2017-2018 FRENCH 4 SYLLABUS
Madame Burkitt
Contact Information:
Room: 166
School Phone: 635-3839 ext 5809
Email:
Website:
Conference period: 2nd hour, 9:00-9:55
Course Objective:
Prerequisite: C or higher in French III
French IV will focus on advancing students’ skills and abilities to read, write, speak, and understand the French language so that they can maintain simple conversations with sufficient vocabulary and an acceptable accent, have sufficient comprehension to understand speech spoken at a normal pace, read uncomplicated but authentic prose, and write narratives that contain a good understanding of grammar and a strong vocabulary.
Purpose Statement:
Scientific research on the brain suggests that learning foreign languages makes students smarter overall. Among the many benefits, it increases students’ mental focus, reading and writing abilities, and even improves mathematical skills. With that in mind, you should not be surprised that you’re working hard in class and being asked to do things that you find challenging. If you work hard to master the vocabulary and grammar learned in class you will be successful in learning French.
Grades/ Evaluations:
Tests – 30%100-93 – A76-73 - C
Quizzes/Projects – 25%92-90 – A-72-70 – C-
Homework -15%89-87 – B+69-67 – D+
In Class Assignments -15%86-83 – B66-63 -D
Participation- 15%82-80 – B-62-60 – D-
79-77 – C+59 and below – E
- An extra credit opportunity will be given once a semester to students. This extra credit is usually a project that uses vocabulary and grammar concepts we have learned or is a cultural study. No other extra credit is given.
Classroom Expectations
1.Enter the room respectfully; sit in your assigned seat, get out the required materials and being the bell work activity.
2.Actively listen when others are presenting information, this includes the teacher, other students, and announcements over the PA or any guest presenters.
3.Cell Phones, IPods/mp3 players, and headphones MUST be off and out of sight.
a.Any violation of this will result in the following actions:
i.Verbal Warning
ii. Cell phone/IPod will be taken from student and turned into the office
4.No Food or Drinks (except water) will be allowed inside the classroom.
5.No Hats are to be worn at any time and all dress code rules must be followed.
6.All students will remain seated in their assigned seats when the end of class bell rings and will only be dismissed by the teacher.
Any violations of these Expectations will result in the following actions:
First offense: Verbal warning
Second offense: Short meeting with student after class / email or call home
Third offense or more: Referral to the office / call home
Tardy Policy:
A) You must be in the room, getting out a materials or in your seat when the bell rings otherwise you are tardy, no exceptions!
B) If you are 10 or more minutes late, you be marked as absent per school policy.
C) Consequences for excessive tardies are outlined in the student handbook.
Homework
Most homework will be assigned on WEDNESDAY during the week. Homework is due on FRIDAY and will be accepted as late on Monday. NO late homework will be accepted after the following Wednesday. There will be exceptions to the Wednesday homework rule, but you will still have 2 days to complete any homework assignment. Students with excused absences must work out how to make up homework with me.
In Class Assignments
All practice activities completed in class (either from the book or other teacher created assignments) should be done on the same piece of paper. These assignments will be collected every Friday to be graded. If a student is absent from class at any point during the week students are NOT required to make up missing in class assignments. Students absent on Friday MUST turn in class assignments on the following Monday. In class assignment papers will not be accepted after Tuesday.
Participation
A participation grade will be given every two weeks based on bell work completion and oral participation in class each day. Bell work should be completed on the same piece of paper for a 2 week time period and will be collected every 2nd Friday. Students absent on the day bell work is collected must turn in bell work the following Monday. Bell work papers will not be accepted after Tuesday.
Make Up Work:
While attendance in school is understood to be a major indicator of student success, I realize there will be times when a student will be absent. Make up work will evaluated on a student to student basis. A student is allowed 10 absences per semester. After 10 absences their work will not be scored. Absences excused by a medical professional, school related absences, and absences excused by an administrator will not be figured into one of the 10.
Online Environment
In this class we will be using the learning platform of Edmodo for several, assignments, quizzes and other learning opportunities in class. You must do the following:
- Create an Edmodo account and join our class using the class code: ______
- Save your user name and password information here:
- User name: ______Password: ______
We will also be using other sites like quizlet and socrative in class. All netiquette and classroom rules apply in our online environment
Materials:
All students will need the following materials for French class
- Pencil/Pen
- Note Book/ Paper
- Folder / Binder
Course Outline:
First semester: Continue learning new vocabulary, grammar and francophone culture.
Examples of Vocabulary: Professions, fairy tale vocabulary, job interviews / resume
Examples of Grammar: review present, past tense, future, conditional, imparfait, future perfect, plus-que-parfait, subjunctive, simple past learn past conditional and past subjunctive
Examples of Projects: Famous Women Presentations, Wildlife Posters / Warnings
Second semester: Continue to practice vocabulary and grammar, read an excerpt from a French
Novel and more francophone culture
Examples of Vocabulary: La Press, Environment/Planet terms, Election terms
Examples of Grammar: Subjunctive, Object Pronouns, Other irregular verbs, Comparative, passive voice
Examples of projects: Create your own newspaper, recycling poster/presentation
We will also be reading a short fairy tale (Le Petit Tailleur)
Parent / Student Signature:
My Student and I have read the expectations and polices as outlined in this syllabus. We understand that any make up work will be done on an individual student basis and that any questions can be directed to Mrs. Burkitt in person or via email.
Parent Signature: ______
I understand what is expected of me in Mrs. Burkitt’s Class and I will keep this syllabus in my folder with my online user name and password for future use.
Student Signature: ______
RETURN JUST THIS PAGE TO MRS. BURKITT BY SEPTEMBER 8 2017
Print Student Name: ______