Italian 1 
ESM High School 
2007-2008 
Miss. Maggio 

Objective: to learn the Italian language at an elementary level and be able to read, write, 
speak and listen in the target language. This course will explore Italian language 
and culture and prepare your child for the Second Language Proficiency Exam at 
the end of the school year. 

Materials: each student will be responsible for his/her own class materials. Each day 
your book, workbook, pen/pencil must be in class. You must purchase a 2” (or 
larger) three-ring binder with plenty of loose-leaf paper to take notes and do 
homework. Also important to have in your binder are dividers for the different 
units that we cover in class. The binder should have two pockets inside each 
cover. If not, a folder will also be necessary. All of these items will be brought to 
class each day unless otherwise informed. 

Grading: Each person’s grade will be equally divided into four different categories worth 
25% each to total 100%. The categories that you will be graded on are in-class 
participation/performance, tests, quizzes/projects and homework. 

Participation: It is important for your language advancement and your grade in 
this class to participate each day in class. This means being on time, in your seat 
and ready to work when the bell rings. Each person will be made comfortable in 
the class environment, and there will not be any need to feel embarrassed for 
trying your best and speaking the language during class activities. Ten percent of 
the final exam is based on informal speaking which takes place on a daily basis. 
Another twenty percent is based on a formal speaking test, therefore the more you 
practice in-class the more comfortable you will become with the language. FUN! 
Tests: These will be an important part of your work in class. They will assess for 
you, your parents, and myself how you are doing with your course work. Any test 
(or quiz) below a 70% will have to be brought home and signed by a parent and 
brought back the following day. If you forget to have the test (quiz) signed, I will 
call home to make sure that your parent(s) are informed of your grade and that 
they are to sign the test for you to bring back. It is your responsibility to do this 
task. If you are absent the day of the test/quiz, you will be required to make it up 
within 3 days of your return to school. 
Quizzes/Projects: Quizzes will be given on a regular basis to be used as 
benchmarks in each unit. There will be various projects that will be graded and 
worked on throughout the course of the year. All projects will be given to you 
with specific instructions and the dates that they are due. You will have plenty of 
time to complete each assignment, and any late work will be deducted 10 points 
for each day that it is late, so do not wait until the last minute. 


Homework: All homework assigned must be turned in on the date it is due or it 
will count as a zero. Any late work will not be accepted (unless there is reason), 
so be certain that it is in class on time. If a student is absent then they will be 
responsible for making up all missed assignments by asking either myself, a 
classmate or checking the assignment board . You must also get any notes taken 
the day of your absence from a classmate. It is your responsibility to inquire of 
anything missed while you were absent. Also, if there is an assignment due on the 
day you are absent, it is to be handed in the day that you return. 

Classroom Management: 
Rules and regulations 1.) 
Treat and respect others as you would like them to treat and respect you. 
2.) Raise your hand to talk and stay in your seats unless otherwise told. 
3.) Bullying, foul language, inappropriate gestures, and rudeness are not 
acceptable behaviors for anyone. 
4.) Listen and follow directions the first time they are told. It is only respectful to 
not talk when someone else is talking. 
5.) Be responsible for all actions during class. 

Consequences – I consider myself to be a very fair, fun, and positive teacher, but 
if the rules are broken, then you will have to be penalized for your actions. The 
following are various consequences that will be based on the severity of the 
broken rule: 

-verbal warning 
-time out desk 
-extra assignment 
-after school detention 
-phone call home to parent(s) 
-referral to the principal 


I truly hope that I will not have to use any of these consequences and that we can 
have a great year respecting each other and working together in the classroom! I 
want each of you to do your best, stay focused and try as hard as you can. If you 
do, there is no doubt in my mind that you will succeed in this class. 

*** Please fill out the following page so that I can keep it in my files for contact 
information. 

Sincerely, 

K. Maggio