Sandra Maciel Franco, retired Spanish teacher and Modern Language Department Chair at University High School in Tucson, Arizona, has taught for more than 30 years. She taught Imigrant Education and French at the elementary level, and Spanish language and literature at the high school and college levels. She taught AP* Spanish Language for 21 years and AP* Spanish Literature for 18 years. She earned a BS in Secondary Education from Central Michigan University, with a major in Spanish and a minor in French; and a MA in Spanish Literature from Brigham Young University.
Her teaching position at the high school level included membership in the University High School Site based Organizational and Instructional Council, and the North Central Accreditation Committee. She also served as the National Spanish Exam Coordinator for the Tucson area. She is currently a reader and consultant for the College Board*.
She received the Scarlet and Gray Certificate of Commendation in 1998-99, Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1999, A One of the Best Foreign Language Teachers award in 2002 University of Arizona Second Language Symposium, the National Society of High School Scholar's Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004 and "Exemplary AP* Teacher" from the College Board* in 2006.
This course will explore the impact of the new format and how the focus has changed not only the course but the entire program. The course will provide sample materials and classrooms activities relating to AP* tasks. Participants will be asked to actively participate and share bst practices with the entire group..
Topics will include the following:
* Using authentic resources
* Building proficiency
* Teaching AP* Spanish Language through thematic units
* Using authentic literature in the AP* Spanish Language class.
* Integration of skills: how to develop presentational writing and speaking tasks
* Approaching grammar in a proficiency-oriented classroom.
* Using projects in the classroom as a way to integrate and develop the four skills
* Scoring the free-response sections of the exam; using 2011 student samples
What participants should bring:
* Thirty copies of a new idea or activity used last year as a result of exam changes.
* Thirty copies of an activity using literature in the classroom.
Class Syllabus
Monday:
Discussion of current practices, trends and methodologies in foreign language teaching. Integration of skills and the use of authentic sources. Review of new AP* exam Format. Introduction to AP* /strategies/listening.
* Introduction, identifying and selecting students
* Pre-AP* preparation. Building support for your AP* program.
* AP* goals, standards and philosophies, articulation in your Spanish department.
* Strategies and techniques for integrating the four skills and incorporation the use of authentic
resources.
* College Board* materials, resources, texts and materials.
* Developing listening skills. Participants are assigned a sample lesson plan or book review for Tuesday AM session.
Tuesday:
* Presentation of sample lesson plans
* Strategies and techniques for developing and integrating aural skills
* Activities to use in the classroom or in a language laboratory.
* Internet activities, visits to several web sites. Book reviews
Wednesday:
Developing Reading Skills
* Presentation/sharing of activities and book reviews
* Developing reading skills, using authentic materials to improve reading
* Strategies and techniques for students. Usings authentic literature in the classroom at elementary and Intermediate levels.
Thursday:
Developing writing skills. Projects for AP* classes. Teaching advanced vocabulary. Final words of wisdom.
* Strategies and techniques for teaching writing that culminate in AP*
* Objectives on the AP* exam, how to evaluate student writing, reading and grading sample student essays.
* Projects that develop critical thinking skills and integrate these skills.
