Course Syllabus

      

        Español AP ~ Señora O’Neill

                                                                      Aula 242    

                                                    Email:  oneills@wellesleyps.org

 



A) El curso: The Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture is a rigorous course taught exclusively in Spanish that requires students to improve their proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational. The course focuses on the integration of authentic resources including online print, audio, and audiovisual resources, as well as traditional print resources that include literature, essays, and magazine and newspaper articles with the goal of providing a rich, diverse learning experience. Students communicate using rich, advanced vocabulary and linguistic structures as they build proficiency in all modes of communication toward the pre-advanced level as defined in the AP Performance Levels and the ACTFL Performance Guidelines.

Here is the ACTFL  Can-do Bench Marks - This is our year-end goal!!!






Organización:

The AP Course is divided into six thematic units: Los desafíos mundiales, La Belleza y La estética, Las familias y Las comunidades, Las identidades personales y públicas, La vida contemporánea y La ciencia y La tecnología. Every five to six weeks the thematic unit will change but a focus on the interconnectedness of each theme will be stressed. Cultural elements are integrated into each unit and activities are directed with those cultural connections in mind. All discussion of topics in Spanish is a requirement of the course. In addition, it is expected that students have had exposure to advanced language structures in the courses leading up to the AP Spanish Language and Culture course. However, a review of mechanics is done within the contextual framework of each unit. Within the period for each unit, students will be required to complete and submit an informal writing sample, a formal persuasive essay, a recorded oral presentation, and/ or listening comprehension evaluations in addition to a vocabulary quiz. The teacher assesses students progressively, allowing more opportunities for self-editing and teacher-student conferencing before assigning grades during the first semester and less time for this during second semester. Supplementary readings, songs, videos or films are also included where possible and used to enhance student interest of the main topic, as well as to reinforce and integrate the three modes of communication and the cultural component. 



B)Para ser exitoso/a en la clase de Español AP: 

I) Have a good attitude about learning, meaning you want to learn and make an effort to get better!

II) Be organized with your materials (3 ring binder for all handouts)

III) Exercise good study skills – constantly review what we do in class not just for tests/quizzes but daily!

IV) Always speak in Spanish!!!

V) You need to make español part of your daily life!! The more Español you speak, hear, read, and watch, the more comfortable you will feel with the language.

VI) Tell me when you need help, feel confused, need something repeated, etc… I want to help you understand, improve and reach your full potential!



C) Expectativas

I.  Show respect and be kind.

II. In this class electronic devices (phones, ipods, etc…)must be off and out of sight. 


III. You need to keep your materials - study packets, quizzes, and tests in a 2 inch Spanish binder and you must bring it to every class. Don’t throw anything away!!! This course is cumulative! 


IV. There is some kind of homework every time that the class meets.(written and/or reviewing/studying)  As a rule, you should spend a minimum of 30- 60 minutes per day reviewing what was covered that day in addition to what has previously been presented. This means that if it is completed you will receive full credit. If it is partially completed or not completed at all you will receive a ZERO! Homework is what allows you to achieve steady improvement in this class so do it!


V. Regular attendance, being on time, speaking in Spanish, completing all assignments on time, voluntarily answering questions, gesturing, acting in stories, helping others to learn, and contributing new ideas will positively impact your grade in this class.


VI. Absences, tardiness, not speaking in Spanish, incomplete assignments, failure to make up work within 48 hours, not paying attention or not being on task, talking when inappropriate, distracting others, showing disrespect, sleeping, not bringing materials to class, not following directions, being passive and/or showing a lack of effort or interest will negatively impact your grade in this class.


It is in your best interest to be present in class each day and do all your homework! This class is preparing you for the AP test on martes, el 12 de mayo, 2020. 

 

D) Absences

In the event of an absence, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in class from your fellow classmates or Señora O’Neill and make up what you missed within 48 hours of your return to WHS.  Make up work will not be accepted after 48 hours.  Please write down the contact information for two other students in the class.


name________________________________name_________________________________

email/phone__________________________email/phone____________________________

 

E) Grading 

Grading in this class will be a 0-5 scale, 5 being the best grade! This is the same system that is used on the AP test.

Quizzes/Tests/ Projects All quizzes and tests include current and past material. 


Participation=classwork, oral participation, homework This grade is based on five rules:

    a. No English may be spoken in this classroom! (Unless preceded by “¿Cómo se dice… en español?)

    b. You must actively participate in every class.

    c. You must bring your materials, ie;  study packets, binder, pen/pencil, paper, etc… to every class.

    d. You must complete all assignments on time.

    e. You must make up all missed work within 48 hours.



* Article/Video presentations according to the unit of study: For each unit of study the students will present a brief written and oral summary of the article for the class and the importance in that particular country. They also need to pick out 5-10 key words/unknown words to present to the class. This should be no more than a 5 minute presentation in class. 


AP TEST: (Reference your Examen de Español AP)

Persuasive essay {Presentational Writing}– We will do at least 2 persuasive essays with 2 rewrites throughout the year – one per semester. In term 1, I will present models of a good essay before we start our practice. These essays will be performance test grades!!!

Cultural Comparison {Presentational Speaking} – We will do at least 3 cultural comparisons as evaluations this year – one per term. These cultural comparisons will each be a performance test grades and will be done in the language lab.

Directed Conversations: We will practice these frequently in the language lab. We will have 3-4 evaluations as performance test grades.

Email: We will practice this section in class. We will have at least 1-2 performance evaluations on this section of the AP test.


All other parts of the AP Test will be integrated into the daily lessons plans. We will practice each section and then you will receive quiz grades for each formal practice.{ie; listening sections/graphs with questions, reading selections/ with graphs with questions}

 



              Term Grade Categories and Weights  + Sequential Term Weights for the Year



      Classical and Modern Language Grading Policy 2019-2020

 

Achievement 

Assessments

         25%

-Vocabulary and grammar evaluations.

-Memorized learned material.(forms,rules, vocabulary)

-Completion of homework.

-Readiness for class.(on time with needed materials)

Performance 

Assessments

       75%

-Presentational evaluations: One-way communication using productive skills of speaking or writing. (for example: monologues or presentations)

-Interpersonal evaluations: Two-way communication between individuals using receptive skills (listening or reading) and productive skills (speaking or writing). Meaning is negotiated between two or more individuals. (conversations or  written exchanges)

-Interpretive evaluations: One way communication using receptive skills (listening to audios or reading stories or articles)

-Real-life situations:This is the use of Spanish in class with the instructor and with other students. Students must show use of concepts and vocabulary learned in the class during the year. (ie; Participation paquet)











Term 1 - 14%

Term 2 - 22%

Term 3 - 29%

Term 4 - 35%

              100%

 

Powerschool Grade Scale:



F) Immersion Policy: This is “IMPRESCINDIBLE” in this class!!!!

This class is conducted in Spanish. You are required to use Spanish at all times. In order to help you maintain that expectation I have “scaffolding” in place. 


I) “Survival Expressions” that can help you get by if you draw a blank. 

II)  “Agendas” – I will have these everyday so you can always follow the lesson – what page we are on, what activity, what the objective is, etc…

III) “Vocabulary dictionary”  - When you ask ¿Cómo se dice…en español? You will need to have a consistent place to write that word or expression for easy reference. 

      Do not forget this, as it is a major part of your daily participation grade and formal evaluations!!!

The teacher and students use Spanish exclusively in class. Student to teacher interactions outside of class take place in Spanish at least 95% of the time.











Acknowledgement


We understand the expectations, absence and grading policies in this class.


_________________________                                                  _________________________

Student signature                                                                              date

Parent/ guardian signature                                                              date



 

Metas para esta clase:

 

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Language Laboratory Rules

 

 

  1. You will always follow Señora O’Neill’s instructions in the Laboratory.

 

  1. When entering the Laboratory, leave the backpacks and cell phones by the door. You are only allowed to keep a PENCIL and an ERASER. Pens are not allowed.

 

  1. If you need to “ir a los servicios” you must log in your computer first.

 

  1. Neither food, nor drinks, nor gum is allowed in the Laboratory.

 

  1. Sit in the seat you are assigned on the first day.

 

  1. You will treat with respect the equipment you are using in the Laboratory. Inform Señora O’Neill if there is any writing on your desk.

 

  1. Before you leave the Laboratory you will make sure there is no trash around your seat.

 

 

Agreement

 

 

 

_________________________                                          _______________________                                                 

Student signature                                                               Date

 

 

 

 















Remind: This is a website that all students in my class NEED to join and which allows me to TEXT you all reminders about homework and evaluations.  Students have really appreciated this element of my class and homework completion has been much higher than in past years! It also allows you to text me! This gives us better communication!!!





  Bloque rojo

 

1)Please take out your cell-phone.

2) The number you are texting to is  81010

3) The message is  @ghf347a








Second language acquisition is a marathon, not a sprint.




Be patient with yourself and be diligent with this beautiful language.

                Señora O’Neill







Course Summary:

Date Details Due