AP Spanish Language and Culture Instructor: Mrs. Angélica Meza Contact Information: ameza@sjhsknights.com (preferred) or (805) 937-2038 ext. 107 Office Hours: On Campus 7:00am-3:30pm; 6 & 7 Teaching Textbooks: All books must be etext with Supersite *Temas: AP Spanish Langauge and Culture, de Parthena Draggett, Cole Conlin, Max Ehrsam, Elizabeth Millán *AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Preparation de Jorge Frisancho, María R. Redman, Marta Lucía Restrepo Bravo Additional Course Materials: Blue or Black pen, #2 pencil, 1 colored pen (red) Composition Notebook 9 ¾x7 ½ college rule Loose binder paper High recommended that you organize all your notes and handouts in a designated 3 ring binder and that you bring it to class every day. I will not check your binder but I do expect you to be prepared and keep everything necessary. Course Description The AP Spanish Language course develops language skills in reading, writing, listening, comprehension and speaking that can be applied to various activities and situations. The course will be conducted almost exclusively in Spanish to promote a consistent practice of the Spanish language with the teacher and among the students. Students will develop a strong command of the Spanish language through quality, authentic, and level-appropriate audio and video recordings. Authentic written texts, including newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts and other nontechnical writings will be
utilized to expose students to the literature and current events of Spanish-speaking countries and develop students reading and comprehension abilities. This course is intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture Exam which ALL students enrolled in the class are REQUIRED to take on Tuesday, May 4, 2017. AP Spanish Language is an intense fifth semester college level course which it is taught and graded accordingly. In order to be successful students must be willing to immerse themselves into the language and culture during class and out of class. I highly encourage students to see me after school or before school for any questions on the material, lectures, etc. I am here to help you in any way that is feasible. Course Objectives Students will be involved in daily casual conversations and formal discussions to improve their interpersonal communication skills in Spanish. Students will explore and expand their knowledge of culture from Spanish-speaking through literary discussions, cultural topics, current events and personal experiences. Opportunities will be presented for students to connect the knowledge obtained from reading, writing, listening and speaking activities. Throughout the year students will complete assignments comparing a language and culture of their native language and the Spanish language in the classroom and in the community. Student will be required to provide evidence of using the target language in real-life settings in the community. Classroom Policies and Procedure Please note: All students are expected to follow ALL policies as stated in The Shield. Classroom Etiquette and Expectations Life is full of expectation, rules, and etiquette that you learn as you grow. Contrary to what you may believe it helps create order, therefore the following are a few things that you will need to follow during this school year in this class.
1. NO cell phones or any other electronic device other than IPAD s for school appropriate activities. 2. Speak Spanish as soon as you walk in the door. 3. Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings. 4. Bring books and all other necessary academic equipment daily. 5. No food or drinks in the classroom. Water in a closed container is ok. 6. Treat others with respect and Christian courtesy. 7. No hats, caps, visors, hoods or dark glasses may be worn in classrooms. 8. When prayer begins you are to stop activity, stay quiet until the very end. 9. Your instructor will release you not the bell or prayer. 10. Arrive to class prepared. Bathroom Procedure Students will be permitted to visit bathroom/water break 3 times during semester without loss of points. 5 points will be deducted on the 4 th and on. Locker visits is an automatic loss of point. For emergency situation please let me know ASAP. Absences It is the student s responsibility to obtain missed assignments from class website and turn in according to Shield page 19. If more time is needed student must arrange due date with instructor. Five points per day will be deducted per day late after a week. Pre-Arranged Absences, Early outs, Off campus appointments See The Shield page 19. Tardy policy For every 2 tardies students will be given a special assignment to complete within 3 day. If student does not turn in essay assignment on designated day a referral will be given as stated on page 20 and 25 in The Shield. After receiving 2 special assignments you will receive a referral. Plagiarism Students are required to complete their own work on ALL assignments and test. Any form of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please review page 25-26 in the Shield for disciplinary consequence. IPAD IPAD use during class time is for class assignments, note taking and class activities only. If finished with work you cannot search the web or go on social media. Refer to page 46-49 in The Shield for appropriately use of the ipad and consequences if abused. SJHS Email You are required to use your SJHS email for any communication with me. I will only read email sent from your SJHS account. (Shield pg. 8)
Inappropriate Behavior Please never assume that I will validate your behavior because you think its ok. See The Shield for consequences. Chapter Test/Final Tests are announced in advanced. Tests will cover a chapter or unit per discretion of the instructor. All material presented from textbook, in class and assignments are valid material to be tested on. No study guide is given. Missed test must be made up within a week after school or before school. Grades A standard grading scale will be used. 98.5 to 100 = A+ 91.5 to 98.4 = A 89.5 to 91.4 = A- 87.5 to 89.4 = B+ 81.5 to 87.4 = B 79.5 to 81.4 = B- 77.5 to 79.4 = C+ 71.5 to 77.4 = C 69.5 to 71.4 = C- 67.5 to 69.4 = D+ 61.5 to 67.4 = D 59.5 to 61.4 = D- Below 59.4 = F Each assignment will be placed into a weighted category as follows: 15% Writing -Email Reply, Essay, other misc. 15% Speaking/Listening -Simulated Conversation, Cultural Comparison, other 15% Reading Comprehension -Reading quizzes, AP Multiple Choice & other reading assignments 10% Participation/Projects 20% Unit Test 10% Quizzes 15% Final Exam *AP Spanish Rubrics from College Board will be used to grade assignments. Please note, grammar will always be a major grading component in EVERY assignment in addition to task completion. Writing Assignments All writing assignments must be handwritten and always in Spanish unless informed by the teacher. Extra Credit There will be NO extra credit opportunity during class time or as additional assignment. Please do not ask for extra credit.
Course Themes The course is structured around six themes to help students build interpersonal, presentational and interpretive skills. Each theme contains recommended context to further explore and better prepare each student. The following is the content we will be utilizing throughout the entire year. 1. Global Challenges / Los desafíos mundiales 2. Science and Technology / La ciencia y la tecnología 3. Contemporary Life / La vida contemporánea 4. Personal and Public Identity / Las identidades personales y publicas 5. Families and Communities / Las familias y las comunidades 6. Beauty and Aesthetics / La belleza y la estética Tentative Timeline August Tema 1 September Tema 2 October Tema 3 November Tema 4 January Tema 5 February Tema 5 March Tema 6 April Tema 6 December Tema 4 May AP Test/ Projects/Final Exam Movie and Food Days We will have two movie and two food days in the school year. Movie days will be in October and March. Food days will be in December and May. Please do not ask for more or when they will be. Constant questioning will result in removal of movie and/or food days. They are a reward and must be earned. It will be the teacher s discretion to have or not to have a movie or food day based on classroom behavior, cooperation, etc. Everything on the syllabus can be adjusted as needed per teacher s discretion. Students will be informed of any adjustments made.
AP Spanish Language and Culture Course Period: 7 By signing below indicates that a syllabus and an explanation of assignments was provided and the student understands what is expected of him/her in the A.P. Spanish Language and Culture course. Print Student Name Date Student s Signature By signing below indicates that a syllabus and an explanation of assignments was provided and the parent(s)/guardian(s) understand what is expected of the student in the A.P. Spanish Language and Culture course. Parent/Guardian s Signature Date Parent/ Guardian s Signature Date