COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
Communication is the overarching goal of world language instruction. This course will help you progress toward competence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish as you also gain knowledge of the Spanish culture. The key objective of the course is to develop your language proficiency in Spanish, from an Intermediate Mid to an Intermediate High level, according to the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Descriptors for Language Learners.
Students at the Intermediate High proficiency level express meaning in a variety of contexts by creating with the language, easily combining and recombining what they know, what they read, and what they hear in a mixture of sentences and connected discourse. Intermediate High students are able to understand information from connected statements in oral or written sources. Intermediate High students are generally understood by listeners and readers unaccustomed to dealing with language learners. Intermediate High students are consistently successful when performing Intermediate-level tasks. Intermediate High students show evidence of Advanced Low proficiency but lack consistency.
You are expected to participate actively in all class activities as you interact meaningfully with classmates and develop communicative strategies through ample opportunities to engage in conversations, to present information to an audience, and to interpret culturally authentic materials.
https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/guidelines/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines2012.pdf
USE OF THE TARGET LANGUAGE (SPANISH) IN THE CLASSROOM:
Research indicates that effective language instruction must provide significant levels of meaningful communication* and interactive feedback in the target language in order for students to develop language and cultural proficiency. ACTFL therefore recommends that language educators and their students use the target language as exclusively as possible (90% plus) at all levels of instruction during instructional time and, when feasible, beyond the classroom.
COURSE MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
AP Classroom and AP Course materials
Course Overview https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-spanish-language-and-culture-course-overview.pdf?course=ap-spanish-language-and-culture
We will also use authentic videos, audios, and reading materials from Spanish-speaking countries.
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION:
The learning virtual platform for this course will be Canvas. As a result you need to make sure that you are keeping up with class assignments by checking your Canvas calendar on a daily basis. All relevant information, study resources, and assignments will be posted on that platform. We will also be using other applications for class activities, assignments, and assessment. It would be helpful to have the following apps on your device: Google Docs, Slides, Nearpod, Flipgrid, Canva, Loom, Quizizz, Kahoot, Quizlet, etc.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
Chromebook-charged
Spiral Notebook
Pens/Pencils
Highlighters
CLASSROOM SUPPLIES (Pick 2 out of the list to bring for classroom use):
Tissues
Expo Markers
Sticky notes
Index Cards
GRADING POLICY:
AP SPANISH 4-LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Minor Summative Assessments 30%
Major Summative Assessments 70%
Major Summative Assessments: are designed to evaluate understanding. They take place at the end of a learning unit incorporating what has previously been evaluated in the unit's minor assessments. These include Unit tests, essays, projects, presentations, guided conversations (for example interviews or simulated conversations), and comprehension or interpretation of texts or images.
Minor Summative Assessments: are designed to check for understanding, addressing a smaller set of learning objectives as compared to major assessments. These include quizzes, brief written assignments, guided conversations (brief interviews or questioning), and comprehension or interpretation of texts or images.
Formative Assessments: will be given continually. They are for practice so that the student and teacher can gage the success of the learning. This practice is “designed to provide direction for improvement and/or adjustment of teaching and learning activities for individual students or for a whole class.” Formative assessments are not reflected in the final grade. These include in-class practice, out-of-class practice, comprehension checks, self-evaluations, and exit tickets.
Non-Academic Work/Behaviors: Work or behaviors that are not supported by the standards are considered non-academic. There have been many misunderstandings regarding what this means for students at Braswell. Students will still have homework. Students will still have due dates and deadlines. Students’ actions that impede the learning process such as: not completing assignments/not participating in class, chronically turning in late work, etc. may be met with disciplinary measures that include, but are not limited to: Parent contact, mandatory tutorials, referral to Assistant Principal, etc.
REASSESSMENT:
A student may reassess a major summative assessment only one time and after the student has demonstrated new learning to justify a reassessment. This acknowledges that students process and master material at different rates. The teacher will make sure students know the specific activities and relearning that will need to take place in order to reassess. The reassessment must be completed within four school days of receiving grade. The highest grade achievable for a reassessment is a 90%. Semester Exams will not qualify for reassessment.
MAKE-UP WORK:
You are responsible for any work missed and arranging a time to take major and minor assessments.
It is your responsibility to check on assignments the day you return from an absence. All homework/handouts will be available on CANVAS. If you need a hard copy, please see her before or after school.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Cheating will not be tolerated in or outside the classroom. If a student is caught cheating, such student’s parents will be contacted and the student will receive a MSG for that assignment until the student comes during tutorials to complete assignments. This applies to all assignments (major, minor).
RULES AND CLASS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES:
All school rules should be observed (consult your Student Handbook for more information).
Follow appropriate STUDENT DRESS CODE.
Follow the discipline policy posted in STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
All PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES should be TURNED OFF DURING CLASS, and MUST be placed in the area designated by the teacher.
No food and/or drinks are allowed in class (including gum and candy).
BE RESPONSIBLE for your behavior and your work and therefore are accountable for it…reduce the risk of getting in trouble.
You are in control of making acceptable choices. You are competent to make these choices wisely.
You are responsible for what happens as a result of your choices.
Chromebooks/personal computers are considered a classroom tool. The teacher will indicate the appropriate activities and time to use it.
BE RESPECTFUL with your teachers and with other students…reuse your good manners.
Arrive ON TIME to class. You will be considered TARDY only the first 15 minutes of class. After that, you will be considered absent.
Listen when somebody else is speaking (don’t get distracted or distract others during instruction).
Listen carefully when an instruction is given.
Be polite. Only good comments about yourself and others are allowed.
Class will be dismissed by the instructor. Do not pack your things or get up if you have not been dismissed.
BE RESOURCEFUL…recycle what your already know and use it!
Take an active role in your learning.
Use ALL resources available (I don’t know is not a High-School student answer).
Feel free to ASK the instructor when you don’t understand something.
Come prepared with materials every day and make sure you are ready BEFORE class starts.
We all make mistakes…learn from them.
Consequences for not following these guidelines include but are not limited to verbal warning, parent conferences, teacher detention, referral for continued violation.