AP Spanish Language & Culture
June 2014
Summer Reading Project
Dear AP Student:
Welcome to AP Spanish Language & Culture! This summer is when you’ll begin to develop the crucial skills
necessary for the AP class in preparation for September. It will be done through the application of reading and writing.
The book project explained on the next page will be instrumental for stronger comprehension, vocabulary and creative
writing skills in Spanish.
First, choose your summer reading selection from Mrs. Aloia’s class library (Rm. 228) by June 22 and follow the
steps for the book project to be completed by September 14. The summer work will help to strengthen your language
abilities and class expectations. The AP Spanish exam continues to place a high value on reading scores for
comprehension and interpretation. The course intends to incorporate the various modes of communication through six
themes: Family & Communities; Science &Technology; Beauty and the Arts; Contemporary Issues; Global Challenges;
and Personal & Public Identities.
The summer assignment will give you an idea of the integrated skills meant to help you progress in the language
and become accustomed to absorbing all types of reading materials. Please read below and on the next page for
information and pace yourself. I will be available to answer your questions till June 24 or email me at:
aaloia@mtplcsd.org. ¡Buen verano!
Sincerely,
Señora Aloia
AP Spanish Language & Culture
Objective of AP Spanish Language & Culture course:
The focus of the course practices the language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in ways to help
you succeed on the May assessment. The student will be expected to work rigorously to demonstrate one’s
communication skills in the interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes. The course strives to
strengthen your language ability at a higher level and to reinforce Spanish skills for the AP – but more
importantly it will enhance your college and work world experiences. So as to achieve this goal a variety of
language strategies and resources are practiced in class daily. The student will acquire:
 Increased vocabulary while reading for meaning in stories, contemporary cultural websites, a novel, a
play, and current authentic printed works: song lyrics, ads, bar graphs, comic strips, etc.
 sharper listening skills while absorbing cultural topics using technology, podcasts, audio files, film
segments, and music
 increased confidence and fluency in self-expression: oral presentations on topics of interest, informal
conversation, and recorded conversations and discourses
 increased skill in writing cohesively and comprehensibly: persuasive essay, journal thoughts, and
narratives
AP Spanish Language
Book Report
You will read one Spanish-language novel this summer.
You can make your choice from the library in our
classroom. It can be of your own choosing but it must be
pre-approved by the teacher to count as credit grade.
In your book report you must provide 1-4 below with the following information in Spanish:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A list of main characters with a short, clear description of each
The setting
A clear, brief summary of the plot (up to 100 words)
Your analysis of the main conflict and its resolution
Then….
5.
Write a 100 word response for ONE of the following questions (typed) in Spanish:
A.
How does this novel provide insight into an issue common to all people?
B.
How would you react in a similar situation?
C.
Would a person in the US react in the same way? If not, how does the culture
impact the decisions the character makes?
D.
What aspects of the novel struck you as extremely relevant to your life?
E.
What aspects of the novel seemed far-flung or even ridiculous to you and why?
F.
If you were a therapist for one of the characters, what would you recommend to
her/him as a way of dealing with problems?
…. AND A PRESENTATION TOPIC:
6.
Any one of the following supporting documents created by you will be presented to the
class in Spanish. Class presentations will be ready to take place the week of Sept. 16 for the
summer assignment credit.
A.
A representative song
B.
A representative poem
C.
A journal entry from the perspective of one character
D.
An obituary or eulogy to one character
E.
A passport or other official document of one character
F.
An argument with one of the characters in a written script
G.
Any other personal item relating to one character.
Your report will be presented LIVE in front of the class and can be in the form of a poster, a booklet, a
video, a commercial, etc. Feel free to be creative!
Do not procrastinate—this is not a small amount of work, and last-minute excuses will be viewed in
a dim light…
The book report is a major component of your MP 1 work for AP Spanish. It accounts for 25% of your
quarter grade, so take it seriously, pace yourself and—most importantly—have fun with it!