Several Questions that Parents Frequently Ask Mrs. McNicholas
 

1. How many times a week does my son/daughter have Spanish class?

Grades 5-8 meet three times a week. (37 minute period)

2. What do students receive on the report card?

In grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 students will receive a numerical grade.

Spanish class also counts toward honor roll.

3. When is homework given, and how often do you give tests?

Homework is usually given 2 times a week, and I usually give students 5 minutes to work on homework in class.
Tests usually take place every two weeks. There are never any pop-quizzes, and I give my students a week's notice as to when a test will take place.

4. Do you accept late homework?

I accept late homework anytime during the marking period for half credit. If a student loses the homework ditto, I will not replace the ditto.

5. How are your tests designed?

In grade 5, students will have a written test.

In grade 6, tests are usually written and sometimes oral. The grade 6 written test is usually comprised of 25 words/phrases/short sentences that need to be translated.

In grade 7 and 8, there is a written test for every chapter. Spelling always counts on test!  There will also be an oral test after each chapter is completed.

6. How can I help my son/daughter study for a test?

Every student should have a copy of the vocab list for the particular chapter we're studying AT ALL TIMES! Putting the vocabulary words on flash cards works great! Studying the vocab cards periodically works wonders!

7. How do I know if my son/daughter is not doing well in Spanish class?

I update the grades on the Parent Portal several times throughout each week.  Please regularly check the average on the Parent Portal.

8. Do you assign skits?

Skits count as a test grade, and students are graded on effort, grammar, length, creativity, and pronunciation. Students can work in groups of 2 or 3, and certain questions from the chapter need to be incorporated into the skit. Skits are a very practical way to utilize vocabulary from the chapter, and I volunteer to proofread skits before they are presented.

9. When is the Shore Regional High Spanish 1 midterm and final exam?

Students in the 8th grade will take the SRHS Spanish 1 midterm in January in class at FAS and the final exam the first week of June in class at FAS. The midterm and final exam grades are taken into consideration when placing students into Spanish 2 or Spanish 2 Honors.

10. How do they place students at SRHS?

In past years, SRHS looks at FAS marking period grades and the SRHS Spanish 1 midterm and final exam grades. SRHS also asks me where I feel students would feel comfortable in - Spanish I, Spanish II, or Spanish II Honors. Students are also free to take French, Latin, and Italian at SRHS. A student must have 2 years of a World Language in order to graduate from high school in the state of NJ.

11. What happens if my son/daughter is not going to SRHS?

Schools like Red Bank Catholic, High Tech High, and Christian Brothers Academy usually send me a form to fill out about the particular student. The student usually takes a placement test and sometimes there is also an interview in Spanish.

12. How can I reach you?

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the school -

1 (732) 222-5080 EXT 1127.