West Prep

AP Spanish Language and Culture

Syllabus
2014-2015


I. Course Description

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is a rigorous course taught exclusively in
Spanish that requires students to improve their proficiency across the three modes of
communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. The course focuses on the
integration of authentic resources including online print, audio, and audiovisual resources,
as well as traditional print resources that include literature, essays, and magazine and
newspaper articles with the goal of providing a rich, diverse learning experience. Students
communicate using rich, advanced vocabulary and linguistic structures as they build
proficiency in all modes of communication toward the pre-advanced level. This course will
be taught in units, focusing on the following six themes:
Beauty and Aesthetics

Contemporary Life

Families and Communities

Global Challenges

Personal and Public Identities

Science and Technology

This course fulfills either one of the elective credits or the Arts/Humanities credit
required for high school graduation.

II. Course Objectives

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course provides students with opportunities to
demonstrate their proficiency at the Intermediate to Pre-Advanced range in each of the three
modes of communication described in the ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language
Learners. (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational)
Students are expected to:
Engage in spoken interpersonal communication
Mr. Urry
(702) 799-
3120
ext: 3812
burry@interact.ccsd.net
srurry.weebly.com
Engage in written interpersonal communication
Synthesize information from a variety of authentic audio, visual, and audiovisual
resources
Synthesize information from a variety of authentic written and print resources
Plan, produce, and present spoken presentational communications
Plan and produce written presentational communications.

III. Classroom Rules
1. Theres one rule in my class. RESPECT. Respect for teacher, others, school property,
and yourself. What does that mean?
- Respect for teacher: I put a lot of time and effort into each lesson to make it worth
your time. please show me respect by coming to class ready to learn and participate.
Listen when Im speaking and answer questions when I ask them.
- Respect for others: No swearing, name-calling or making fun of others. Were all
here to promote a positive learning environment and build one another up, not tear
each other down. Listen when others are answering questions, and be a good team
player when working in groups. And dont distract others from learning.
- Respect for school property: Because of the mess/stains it causes, no food or
drink (other than water) in class, unless for teacher approved class activities.
Desks/other class property stay in the class at all times and must not be damaged.
- Respect for self: Knowing Spanish is one of the most useful tools you can take
from your high school education. It opens doors in the world for employment and
other opportunities. Respect yourself and your future by actively participating and
doing the work yourself (no cheating) so that you can take this tool with you when
you graduate.
- The rule of respect goes both ways. I will do my best to show you the respect you
deserve as a young adult and student in my class. If you ever feel I disrespect you in
anyway, please approach me and let me know!


IV. Class Participation

Participation is an essential element of success in the Spanish classroom. You cant learn to
communicate in a foreign language unless you listen to it, speak it, and pay attention! Due
to the importance of participation in daily class, you are given a participation grade out of
100 points per semester. If you pay attention and actively participate, youll get the full 100
points. If youre not paying attention or participating then you may lose some of those
points.

V. Absence and Tardy Policy
Tardies: You are considered tardy if you are not in class when the bell rings. I understand
that you and a teacher/administrator may need to discuss something after a class, which
may cause you to be late to my class. If thats the case, have that teacher/administrator sign
a note stating thats the case and you wont be considered late. Otherwise, it will be
considered unexcused.
Absences: Students who are at least 30 minutes tardy will be considered absent. It is the
students responsibility to approach the teacher to learn what they missed when they were
absent. The student/guardian may look online on the Mr Urrys classroom website
(srurry.weebly.com) to see what assignments have been given and when tests/quizzes will
be approaching, as well as other important class announcements.

VI. Homework
1. Students will complete a history/culture research assignment every week on a
previously selected Spanish-speaking country. History/cultural topics will be assigned at
the beginning of each week and each student will select a Friday during the semester to
present their findings to the class for a presentation grade.
2. Students will work on various written activities/projects in class that may need to be
completed at home and turned in the next day if not finished during class time.

VII. Class Materials
1. Notebook/Binder with lined paper (Notebooks will be graded at the end of each quarter.
Keep pages and activities dated and in order)
2. Pencil and/or pen
3. Other materials will be provided in class
4. If the use of a textbook is needed outside of school hours, the student must come
before/after school to use it. Textbooks will not be eligible for checkout.




VIII. Grading Policy
Tests/Quizzes: 40% (Tests/Quizzes may not be re-taken)
Proficiency Evaluations (Presentations, Projects, Essays, etc): 30%
Classroom Assignments/Homework: 20%
Participation: 10%

















A+: 97-100% B+: 87-89% C+: 77-79% D+: 67-69% F: 0-59%
A: 93-96% B: 83-86% C: 73-76% D: 63-66%
A-: 90-92% B-: 80-82% C-: 70-72% D-: 60-62%


I have read the Course Expectations and understand what is expected of my child.
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________Date _________________________

I have read the Course Expectations and understand what is expected of me.
Student Signature __________________________________Date _________________________