Syllabus for AP Spanish Language
2012-2013
ROBERT A. JENKINS, INSTRUCTOR
ROOM 237
804-354-6800 EXTENSION 3311
bjenkins@gsgis.k12.va.us
OFFICE ROOM 331. OFFICE HOURS: AVAILABLE UPON
REQUEST AND BY APPOINTMENT.
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
The prerequisite for this course is a grade of B or better in Pre-AP Spanish,
or teacher recommendation. Students enrolled in the AP level of Spanish
continue to approach proficiency through both oral and written methods of
communication. The aim of the course, conducted entirely in Spanish, is to
enable students to gain confidence in clearly expressing ideas orally and in
writing. Students develop the ability to describe, narrate, paraphrase,
compare and contrast ideas presented in a wide range of contexts and
settings through the study of the course themes, vocabulary and grammar
units, and course projects. Students develop advanced listening, speaking,
reading and writing skills, as all four components of language learning are
incorporated in to each and every class. Likewise, students focus on
developing their facility to express point of view, react, hypothesize,
synthesize, analyze, draw conclusions, and evaluate ideas presented in
different contexts . Finally, the ultimate goal of this course is to
prepare students for success on the AP Language Exam.
TEXTS: 1. Horizontes: Gramática y conversación. 4th edition,
Heinle & Heinle, (reference supplied by instructor).
2. Una vez más--un repaso completo de gramática avanzada.
Couch, McCann, Rodríguez-Walter & Rubio-Maroto, 2nd
ed., Pearson, 1993, (workbook fee paid in Pre-AP class).
3. Triángulo--A Propósito. Gatski & McMullan, 4th ed.,
Wayside Publishing, 2006, (workbook fee paid in Pre-AP).
4. Literatura y arte, (supplementary reading text). 8th
edition, Thomson/Heinle, 2004, (supplied by instructor).
Other references used in class:
5. 5 Steps to a 5: AP Spanish Language, 2008-2009, McGraw-
Hill, 2008.
6. Tertulia (AP exam practice for speaking comprehension),
2nd ed., Thomson/Heinle, 2001.
7. Español en vivo, Conversations with Native Speakers, Pilar
Piñar, Yale University Press, 2005.
8. Gramática para la composición, Segunda edición, Georgetown
University Press, Whitley & González, 2007.
9. Repaso (workbook), Glencoe, McGraw-Hill.
10. Advanced Spanish Grammar. Prado. Wiley, Inc., 2nd ed.,
1997.
11. Abriendo puertas—Tomo I & II—Antología de literatura en
español. Nextext. McDougal Littell, Inc., 2003.
12. El cuento hispánico—A Graded Literary Anthology. 6th ed.
McGraw-Hill.
13. AP Spanish Workbook. 2nd edition, Longman.
14. Abriendo paso. Revised edition, Heinle & Heinle.
15. Vistas—Introducción a la lengua española. 2nd edition,
Vistas Higher Learning, Boston; Blanco, Donley, 2005.
16. Galería. Nivel avanzado, Glencoe.
17. Conversation in Spanish-Points of Departure, 6th edition,
Heinle & Heinle, Schmidt-Cruz/Sedwick, 2001.
18. Various handouts, CDs, Internet sources, etc.
WEB PAGE: http://www.mwhs.gsgis.k12.va.us
MAJOR THEMES DISCUSSED:
1. Contemporary Life
2. Family and Community
3. Global Challenges
4. Personal and Public Identities
5. Science and Technology
6. The Arts
MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED:
1. Vocabulary: All topics covered in the Horizontes text and the Una vez más
and Triángulo workbooks; plus current events, technology,
and AP-related themes.
2. Grammar: All indicative and subjunctive moods are reviewed, plus all
other topics discussed in the text, Horizontes, related to
exercises included on the new format of the AP Exam. Also,
all concepts covered in the Una vez más and Triángulo
workbook editions will be presented.
3. Culture: Spain, Latin America: literary works, music, art, current
events, etc…. The goals and objectives of all reading
selections are to develop good analytical and synthesis
skills in the four main components of language-learning:
listening, speaking, reading and writing.
GRADING FORMAT/ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
50% TESTS (oral/written, 2-3 per marking period, major projects/essays)
25% OTHER WRITTEN EXPRESSION (quizzes, compositions, short essays,
listening comprehension, small projects, written work on oral
presentations, graded homework, etc.)
25% ORAL PROFICIENCY/HOMEWORK (daily participation, recorded
activities, directed response, reactions, presentations, debates,
text and workbook exercises, handouts, etc.)
GSGIS AP GRADING SCALE:
100-95 A+
94-90 A
89-85 B+
84-80 B
79-75 C+
74-70 C
69-65 D+
64-60 D
59-0 F
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
All students will follow the MLWGS student handbook and conduct guides.
Mutual respect is of utmost importance, and consequences will be dealt with
accordingly. Tardiness is not tolerated, and make-up work (for excused
absences only) should be completed in a timely manner and on an efficient
basis. Late work is not accepted. The website for the class is updated
weekly, and students should refer to it on a consistent basis. The web page
is also linked to the school’s homepage. Likewise, the teacher can be
contacted by e-mail. Therefore, work should be completed on the assigned
date. Students should not hesitate to seek additional assistance when
needed.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Each student should come prepared daily with the necessary items of pencils,
pens and loose paper. Additionally, each student should have a 3-ring
binder/notebook, a good Spanish/English dictionary (the bigger, the better!),
and consider purchasing a personal cassette voice recorder. This is certainly
optional but strongly encouraged. Smartphones with the capability to record
your voice are allowed. Students should bring texts and workbooks to every
class period. Also, students are strongly encouraged to participate in the
National Spanish Exam in March, for which there is a small fee.
TECHNICAL TRANSLATORS:
Using an online translator or App to manipulate text into the Spanish language
- be it a sentence, paragraph or essay - is considered an honor code violation
in this class unless specific permission has been granted otherwise by the
teacher. Online dictionaries such as wordreference.com are permissible. Any
suspected violation will be referred to the Honor Council.
--I look forward to a very exciting and rewarding year! Sr. Jenkins
“I have read and understood this syllabus.”
Student pledge/signature:________________________________________________
Parent pledge/signature:_________________________________________________
