanish gets more difficult.  The secret is to not fall behind.  Don’t be one of the poor people who spend the first few weeks doing nothing and then suddenly realize they are really lost!  The bottom line is that you will need to put in EFFORT to do well in this class.  Follow these easy steps from the beginning…

1.  Don't get behind!What we do one day will build on what we did the

day before.  Studying 10 minutes every night is much better than one frustrated, tear-filled cramming session.

2.  Ask for help in Class.If you don't understand, there are probably 5 people

who feel even more frustrated than you do.  Be the brave person that asks a question.  NO ONE will think that you are dumb.

3.  DO SOMETHING with the vocab.  

Don’t just look over the list. 

– Make yourself a folded paper quiz by writing out all the English words down the left side of your paper, then copy the Spanish equivalent next to them.  Fold the paper in half to cover up the Spanish, and then quiz yourself.  You can open the fold to see if you’re correct and re-fold the paper to practice again.

– Make flashcards to quiz yourself on the vocab (have a parent, sibling or friend quiz you as well).

3.  DO SOMETHING with the vocab.  

– Make a recording of yourself saying the English words, leave a pause, then say the Spanish.  Use the recording to quiz yourself.

– Make up mnemonic devices or silly rhymes to remember things (For example:  The Spanish word for “horse” is “caballo,”  you might picture a horse riding in a taxi cab to help you remember this word).

– Label things in your room or home.  Speak Spanish with your friends and family (This really helps and, of course, you look extremely cool while doing it!)

4.  Practice with the workbook pages.

When we go over workbook pages in class be sure to copy down all the correct answers.  At home, cover up the answers and do the exercise again.

5.  Use the Internet.

Visit my blackboard site and explore the different links I posted. The website Spanish.about.com may offer helpful explanations of different topics as well.  (This site looks a bit overwhelming at first.  Just do a search for a topic like "nouns" or "verb conjugation" and you'll find what you need.)

6.  Study with a friend.Who didn't play school as a little kid? 

Sometimes people learn best by teaching something to others.  Find a friend and make practice sentences for one another.

7.  Ask for help.Whether you need a weekly review or have

one question, I'm happy to help.  When you ask for help it tells me that you care about this class and your grade!