Bonjour Et Bienvenue À La Classe De Français 1!

French I Syllabus

2016-2017

Bonjour et bienvenue à la classe de français 1!

Welcome to the exciting world of French I. This is an entry level course that will build vocabulary and grammar concepts while developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We will begin with simple classroom expressions that will allow me to conduct the class using the target language. Yes, I speak French in class but don’t panic because I don’t expect you to understand every word. I do, however, expect my students to speak French by practicing with me in class every day. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because you can’t learn a new language any other way. So relax, breathe, and embrace this opportunity!

This class will be fun. We will talk a lot (in French), play games, watch video clips, and do role play. However, learning a new language does require a lot of work. We will have homework most days and students will also be expected to review vocabulary and new grammar daily for at least 10-15 minutes. This will serve as an extension to the work we are doing in class – as with many things in life, learning a foreign language requires practice - and remember: “practice makes perfect.” Occasionally, we will have projects which will require some more extensive research.

Classroom Expectations

Be prompt Class begins when the bell rings! Be in your seat!

Be prepared Have required materials, i-pad (charged), resource handouts, paper, and pen.

Be ready Know the current topic being studied. Read/copy the agenda and begin the warm up. Students are expected to review material outside of class!

Be positive Support the learning environment as well as the instructional plan with a positive attitude and positive behavior. It’s all about attitude!

Be productive Use class time for French only. Pay attention and participate. Your focus should be on the instructional plan and the activities outlined for the day. Constant interruptions are not productive.

Be polite Respect the classroom, other students and their property, the teacher, and the instructional plan.

Classroom Procedures

The Bells

The bells remind us when class begins and ends. Please take care of personal business and personal grooming outside of class. I always stand at the door and greet students as they enter class. This is an excellent time for students to communicate problems, issues, and or concerns that might otherwise interrupt the instructional process.

Attendance

Attendance is taken daily at the beginning of class using a seating chart. Student’s seats will

periodically change as their instructional needs change. Absences and tardies will follow the policies in the Midway ISD handbook.

Food/Drink

Food and drink are not allowed in the classroom.

Water/Restroom

Students will not be given permission to leave class to get water and go to the restroom. When

emergencies and extenuating circumstances arise, these requests will be handled on an individual

basis. I reserve the right to refuse water and restroom requests when a student abuses the privilege,

for instance, not returning in a reasonable amount of time or going to another destination. I will

contact parents when this situation arises.

Warm ups

Class always begins with a warm up activity that recycles previously learned material or is a

snapshot of new material being presented in class that period. Warm ups are mostly completed

using the i-pads and are usually graded in class for completion. Occasionally I will collect warm-

ups and grade them myself.

Participation

Participation is very important in my class. When you participate I can assess areas of strengths

and weakness and adjust my instructional approach. Verbal participation is a must and usually

occupies 50% of the instructional plan. Verbal Participation can be confusing when students

continually interrupt the teacher and the other students in class. Therefore students must raise

their hand before speaking out. Be respectful! Students need to engage and participate as much as

possible. Inappropriate participation will not be tolerated and I will contact parents and/or your

administrator.

Discipline

Students must follow the MISD behavioral guidelines and consequences outlined in the student

handbook as well as my classroom expectations and procedures. In the event a student chooses

not to follow these rules, procedures, and or expectations the following steps will be implemented

and documented.

Step 1 Verbal reminder

Step 2 Teacher/Student Conference/Parent notification

Step 3 Teacher/Student Detention/Parent notification

Step 4 Office referral/Parent contact

Office referrals will continue from this point.

Serious Offences Skip steps 1-3/Office Referral

Serious offences include, but are not limited to, profanity (written/verbal), obscene gestures (written/physical), bullying (written/verbal), pushing, shoving, fighting (verbal or physical), intentionally disrupting instruction and or student learning, and any other behaviors labeled as serious by MISD.

Grading Procedure

Both written and verbal assignments are given every day. The following includes how your grade will be determined for each six weeks:

30% Practice toward Learning (homework assignments, class work/participation, oral Q&A, etc.)

30% Application of Learning (projects, presented conversations, vocabulary & grammar application assignments, writing samples, etc.)

40% Evaluation of Learning (tests: listening, speaking, reading & writing vocabulary, grammar & culture, etc. and more in-depth projects)

100% TOTAL

From handbook:

OPPORTUNITIES TO RE-DO ASSIGNMENTS

Evaluation Category - A student will receive an opportunity to be re-evaluated when he/she receives a grade below 70% in the evaluation category (excluding evaluation grades received on projects/assignments that extend over a period of 5 days). In order for re-evaluation to occur, the student will participate in the re-teaching process as determined by the teacher. The re-evaluation score will replace the original score with a maximum grade of 70%. The re-evaluation process must take place within 5 school days of receiving the initial grade below 70.

LATE WORK / ZEROS

When students do not turn in assignments on the due date, they will have the opportunity to turn them in as late work before receiving a zero.

From the Handbook:

“The teacher is not required to accept late work more than one day after the due date.” Late work will receive a deduction of 30 points when received on the school day following the due date, after that the student will be given a zero for the assignment.

Special notes:

Due dates

Please pay attention to due dates. For example, an assignment “due Oct. 2nd” would mean the assignment is due at the beginning of your class period on Oct. 2nd.

Make-up Work:

You have 3 days to complete your make-up work when you have been absent. However, if you are going to be out for a school related activity, you are responsible for getting the assignment before you leave and submitting the completed work when you return.

From the Handbook:

“A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.”

Tutorials:

I am available for tutoring, before school, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:40-4:30 pm and before school upon request. Students need to schedule tutoring with me in order to avoid conflicts. In the event that I have to cancel scheduled tutoring I will call or email the student and or parent to reschedule. In the event of unforeseen conflicts and or emergencies I will post a note on my door.

Translators

With the increasing efficiency of technology students can easily access language translators.

Students and parents need to be aware that these programs are usually very literal and can mislead the novice language learner. Here’s an example. A student wants to say I watch sports.

Not remembering the verb for watch the student types in watch and receives the word une montre.

Montre means wrist watch. This is not the same as the verb regarder to watch. Warning! Using translators is considered cheating. With this in mind, any written assignment to be graded as an application or evaluation will be done in class.

Materials (Required – unless otherwise stated)

- Notebook paper

- 1½ - 2” 3-ring binder with dividers

Students need a separate French binder or a section for French in a large binder. Students will receive notes and resource handouts that we will refer to in class. Students are expected to have a system for accessing their notes when needed. Papers crammed into a backpack is not a substitute for a French Binder.

- composition book (3 subject preferred)

- black or blue pens for written work, red pens for grading, pencils, and highlighters

- index cards for flashcards (3x5 are best and these may also be cut in half)

Students will make flash cards for every vocabulary unit. The flashcards will be used in class to practice the vocabulary.

- dry erase markers (at least 2 different (darker) colors)

- earbuds or headphones to use with i-pad

- Disinfectant wipes (optional – if you prefer to wipe down headset before use)

- A BOX OF KLEENEX for classroom use. Colds, flu and allergies require a lot of tissues and

hand cleaning throughout the year.

Practice

It is very important to practice French and review your vocabulary on a regular basis. I will use pop quizzes to determine who is honestly practicing the language outside of class. We all have very different learning styles. Some students can absorb and retain information in class by listening and taking notes. Others must go home and quiz themselves using flashcards, foldables, or practice orally with another person. Students are expected to learn and or remember their vocabulary and grammar concepts. Find what works best for you! If you need ideas, see me.

It is going to be a great year and I look forward to working with your student. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Please sign and return the attached signature sheet, including a phone number and e-mail where you can be contacted during the day. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this plan or any other matter.

Textbook and required materials:

Textbook: - Discovering French Level 1 (Bleu) – McDougal Littell

-  iPad (fully charged) with earbuds

This document should be kept in your 3-ring binder for reference.

French I

2016-2017

Madame Powers

Classroom Expectations, Policies, and Procedures

My student and I have read and discussed Madame Power’s Welcome to French I packet.

Our signatures below indicate that we understand the expectations and agree to follow the policies and procedures outlined in this packet.

Parent Name (please print)

______

Parent Signature Date ______

______

Day time phone # and e-mail

______

Student Name (please print)

______

Student Signature Date ______

______