Middle school Spanish at A.P.S. is a multilevel program designed to help students communicate effectively with basic Spanish and learn its importance in today’s globalized world in which we live in. Upon completion of the third level of the middle school program, students receive one high school credit; and they have the opportunity to be advanced placed according to their ability.

Beginning Spanish

Textbook & Workbook: En Español 1a (McDougal-Little, 2000); Spanish/English Dictionary

Structural elements of basic vocabulary are presented. Students learn by oral and visual stimulation and association. The study of the culture and customs of Hispanic countries is presented through lectures, readings, and research. At the end of the academic year, the students should be capable of identifying objects used in daily life and must have acquired basic skills of: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Basic Grammar Structures, Basic Writing, and Basic Oral Skills.

Students are assessed through class participation, class work, homework, quizzes, tests and projects.

Intermediate Spanish

Textbook & Workbook: En Español 1b (McDougal-Little, 2000); Spanish/English Dictionary

This course reinforces the following basic skills acquired in Beginning Spanish: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Basic Grammar Structures, Basic Writing, and Basic Oral Skills. Emphasis is made on the comparison of cultures and customs, and students are exposed to more current events of different Hispanic Countries and the impact in our society. At the end of the academic year, students are capable of producing more complex writings; they are prepared to comprehend simple readings and communicate orally in a much more effective manner.

Students are assessed through class participation, class work, homework, quizzes, tests and projects.

Advanced Spanish

Textbook & Workbook: En Español Uno (McDougal-Little,2000); Spanish/English Dictionary

Advanced Spanish is the equivalent to a high school Spanish One Course. Students review all previous concepts learned at a much faster pace and more complex grammar structures are incorporated. Students are provided the techniques to master the following: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Writing, and Oral communication. All 4 skills are integrated which permits the students the opportunity to develop proficiency in Spanish.

Students broaden their awareness and understanding of the different Hispanic cultures and customs through research, literature, art, music, and current events.

Students are assessed through class participation, class work, homework, quizzes, tests and projects.

Latin

Textbooks: Latin is fun, A Roman Town

An Introduction to Latin is taught in the sixth grade. The class meets twice a week during the entire year, and it forms part of the Exploratory Courses. The course emphasizes English derivatives from Latin, some basic grammar to complement what the students might be studying in English class, and the analysis of Latin sentences, paragraphs, and stories which are then translated into English.

Students are exposed to the origin of the Romance Languages, especially to see the relationship between Latin and Spanish, to increase their knowledge of English vocabulary, to learn something about Roman history and customs, and to enjoy the process.

Students are assessed through vocabulary quizzes, Latin-to-English translations, and class participation.