Pre-AP French I Syllabus
2017-2018
Instructor: / Julie Powers / School Phone: / (254) 761-5650 – Ext.2100Room: / 100 / Conference: / 3rd period (9:50-10:35)
e-mail: / / Tutoring: / Mon., Tues., Thurs. - 3:40-4:30 pm
and upon request
Bonjour et bienvenue à la classe de français 1Pre-AP!
Welcome to the exciting world of Pre-AP 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 your student to understand every word. I do 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. As this is a Pre-AP class it will be more rigorous than a regular class, and we will go into greater depth with each skill in order to reach to level of proficiency required for Pre-AP and AP French at levels II, III and IV. We will have homework most days, andstudents will also be expected to review vocabulary and new grammar daily for at least 10-15 minutes. This work will serve as an extension to the work we are doing in class – as will 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 promptClass begins when the bell rings! Be in your seat!
Be prepared Have all required materials, i-pad (fully charged each night) with earbuds, resource handouts, paper, and pen.
Be readyKnow the current topic being studied. Check the VHL Central calendar daily and begin the warm up when class begins. Students are expected to review material outside of class (VHL Central tutorials and notes)!
Be positiveSupport the learning environment as well as the instructional plan with a positive attitude and positive behavior. It’s all about attitude!
Be productiveUse 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. Strive for excellence!
Be politeRespect 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 willperiodically
change as their instructional needs change. Absences and tardies will follow the policies in the Midway ISD
handbook.
Phones/Electronic Devices
My class is a phone-free zone. Students should turn off and put away all devices (including iWatchesor any other non-school-issued devices) before cominginto the room and leave them in their backpacks. If a student’s device is on/out/being used it will be confiscated and handed in to the office. Parents will have to come to school and pay $15 to get it back...
Food/Drink
Food and drink are not allowed in the classroom (unless otherwise stated for special occasions).
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. However, I do still 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 warm ups will be written by hand and collected.
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 1Verbal reminder
Step 2Teacher/Student Conference/Parent notifications
Step 3Teacher/Student Detention/Parent notifications
Step 4Office referral/Parent contact
Office referrals will continue from this point.
Serious OffencesSkip 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:
25% Practice toward Learning (homework assignments, class work/participation, oral Q&A, etc.)
25% Application of Learning (projects, presented conversations, vocabulary & grammar application assignments, writing samples, etc.)
50% Evaluation of Learning (tests: listening, speaking, reading & writing vocabulary, grammar & culture, etc.)
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. Please note: For electronic assignments (on VHL Central) the due date will be the following day at 8:10 in the morning in order to offer students the opportunity to take advantage of the school WiFi. If you should have any problems (including technology), please make me aware of them before 8:10 am on the due date (before the bell for 1st period), otherwise your work will be counted late and will be subject to a late penalty.
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 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:40-4:30 pm and at other times 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 unemontre.
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. Students are permitted to use an electronic dictionary (WordReference recommended) to look up individual words.
Materials(Required – unless otherwise stated)
- Notebook paper
- 1½ - 2” 3-ring binder with dividers
Students need either 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
-***earbuds or headphones to use with i-pad*** (must be brought to class every day)
-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.
Optional – index cards for flashcards (3x5 are best and can even be cut in half) if student wishes to make paper flash cards of vocabulary (these are also very handy for practicing vocabulary).
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 their vocabulary and grammar concepts. Find what works best for you!
It is going to be a great year and I look forward to working with your student. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.After reading this document, please fill out the attached form with your information. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this plan or any other matter.
Textbook and required materials:
Textbook: - D’accord Level 1 – Vista Higher Learning (class set)
-iPad (fully charged each morning) with earbuds
This documentshould be kept in your 3-ring binder for reference.
Pre-AP French I
2017-2018
Madame Powers
Classroom Expectations, Policies, and Procedures
My student and I have read and discussed Madame Power’s Welcome to Pre-AP 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)
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Parent SignatureDate ______
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Day time phone # and e-mail
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Student Name (please print)
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Student SignatureDate ______
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