requirements for Japanese classes, revised September, 2009

Requirements for Classes taught by Kimmel Sensei (revised September, 2009)

Every day, bring:
1. a pencil
2. a 3 ring loose-leaf binder dedicated exclusively to Japanese, including blank paper, daily notes, and handouts, plus a hole puncher. Students are expected to write down whatever the teacher has written on the board and to keep all handouts and notes in the notebook. The teacher may periodically check on note taking and grade the notebook for completeness, and may do so without prior notice. Each day’s notes should be recorded on a separate, dated page, in chronological order.
3. both text and workbook

Homework:
1. Home work must have NO "fringes," and must be in “double-spaced” format
(typed AND handwritten)
2. Full name, first and LAST NAME in upper RIGHT hand corner of paper
3. name of class (for example, Japanese One)
4. Date: day, month, year, day of week
5. name of assignment: "weather assignment," "Page 3 in text," etc.
6. due at BEGINNING of class period
7. assignments handed in later than the due date may not be accepted—
credit for a late assignment will be less than 50%, if any credit is given at all
8. homework will be evaluated summatively, that is, according to the amount of the assignment
that has been successfully completed. The policy is designed to encourage production
and fluency. I also use homework to inform my teaching; so errors will be discussed as a
group. Summative grading is designed to continually encourage and increase the ability to
write Japanese text.

Attendance, behavior, courtesy, cooperation, and respect:
1. Daily attendance is essential, as is attentiveness and cooperation while you are in class.
2. Students will treat the teacher and other students with respect at all times. Disrespect shows lack of understanding of Japanese culture and will affect the participation portion of your grade.
3. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum--students must be able to speak clearly in class.

School rules will be enforced in the Japanese classroom:
1. at any and all times, be ready to show ID and place on desk
2. no cell phones or Ipods or walkmans: if seen or heard during school hours, they will be confiscated and taken to Ms. Lumpkin.
3. no hats, headbands, do-rags, head scarves, hoods
4. modest, appropriate clothing , without showing underwear
a. girls—no bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, mini-skirts, low necklines, or short-shorts
b. boys—no tank tops
c. no scatological, violent, or offensive/hateful language; drug, alcohol, or gang-related insignia


Grading Scale:
Grades are based on test scores and projects (70%), oral performance participation, including politeness and courtesy (15%), and in-class writing assignments and homework (15%) Letter equivalents for numerical scores are as follows.
i. 90 – 100% A
ii. 80 – 89% B
iii. 70 – 79% C
iv. 60 – 69% D
v. below 60% F

Even if there is no formal homework assignment on a particular day, students are expected to review notes every evening and to reread any materials covered that day. Surprise quizzes may be given at any time. Students should particularly focus on practicing the writing system daily, including the phonetic hiragana and katakana systems and the semantic kanji, Chinese characters as used in Japanese. Students should make flash cards for all vocabulary and writing symbols and review them on a daily basis.
Tutorial in Japanese is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday after school in room 110.
The teacher will post grades every 5 weeks. Parents who want to know more about their student’s progress are welcome to make contact at any time. The best way to reach the teacher is at the following e-mail address: crkimmel@cps.edu . She can also be reached on her cell phone, number, 773-833-7823, but communication by email is far more effective.
Students and teachers may enjoy following the blog for the Payton/Osaka Sr. H.S. exchange at the following web address: http://PaytonChicagoOsakaIchiritsu.blogspot.com.
Information about activities and assignments in Japanese classes can be found at
http://KimmelJapaneseClasses.blogspot.com.


I understand what is expected in Japanese class. Returning this form is my first graded homework assignment of the semester.

Student____________________________________________ _________________ (Date)

Parent_____________________________________________ _________________ (Date)