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: (1)Familias en sociedades diferentes,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. About every 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 the 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 packets / handout or electronically )

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

IV) Always speak in Spanish in class! And find someone to practice with outside of class!

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! That is part of my job!! 

C) Expectativas

I.  Show respect and be kind.

II. In this class electronic devices must be off and out of sight, unless we are doing a specific activity on Canvas, Kahoot, etc..

III. You need to keep your materials - study packets, quizzes, and tests in a 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 !

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 miércoles, el 11 de mayo, 2022, @8am in the language lab. 

D) Absences

In the event of an absence, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in class by: emailing me, checking on Canvas, or talking to your fellow classmates to see what you missed. 

E) Grading for Performance evaluations!

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: 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 paquete)

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 2 cultural comparisons as evaluations this year – one per semester. These cultural comparisons will each be 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 2 evaluations as performance test grades.

Email: We will practice this section in class. We will have at least 1-2 formative performance evaluations on this section of the AP test. These will not be official grades in powerschool.

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

         10%

-Vocabulary and grammar evaluations.

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

-Completion of homework.

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

Performance 

Assessments

       90%

-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)

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.

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