SYLLABUS FOR AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND SPANISH 4-H

Transcription

1 SYLLABUS FOR AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND SPANISH 4-H PROFESOR: Misael Martinez GOALS The goals of this course are as follows: Interpretive Mode: Listening: The listening portion in Section I of the AP examination accounts for 20% of the student grade. The students must also listen to a report, or fuente, in order to complete the formal writing part of Section II of the exam. The ability to understand the spoken language, both formally and in conversation is essential in this class. Students are required to listen to authentic sources as news, guest speakers, radio shows, and TV programs in class and at home. Students must listen to songs, news reports, documentaries, and interviews. The main focus is to teach students to take notes, gather information while they listen, and extract the main idea from the information presented. Interpersonal and Presentational Modes: Speaking: The class is conducted entirely in Spanish, and participation is mandatory. For example, after listening to a report, song, or any other listening source, there is a discussion. I use debates, panel discussions, and simulated phone conversation to compare and contrast ideas or people in order to reinforce presentational speaking as well as natural conversation. Interpretive Mode: Reading: Vocabulary and grammatical structure are reviewed to enable students to read newspapers and magazine articles as well as literature with ease and accuracy. These articles can be read directly from Spanish news websites listed below. We start with short readings and comprehension questions. Students will read several types of fiction and nonfiction such as newspaper articles, short stories, interviews, and excerpts from longer texts.

2 Interpersonal and Presentational Modes: Writing Students will have regular opportunities to speak Spanish. They will give informal (short and impromptu) and formal reports, newscasts, oral synthesis of text, and participate in discussions: they will also have the opportunity to interview guest speakers as well as each other. The ability to express written ideas accurately and fluently at a high level of proficiency is another key skill that this course develops. Thirty percent of the AP exam is devoted to writing. Therefore, we will spent significant amount of time on improving students writing abilities. Informal writing is used as a práctica de calentamiento: to a friend, diary entries, notes to parents, plot summaries, book reviews, etc. Students will also do peer editing in order to build grammatical skills in formal writing. Formal practice writing will take place every six weeks (essay: words). The formal essays will be based on topics given by the instructor as well as those based on the readings in the AP manual for the synthesis essays. Culture: Students will expand their awareness of the differences and similarities among selected cultural and linguistic aspects of various Spanish-speaking societies. Goals in general: To help students develop advanced Spanish Proficiency skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Component of the exam reflect these skills (see exam format, later). To understand the spoken and written language and be able to respond appropriately with a high level of vocabulary and accuracy. To use the language that is semantically and grammatically accurate according to a given context. To develop strong interpersonal skills, both aural and written. To develop strong presentational skills. To write well-organized essays that demonstrate synthesis and integration of skills. To research, discuss, and give presentations on a variety of cultural topics. To differentiate between informal and formal registers in aural and written work. To develop awareness of Spanish-speaking people, their culture, and their contributions to our society through a variety of authentic resources such as newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, and works of literature.

3 To extend the learning environment and make connections with the Spanish-speaking people in the community. To prepare students to take the AP Spanish Language Exam on May 17, 2013, with the goal of earning a score of 3, 4, or 5. Textbooks and Materials needed each day for class: AP Spanish: Preparing for the Language Examination Abriendo Paso : Gramatica (Spanish 4-H) PASO A PASO (Second part) : Spanish 4-H Abriendo Paso: Literatura (AP Spanish) Encuentros Maravillosos: Gramatica a través de la Literatura. (AP Spanish) Your well-organized Binder Triangulo: Text (AP Spanish) Access to Internet Authentic Spanish Sites: ECOSMAGAZINE: EL MUNDO ES (periódico): VOCABULARIO ABOUT HOTELS:

4 Reading focus: PUERTA DEL SOL: THINK SPANISH AUDIO MAGAZINE: UNIVISION: INTEGRATE LANGUAGE SKILLS: ORAL COMMUNICATION: CONVERSACION: PARA ESCRIBIR (WRITTEN):

5 STUDENT EVALUATION: Grades are based on all types of activities in the course. These includes recorded speaking samples, essays, listening and reading comprehension exercise, class participation, homework. I generally assess students work. Feedback is important for growing and learning. 1. Quizzes : points. Students take about 2-3 quizzes per week, covering vocabulary, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension. Vocabulary quizzes require students to write the meaning of the words or use the words in sentences. Informal in-class writings take the place of quizzes as the class progresses. 2. Tests: ( ) points. Quizzes and tests must be taken on the days indicated on your syllabus or at the discretion of your teacher. The quizzes and tests comprise vocabulary, completion of sentences, multiple choices, quizzes on short stories, matching, research projects. There is a test after every chapter. The grammar tests are usually fill-in-the-blank or question-answers format. Every six weeks students have an entire class period to write a formal essay based on the format of the Presentational writing task on the AP Exam. 3. Class Attendance and Participation (oral presentations = formal, informal), Q&A, discussions, paying attention, interview, role-playing situation, communicative task): points. I keep a clipboard with every student s name, and during class and at the end of each period, I take note of any outstanding comment or lack of participation. Students gain points for their participation, and lose points if they do not participate. The students will be asked to prepare for each class in a variety of ways. This preparation is vital for the success of the class. Without it, interaction among the students will be weak. The efforts of each student in the areas of classroom participation and self-improvement are the utmost importance and have a direct influence on the success and enjoyment of the class. Language learning is a laboratory course. Should you be absent for a class you will be expected to have done all of the preparation for the class and the class that follows it. 4. Written Work-Compositions (short, long essays, journal entries, exchanges, informal and formal written assignments = AP Spanish)): points. The development of writing skills is an important objective of this Spanish course. Your writing will be graded on the vocabulary you use, its appropriateness, the grammar, the organization, the content and the final corrections.

6 5. Aural/ oral activities: Any listening / speaking assignment is included in this category. Homework: points. Homework assignments will be given on a daily basis, and it is for home and not in class. Students must complete it because it expands on what we have studied in class. No homework will be accepted late, unless is excused. Students are responsible for contacting classmates or teacher for the assignment if a class is missed. For essays and speaking activities, we use the AP Scoring Guidelines to assess the students. 6. El Portafolio: ( points) You will create a portfolio to gather your best work you have done during the year. This portfolio will contain your journals, author biographies, themes of a particular Spanish writer, reflections on the process of learning, the study of a Spanish speaking country throughout the year. You will do some basic research on his country as well as keep current on its news. Students will share oral summaries of the articles you read with classmates. This project will provide valuable presentational speaking experience and will allow students to gain a greater understanding of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. This could be a project to be presented after you have taken the AP Spanish Language Exam on May 17, Note: The school s grading scale will be used with the previous types of evaluation. Semester grades will be determined by the two quarter grades (40% each) and exams, which mirror the AP test. St. John s High School uses the following grading scale: Quarter % Transcript Mark GPA A A A B B B C C C D+ 1.3

7 72-74 D D- 0.7 Grade of C- or higher in AP Courses will receive a 1.0 weight. Thus, a B will receive a weighted GPA of 4.0 Grade of C- or higher in Honors Courses will receive a.5 weight. Thus, a B will receive a weighted GPA of 3.5 II. Language Lab: 1. Using the language lab is an important tool for the improving of comprehension and pronunciation. 2. It is the student s responsibility to know the lab schedule and your personal obligation to plan accordingly. III. Absences: (Homework): Turn in your homework on the day requested. 1. The student must have an excused absence. Bring the absent slip for teacher s signature before class. Write down all your missed work during your absence. It is your responsibility to see your teacher for help and make up work. 2. The student will have the same amount of days absent to complete the missed work. IV. Tardiness: After the bell rings the student must be in his seat. If not, he will be marked tardy. All procedures or tardiness will follow the school policy. V. Classroom Policies: 1. You are expected to be in class on time and be ready with all material for class. 2. Respect for teachers and classmates, and no foul language. 3. No drinking or eating in class without permission. 4. Participate in an orderly fashion. If you have a question, raise your hand and wait until you are recognized. 5. No sleeping or doing assignments for another class. 6. No inglés, por favor. If you speak English in class, your grade will be lowered by the end of the quarter. Consequences: 1. Verbal warning 2. Assign a detention. It must be served on the day or the next day the teacher designates. 3. Referral and talk to counselor

8 4. Phone call to parent 5. Teacher, student, parent and counselor conference.