Español V AP

ESPAÑOL V AP

Spanish Language and Culture

Profesora/ Doña C. Quijano

Aula 303

Welcome to AP Spanish V at Westhill High School. You have qualified for this class based on your grades in previous years and have chosen to take this course with the understanding and agreement of the contents of this syllabus.

The philosophy of the LOTE Department at Westhill is to learn to communicate with others who speak the language, to understand the language, and to understand the cultures of that language. The class is structured so these goals can be met.

As required by the College Board, Spanish will be used exclusively in class by the teacher and students at all times. The use of English is not acceptable. AP Spanish Language and Culture is equivalent to a 300-Level college course and will be treated as such. All students enrolled in AP Spanish will be expected to produce high quality work on a consistent basis. You must not only be well-prepared for class, but you must also have a high level of motivation and commitment, as well as sufficient time to prepare out-of-class assignments.

GRADING

  • Participation 30%
  • Tests and Projects 30%
  • Quizzes 30%
  • Homework 10%

PARTICIPATION

  • In AP Spanish, participation in the target language is required and essential for success in class and on the exam. Students are expected to have ownership of their participation and embrace the use of Spanish in class at all times.
  • Only Spanish is to be spoken in class and with the Spanish teachers.
  • The familiar tracking of participation with checks is not used. Because this is a college-level course, students are responsible for taking initiative in class to speak and contribute. Students participation grade will reflect this effort as such.
  • Sitting passively in class cannot happen. TALK. TALK. TALK.
  • Attendance and Absenteeism: It is understood that there will be conflicts throughout the year, especially as seniors. With that in mind, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the teacher of any known absences ahead of time. This also includes seeing the teacher on the same day prior to or after early dismissals or late arrivals.

TESTS AND PROJECTS

  • All upcoming tests and projects will be announced ahead of time.
  • Students can expect at least two tests per quarter.
  • Tests will reflect tasks that the students are expected to perform on the AP Exam while assessing content learned. This may include but is not limited to: Persuasive Essays, Two-minute oral presentation, Multiple-choice reading and/or listening comprehension, E-Mail, recorded simulated conversations, etc.
  • Projects will be assigned throughout the year and graded with the same rigor as tests. They may include but are not limited to: Debates, research on historical figures, student-lead lessons, role-play, video presentations, cultural comparisons, etc.

QUIZZES

  • All quizzes will be announced ahead of time.
  • Assessments will include but are not limited to: writing, vocabulary, grammar topics, cultural topics, listening, speaking (presentations, recordings, one on ones). Most will reflect what students will see on the AP Exam.
  • Expect at least one or two assessments a week.

HOMEWORK

  • Students are expected to spend 30 minutes daily for assignments, practice, and study. Plan accordingly.
  • Homework assignments may include but are not limited to: grammar practice, reading assignments, journal entries, e-mail responses, Google Voice, critical responses and comparisons, research, etc.
  • Homework will be essential for preparation of the AP Exam and for the proper participation and growth in class. Every assignment will be checked, handed in, graded, or used in class the following day for an activity. The act of not doing homework or doing it in an incomplete or inferior manner is not acceptable.
  • Homework is due at the beginning of class. No homework will be accepted late. Students may be asked to stay IA to complete any assignment with my guidance so that they may stay on track.

IA

  • Students are encouraged to stay IA for homework help, clarification, or test and quiz preparation. My availability will be posted in class, which is from 2:15-2:55, daily, unless there is a building or department meeting.
  • Students should expect to use this time as well as Study Halls, or Unstructured periods to work on long-term projects and assignments.

SUPPLIES

  • 2 inch 3-ring binder
  • 5 dividers
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Pen or pencil to class daily

GOOGLE CLASSROOM & TWITTER & INSTAGRAM

  • Documents and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom throughout the year. The students will be made aware of this ahead of time, please familiarize yourself with the page and consider downloading the app to your smartphone.
  • Students are encouraged but not required by any means to follow @espanolQ on Twitter and Instagram. These are used to expose current events in the Spanish-speaking world to the students and also provide reminders as they pertain to class. Again, this is a supplementary tool and is not required.

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAM

  • The exam is administered the first week in May. It is approximately 3 hours long and includes both a 95 minute multiple-choice section and an 85 minute free-response section. Each section accounts for 50% of the student's overall grade.
  • Section I, Multiple-Choice, Part A: Interpretive Communication of Print Texts. 30 questions, approximately 40 minutes.
  • Section I, Multiple-Choice, Part B: Interpretive Communication of Print and Audio Texts (combined) followed by Audio Texts only. 35 questions, approximately 55 minutes.
  • Section II, Free Response, Interpersonal Writing: E-mail reply. Read an e-mail and write a reply. 15 minutes to read and write an appropriate response.
  • Section II, Free Response, Persuasive Essay: Approximately 55 minutes to interpret 3 sources and write a five-paragraph essay with access to two print sources and notes from one audio source.
  • Section II, Free Response, Interpersonal Speaking, Conversation: The student is given an outline of a conversation then must engage in the conversation by responding to five prompts. Students are given 20 seconds to record each response.
  • Section II, Free Response, Presentational Speaking, Cultural Comparison: The student is given one prompt about a cultural topic. He must prepare and then present an oral presentation in which he compares and contrasts perspectives or attitudes about this cultural topic in his own community with those in a Spanish-speaking community which he is familiar. Students are given 4 minutes to read the prompt and prepare their presentation then two minutes to present and record.

FINAL PROJECT

  • Upon completion of the AP Exam, students will work on an intensive final project that will consist of in class and out of class work. This project counts for the student’s local final exam grade, or, 20% of their overall grade for the year.
  • Throughout the project students will have to reach certain benchmarks, which will count for participation, homework, and/or quiz grades depending on the task. Spanish remains to be spoken exclusively. The final project is presented in class.