日本語 Expectations
Confucius says: "Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may
remember. Involve me, and I will understand."
Teacher: モートン先生 (Morton-Sensei)
Course: 日本語 (Nihongo)
Suggested materials:
*Italicized materials are provided on loan. You will need to return them in the same condition at the end of each term. Please let me know if you cannot provide any of the material listed above.
Standards:
Essential Learning 1
Essential Learning 2
Essential Learning 3
Grading Scale: Grading:
A 90-100 Exams (Tests & Quizzes) 30%
B 80-89 Participation 10%
C 70-79 Behavior 10%
D 60-69 Homework 20%
F Below 60 Projects 20%
Journals 10%
Total: 100%
Exams:
Participation:
Participation encompasses attendance and cooperation. All students are expected to not only be physically present in class but also be mentally present to the lesson and the activity. Short skits, dialogues, and songs will be a part of our curriculum and thus also count towards your final grade. Participation also entails bringing all necessary materials to class, attendance, and tardies. Since we will be simulating a Japanese class, I expect you to emulate a Japanese classroom to the best of your ability. Participation can also include attendance at and reflections of annual events such as Aki Matsuri or Kent’s Cherry Blossom Festival or the White Temple Bazaar (event details will be sent home nearing each event) or Japanese-related places such as restaurants, stores, museums…etc.
Behavior:
Behavior includes cultural competency, respect, effort and enthusiasm. I expect you to be courteous not only to me but also your classmates and yourself. Attaining cultural competency entails being respectful of cultural similarities and differences. We will simulate a Japanese classroom for maximum language and culture retention; I expect you to take this seriously as part of your learning experience. Live your life with integrity.
Homework:
The homework I assign is essential for success in this class. Therefore, it is to your advantage that you complete each assignment that is given. If you need any additional assistance or have any questions with your assignment, you may make an appointment with me provided that you let me know you are having difficulties prior to the due date. In general, homework will be assigned throughout the week with periodic exams on Friday. Mistakes can be corrected to gain mastery and you can additionally regain your missing points. Mastery is only achieved once mistakes are corrected. Corrections for assignments will entail writing the correct answer five times (exception: alphabet, only once is necessary). Corrections are due the following day at the beginning of the class period.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE COMPLETED WITH PENCIL.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST HAVE CORRECT HEADING:
Late assignments will not be accepted unless you have an EXCUSED absence. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ask for make-up homework. All homework is due at the beginning of the next day of class, unless otherwise specified.
Projects:
Occasionally there will be project-based assignments such as writing short essays on Japan-related topics or crafts such as Japanese New Year’s cards. In an effort to improve students’ standardized testing scores, these essays coincide with WASL standards of assessment (we will discuss). Our culminating project is the creation and performance of a Kamishibai, Japanese story-board.
Journals:
You will have daily journal assignments at the beginning of each class period. You are expected to have your journal with you at all times (you can opt to leave it in the classroom). You will turn in your journals every Friday.
Academic dishonesty:
Cheating of any sort will NOT be tolerated. If you are caught cheating, you will face the following consequences:
Cheating can be characterized by such things as: students looking around the room, looking at someone else’s test or quiz, talking during a test or quiz, copying homework, plagiarizing, writing on the desk, using notes as reference during a test or quiz…etc.
Tardies:
The school tardy policy will be enforced (see handbook).
Management:
Maintaining good management is a necessary prerequisite to establishing a classroom climate that is conducive to learning. Through Japanese tenets of discipline, student engagement and self-direction, our classroom will reflect such an environment. An effective management policy increases instructional time, teaches responsibility and self-control and contributes to the overall feeling that Japanese class is an exciting place to teach and learn. We will be simulating a Japanese-style classroom.
Involving parents and administration in any discipline measures is an integral part of maintaining a safe and fun classroom. My discipline procedure is as follows:
1st infraction = verbal warning
2nd infraction = teacher/student conference, parental/guardian contact
3rd infraction = detention, parental/guardian contact 
4th infraction = referral to the office
Insubordinate behavior directed at your teacher or classmates will NOT be tolerated. Student behaviors identified by school policy to be more severe will result in moving beyond or through these steps more rapidly.
I hope these classroom expectations will help you understand what is expected of you in my classroom. I look forward to having you in my class and hope that you have a fun learning experience. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to ask.