ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE
Sra. Ferryman
Student Expectations for AP Spanish Language
Students are expected to:
¨ Express themselves in Spanish throughout the class
¨ Read and write extensively
¨ Read various authentic texts and demonstrate comprehension through oral and written evaluation
¨ Become proficient in the four language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing
¨ Become more familiar with the Spanish-speaking countries with respect to culture and language
¨ Become proficient in using the language to deal with daily situations
Weekly Course Goals for AP Spanish Language
Students will participate in the following activities every week:
¨ Writing compositions of 250 words or more based on written and aural documents with a high degree of structural accuracy
¨ Completing simulated every-day conversations in Spanish based on the AP Spanish Language Exam as well as giving formal 2-minute presentations based on a cultural comparison
¨ Performing in-class listening comprehension exercises and combined listening/reading exercises
¨ Reading selected samples of authentic texts to serve as vehicles for language study and expansion
¨ Performing an in-depth study of grammar and syntax
¨ Discussing literary and cultural topics, current events, and personal experiences
¨ Reviewing and broadening vocabulary related to the six course themes for AP Spanish Language (Global Challenges; Science and Technology; Contemporary Life; Personal and Public Identities; Families and Communities; Beauty and Aesthetics)
Overview of AP Spanish Language Exam
*Section 1: Multiple Choice
Total # of questions and % weight of final score: 65 questions and 50%
Total Time: Approximately 95 minutes
*Part A: Interpretive Communication: Print Texts
Total # of questions: 30
Time: Approximately 40 minutes
*Part B: Interpretive Communication: Print and Audio Texts (combined) and Interpretive Communication: Audio Texts
Total # of questions: 35
Time: Approximately 55 minutes
*Section 2: Free Response (four sections)
Weight of final score: 50%
Total Time: Approximately 85 minutes
1. Interpersonal Writing: Email Reply (1 prompt; 15 minutes, 12.5% of score)
2. Presentational Writing: Persuasive Essay (1 prompt, at least 200 words, 55 minutes, 12.5% of score)
3. Interpersonal Speaking (Conversation) (5-6 response prompts, 20 seconds to respond to each, 12.5% of score)
4. Presentational Speaking: Cultural Comparison (1 prompt, 2 minutes to respond, 12.5% of score)
AP Spanish Language Program of Study
LUNES
On Mondays, several assigned textbook translations and exercises are due at the beginning of the period. This work is assigned a week in advance. During class, the assignment, including readings, vocabulary, translations, and grammar exercises, is discussed, reviewed, and analyzed. Small group discussions will also occur.
MARTES
On Tuesdays, a reading assignment will be done in class. The reading may come from the textbook, workbook, or another source. Bring your blue Amscos to leave in the classroom. The previous week’s reading will be discussed. Also, workbook activities corresponding to the week’s textbook assignments will be due and discussed in class.
MIERCOLES
Semester 1: A composition will be due at the beginning of the period. Compositions are graded using rubric guidelines for the AP Exam. Compositions will be assigned a week in advance. 250 words is the minimum desired length-yours will likely be much longer. Compositions should be typed and double-spaced. Put your total word count at the top of the page. Review of the textbook and workbook material will continue in preparation for the test on Thursday. Practice activities of various types will be completed. Note: We may start writing in class before second semester.
Semester 2: An in-class composition will be written. Review of the textbook and workbook material will continue in preparation for the test on Thursday if needed.
JUEVES
On Thursdays, class will begin with a test on the week’s assigned textbook material. The focus will be on grammar and vocabulary. After the test, listening practice activities will be completed. If time permits, additional practice activities of various types will be completed.
VIERNES
Every other Friday, weekly journal entries are due at the beginning of class (dated from Friday to Thursday). You will submit 14 days at a time this year instead of seven. Use a separate composition notebook. Journal entries should be made every day and should be a minimum of eight full lines in length. Journal entries will serve as “bell work” each day. One weekly entry should be a summary and response to a Spanish language printed news/current events article (citation should be listed for source) and one should be a summary and response to a broadcast in Spanish found on the radio or Internet (citation should be listed for source). For the remainder of the week, journal entries will be on topics of your own choice, including your activities, plans, thoughts, etc. Be creative and make it interesting. Don’t be repetitive; no credit will be given for repetitive or copied journal entries. The focus of Friday’s class is speaking, including oral exercises, formal presentation practice, conversation, and question and answer practice. Presentations will be assigned some weeks. Speaking skills are graded using the rubric guidelines for the AP Exam.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Grading System
Grading will be on a total point system. Listed below are the usual point values assigned; the point values are subject to change at my discretion. Grades may be combined into weekly or unit grades.
Textbook assignments (per week): 50 points
Workbook exercises (per week): 25 points
Reading assignments: 50 points
Compositions: 100 points
Tests: 100 points
Journal (per week): 25 points
Oral Activities/Speaking Skills: 100 points
Quizzes (if assigned/given): 50 points
Listening Activities: 25 to 50 points
Class Assignments
*Assignments are due at the first of the period in its entirety. Homework should be finished before coming to class. Completing homework in the classroom before the bell is not allowed, and late work will not be accepted.
*Academic honesty is expected on all assignments. Translation services are strictly prohibited. Working together on independent assignments such as translations, readings, etc. outside of class is absolutely unacceptable and will be considered to be academic dishonesty. Both parties involved in copying assignments will receive a zero, an honors infraction with all included consequences, and a parental phone call.
Make-up Policy
*It is the student’s responsibility to get his/her makeup work after an absence.
After an EXCUSED absence, the following guidelines apply:
*If a student misses a test or a quiz, he or she has 3 days to make up the test or quiz, including the first day he or she returns to school. I reserve the right to make make-up tests or quizzes different than the original test or quiz.
*Make-up tests or quizzes may not be taken during the student’s class time. Students must schedule a make-up with me.
*Since class assignments are given well in advance, the missed assignment must be turned in the day the student returns to school. Make-up work should be shown or given to me at a convenient time.
*If a student is absent on Friday when journals are due, the journal is due the day he or she returns to school. If a student is absent on Friday due to school-sponsored absence, the journal should be turned in Thursday. Students are welcome to turn journals in Thursday if they wish to have them returned on Friday to work in them over the weekend.
*If class participation points were taken on the day of an excused absence, the points will neither count for nor against the student. ALL graded listening and reading comprehension or speaking/writing activities MUST be made up.
After an UNEXCUSED absence, the following guidelines apply:
*A student may not turn in an assignment due on the day of the absence. If an assignment is given on the day of the unexcused absence, the student may turn it in if he/she returns to school on the due date; however, the student is responsible for finding out and completing the assignment by class time. Come by before school or check with a classmate.
*No tests or quizzes may be made up that were given, and no projects/presentations that were due may be turned in. No credit will be given for journal entries for the day.
*If class participation points (i.e., listening) were taken, the student will receive a zero.
Miscellaneous
*AP students may be required to purchase an additional test preparation workbook during the course of the school year. The cost of the workbook and the due date for the money will be discussed in class.
*Supplies: The following items will be needed: three-ring binder, college-ruled paper (preferred), manila folder, pen/pencil, red pencil/pen (not for use on HW/tests), composition notebook, book/workbook/journal/dictionary daily, and designated supply for each class period. No spiral paper will be accepted.
*All AP students are required to take the National Spanish Exam in the spring. The cost is typically around $5.
*This class requires a lot of dedication and personal responsibility on behalf of the student. It is essential that students write down and keep track of all class assignments, essay topics, and so forth. Being disorganized will not be to the student’s advantage. Students should plan to spend a significant amount of time outside of class completing course work.
*Please sign and complete the acknowledgement statement and return it to me.