Chinese I & II

Welcome everyone!

Listed here is the syllabus for the first year Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese I and II. Please  click the following link for a printable version: chinese-I-syllabus.pdf

Galileo Academy of Science & Technology1150 Francisco StreetSan Francisco, CA 94109415-749-3430

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Classes: Chinese I                                                                                                                                        08/25/2008

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Textbook: HANYU for Beginning Students HANYU for Beginning Students – Practice Book(Additional materials will be used to supplement learning.  The curriculum is aligned with the SFUSD, California and national standards for foreign language.)

Course Descriptions:This course starts with Pinyin, which is a pre-unit study of Chinese phonetic spelling system, and will continue from Unit 1 to Unit 4 for the whole academic year. Through these units, students will learn basic Chinese in various scenarios in which they will be able to introduce themselves, to talk about their families, schools, and other daily activities.

Students will learn in class:

1.       Pinyin – initials, finals, and various verbal combinations.

2.       Basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, which include vocabulary, ways of greeting to people, self- and family introduction, and description of daily activities, etc.

3.       Basic grammar and syntax that will help reinforce their speaking and reading capabilities.

4.       Culture and history of the target language.

Students will be assessed by:

1.       Class participation and performance.

2.       Teacher-student interactions, such as questions and answers in class and so on.

3.       Homework and assignments.

4.       Dictations, quizzes and tests,

5.       Skits and presentations.

Grading

Grading    A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: 59 & below

Class participation: 10%

Homework & Assignment: 30%

Project: 10%

Tests & quizzes: 50%   �

Class Participation

  • Attendance – Students are expected to be present for every class of instructions. Students must provide the parent-signed and/or school-documented excuse for any absence. It is student’s responsibility to meet the teacher and check with classmates to complete all the work that has been missed. This also applies to students with planned absence (early dismissal for sports, field trips, appointments, etc.).

  • Students should bring all necessary supplies to the class, such as Notebook, Pencils, Eraser, Scratch paper, and so on. Penmanship: Students are required to 1) practice writing each new character 10 times, and 2) create sentences using new characters and phrases.
  • Classroom behavior – Two points will be deducted whenever the first warning is issued. Three points will be taken off when a second warning is made. The third warning will cost five points and parents will be notified. (See class rules)
  • Group Activity – Group activities will be assigned to incorporate different language topics and situations. Students will be grouped by pairs, trios, numbers, or by teacher’s discretion. This activity aims to provide an opportunity that everyone in the group has a chance to speak, participate, share opinions and contribute to the team work.

Homework and Assignment

  • Assignment and homework will be assigned on the day. Any unfinished class work, if not due by the end of the class, will be students’ homework for that day and due in the class the following day.
  • Homework and class work will be graded by the teacher and/or a student TA. Some work may only be credited for completion.
  • Students’ absence of homework or late work will be recorded and the grade may go one letter down the scale according to occurrences (e.g. A→B; B→C; etc.).

Project The class project is based on the unit of the textbook. It will be theme-oriented and assigned one week earlier than the due date. Expectations and explanations will be given at the time when the project is assigned. The project will be evaluated by 1) Quality of Content 2) Organization 3) Creativity 4) Delivery (Presentational skills), etc.

Tests and Quizzes

  • Students will be given a test and quizzes for each learning unit. If one misses any test/quiz, it is his/her responsibility to contact teacher for a make-up. The make-up must be taken within two days of the student’s return.
  • No cheating is tolerated for any quiz or test. Students who cheat will automatically receive 0 point and parent or guardian will be notified.
  • Plagiarism is prohibited!

Class Expectations

  • Students behave politely.
  • Students respect teachers, classmates, themselves, school and personal properties.
  • Students have positive attitude, and follow teacher’s instructions.
  • Students participate in and contribute to class and group activities.
  • Students make consistent attempts to use and practice the language in and outside of the classroom.
  • Students accomplish all required class work, homework, projects, etc by the due date.
  • Students are well aware of their responsibility of learning.

Classroom Rules

Classroom rules, together with the school regulations, ensure students to have a positive classroom environment in which learning is best engaged and accomplished. Students are expected to follow all the rules and be responsible for the consequences.

Part I –

  1. Be in class when the bell rings.
  2. Listen and actively respond to teacher’s instructions.
  3. Do not leave your seat without permission.
  4. Be prepared for class with required materials.
  5. No eating in class.
  6. Raise your hand to get the permission to speak.
  7. Do not talk when teacher talks.
  8. Use decent language.
  9. Do not use computer without the permission.
  10. Keep the classroom clean and free from litters.
  11. Dismissal: The bell does not dismiss the students. The teacher does.

Part II – The following items and behaviors are NOT ALLOWED in the classroom:

  • IPod, cellular phone, gameboy, cards, makeup, lotion, etc. (These items will be confiscated in accordance with the school regulations)
  • Throwing objects
  • Head down
  • Doing homework for another class
  • Foul language
  • Defiant behaviors
  • Loud talking
  • Making disturbing/unpleasant noises

Warning:

  • First time – Oral warning.
  • Second time – Teacher-student conference.
  • Third time – The student must write a reflection. Parent or guardian will be notified by phone. Immediate referral to the dean’s office.

Note: Classroom misbehaviors are not limited to the list above. Therefore, teacher has the right to adjust the rules accordingly. Any defiance not to follow teacher’s instructions will result in a meeting with the student’s parent/guardian, counselor and school administrators.

A Letter to Parents/Guardians:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is Gong Tian, credentialed teacher of Chinese (Mandarin) for this semester. I will take care of all class activities including classroom teaching, grading, assignment and homework correcting, as well as grade-reporting. I will take a full charge of the class in accordance with related California education codes. I am honored to be the teacher of your child. I believe every child has talents to succeed in various ways. I will provide opportunities in which your child can demonstrate his or her talents through learning. I expect the positive attitude and active involvement in learning from your child, while he or she complies with the school and classroom rules. I am looking forward to the wonderful cooperation with you in this semester. Please sign the return slip at the bottom part of this page and ask the student to bring it back to me. Thank you.

Yours truly,

Gong Tian

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尊敬的家長/監護人﹐�

我是田老師﹐這個學期將在本校教授中文。我將負責此課的教學﹐改作業﹐評分﹐上報成勣﹐及行使加州教育委員會有關條例所賦予的全權責任。 肩負此任﹐我十分榮幸。我深信每一個學生都有足夠的聰明才智﹐會以不同的方式功成名就。我將竭盡全力讓貴子女在此課中學有所得﹐展示才華。我期望貴子女不僅遵守校紀﹐而且以認真﹑積極的態度參與學習。我企盼與您在本學年有一個良好的合作。�

敬請填好下列回執。�

謹此,敬上!�

二零零八年八月二十五日    �

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I have received a copy of class syllabus. I have read and understood the teacher’s class expectations.

Name of student: Print: ______________________ Sign: ______________________

Name of parent/guardian: Print _______________________                 Sign ________________________________

Date _____________________