MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
ADVANCED PLACEMENT(AP) SPANISH
SYLLABUS
School Year 2013-2014
I. COURSE OVERVIEW
In this AP course, students will develop a strong command of the Spanish language refining
the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This course is taught in Spanish, students
will learn the language in an atmosphere of immersion. This course will facilitate an environment
empowering students to achieve their full potential in second language acquisition. Exposure to
quality, authentic, and level appropriate audio and video recordings will enhance students’ aural
comprehension and interpretation of the Spanish language. In addition, they will be exposed to the
world of literature and current events of Spanish-speaking countries through authentic written
texts, including newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings
that develop students’ reading and comprehension abilities. Tasks will include frequent writing
and integration of skills with a rigorous review of grammatical structures. Students will be called
upon to exhibit writing samples involving compare and contrast, persuasion, analysis, and
research. To aid in the development of speaking, oral presentations involving various topics and
themes will be assigned throughout the course. Different of resources will be used as necessary to
facilitate the learning process. Students will be vigorously monitored through weekly assessments
designed to identify students’ strengths and areas in which improvement is needed. Exposure to
cultural perspectives throughout the Spanish-speaking world will be integrated as a component of
each unit.
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
WRITING Students will express ideas accurately and fluently in writing by writing
essays that vary in length (no more than 2 pages) on current events as well as personal
experiences and situations that occur on a daily life. Students improve skills through:
1.) In Class Essay Writings – There will be 2 in class essay writings per Marking
Period. Students will write a formal, well-organized analytical, persuasive, or
compare and contrast essay of at least 200 words on an assigned topic in reaction
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
to a text or information discussed or reviewed. Evaluation will be performed
through the use of a rubric; components include vocabulary, grammatical
structure, spelling, and message content.
2.) Other Writing Tasks – There are weekly journal entries. There will also be
periodic creative writing assignments.
Note: In their writing, students will be able to implement a variety of grammatical
structures using proper concordance (subject-verb, subject-adjective, gender-noun
agreement, tense agreement, sequence of tenses), correct mechanics (punctuation,
accentuation, syntax, orthography), and superior language control. Improve
knowledge of grammar through:
a. Focusing on problematic areas such as: indicative vs. subjunctive, ser vs.
estar, preterit vs. imperfect, compound tenses, commands, irregular and
spelling change verbs, nouns and their modifiers, direct and indirect object
pronouns, relative pronouns, and adjective placement. Other syntactic
constructions to be reviewed include: passive voice, reflexives, making
comparisons, por vs. para, prepositions, transitions, and accentuation.
b. Implementing/synthesizing a variety of grammatical and syntactic
structures in speaking and writing.
SPEAK Students will be able to speak with fluency, maintaining accuracy in
structure and syntax, using a rich vocabulary and appropriate pronunciation and
intonation. Students will improve speaking skills through:
a. Oral presentations on a given theme. There is at one major assessment per
unit that includes an oral presentation.
c. Video projects based on acting out a scene.
d. Partnered interviews.
e. Informal “Charlas” involving thematic vocabulary taken from textbook
chapters.
f. Daily participation in class discussions in the target language.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
READ . Broaden reading comprehension through the use of current events, articles
from authentic newspapers, magazines, and online resources. Also included are
classical literary pieces.
a. Weekly reading focus on current events and text analysis.
b.
Students will read and analyze authentic literary prose and poetry.
c.
Students will use various reading strategies and vocabulary knowledge
when investigating various topics to ultimately create and present a
synthesis.
UDERSTAND. Students will understand the spoken language through participating
in conversations both formally and informally.
g. Students will listen to auditory narrations from native speakers.
h. Students will interpret spoken material using a variety of regional dialects.
Students will become familiar with pronunciation, dialects, and aural
syntax.
i. Students will listen to narratives and dialogues to make inferences,
predictions, and support opinions.
j. Periodic listening texts will be administered via listening to native
speakers on a BBC Mundo en Español website.
k. Students will interact with native speakers from foreign countries via
Skype.
CULTURE. Students will expand their knowledge and understanding of the practices,
perspectives, and products of Spanish and Hispanic cultures. Knowledge of Hispanic
and Spanish cultures will be enriched through:
a. Discussing literary and cultural topics, current events, and personal
experiences.
b. Incorporating culture and other skills learned. Culture will be integrated
throughout the year, connected meaningfully to reading, writing,
listening, and speaking skills.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
III. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
AP Spanish Texts / Resources:
Texts:
1. Avancemos 4. McDougal Littell Ana C. Jarvis, Raquel Lebredo (Provided by the school)
2. AP Spanish Preparing for the Language Exam. Diaz, Leicher-Prieto and, Nissenberg
(Student’s responsibility to purchase)
3. Triángulo. Gatski & McMullan (Optional; Highly recommended)
4. Cajas de Cartón. Juan Jimenez (Optional; Highly recommended)
5. A good bilingual dictionary such as The University of Chicago Spanish Dictionary ,
Oxford New Spanish Dictionary or Harper Collins Spanish Dictionary
Resources:
BBC en Español (Audio/Reading)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/news/
Radio Naciones Unidas (Audio)
http://www.un.org/radio/es/
CNN en Español
http://cnn.com/espanol/
Univisión
http://www.univision.com/
Ecos Magazine
http://ecos-online.de/audio/
Nuevos Horizontes
http://www.nuevoshorizontes.org/
Periódicos de España
http://wwwprensaescrita.com/espana.php
Periódicos de Hispanoamérica
http://www.prensaescrita.com/america.php
Grammar / AP practice activities (Audio, Written, Reading)
http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/SLC/index.php
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
GRADE DISTRIBUTION and GRADING SCALE: Grades will be calculated on a
percentage basis. The grade will be based on quizzes, oral presentations, written assignments,
participation, classwork, homework, midterm and unit exams.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION
GRADING SCALE
Quizzes, Oral presentations, and Written
Assignments (2)
20%
Participation and classwork
Preparing for the AP Exam (HW)
15%
15%
Unit Exams
35%
Midterm
15%
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
98%-100%
92%-97%
90%-91%
86%- 89%
82%- 85%
81%- 80%
76%- 79%
72% -75%
71%- 70%
65% -69%
0% -64%
With regard to homework assignments, students are not allowed to use computer-assisted
translation or seek outside help in any form to complete their work. In other words, the writing is
to be entirely their own work (words and ideas). If students are using material produced by another
person under any circumstances, students must acknowledge it. Any outside help is considered
unacceptable collaboration and will be dealt with accordingly.
Class Requirements:
1. Students must be punctual to class.
2. Students must be prepared with textbook, notebook and pen.
3. Students must complete all homework.
4. Students must participate in class activities.
5. Students must follow teacher instructions.
Class Rules
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Raise your hand for permission to talk
3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat
4. Respect others and their property.
5. Students must refrain from eating or drinking in the classroom
6. Hats are not allowed in the class.
7. THE USE OF CELL PHONES OR IPODS IS PROHIBITED IN CLASS. Items will also be
taken away.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ACADEMY FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Teacher: Mr. Nava
Year: 2013-2014
Course: AP Spanish
I have been explained and/or read and understand the course objectives, requirements, expected
student behavior and consequences for infractions.
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