Bienvenue!
Welcome to Foreign Language Exploration (FLEX). This class lasts for one quarter. You will spend this quarter studying French. The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the study of foreign language and to help you make a decision about which language you will want to study when you get to high school.
Your teacher
My name is Mrs. Whitney. While we are studying French, you should call me “Madame.” I welcome questions and comments from you and your parents. You may email me at , or call me at 410-638-3658. I am available after school until 3 pm by appointment if you or your parents would like to meet with me.
Course standards
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
-ask and answer simple questions in French -understand basic spoken and written input in French -make short oral and written presentations in French -identify similarities and differences between aspects of the target culture and your own
Course content
French- Classroom Instructions and Requests
- Common French Expressions
- Alphabet
- Colors
- Numbers
- Calendar
- Weather
- Family Members
- Clothing
- Rooms of the House
Class supplies
You will need a folder with prongs in the middle or a small 3-ring binder for your French book. You will also need to bring paper and a pen/pencil to class with you.
Class rules
You are expected to follow and obey NHMS rules at all times. The basic classroom rules for FLEX are:
- Arrive on time – lateness is will not be tolerated
- Sit in your assigned seat.
- Remain quiet during instruction. Raise your hand when you want to speak.
- Respects yourself, your peers and your teacher
- Participate in the class activity and remain on task.
- Do not touch other people or their property.
- Clean up your area at the end of the period.
- Bring your workbook, paper and pencil to each class.
Assessment and grading policy
Your grade will be based on the following:
- quizzes
- class assignments and projects
There will not be a major test at the end
of the course, but there will be a project.
The project is to give a five minute presentation
on a French speaking country.
You need:
- Information satisfying the five “starred” categories found below.
- Information from at least five other categories found below.
- One visual aid, with lots of pictures that depict the country, its population and its culture (i.e. poster, brochure, PowerPoint)
What are the categories?
**Land and climate**History**Population
**Language**Religion
General attitudesGreetingsPersonal Appearance
GesturesVisitingEating and Diet
FamilyDating and MarriageArt (Literature, paintings, music)
Recreation HolidaysEconomy
Commerce GovernmentEducation
HealthTransportation and Communication
Students may choose a country from the list below. The assignment of countries will be discussed during class. We will attempt to avoid that students in the same class choose the same country.
FrenchFrenchFrenchFrench
SenegalBelgiumAlgeriaMauritania
MonacoNigerMoroccoVietnam
TunisiaCambodiaIvory CoastLaos
MaliMartiniqueTogoGuadeloupe
FranceHaïtiCanadaSwitzerland
BeninBurundiMadagascarLuxembourg
DjiboutiVanuatuComorosGabon
The grading rubricis attached to the syllabus. The due date for the project is Monday, January 7th, 2013.
An excellent website is Username= nharfordms Password=nharfordms
Your course grade will be calculated through the total points system. Each assignment will be worth a specified number of points. At the end of the quarter, the total number of points will be calculated, and your grade will be based on the percentage of total points that you have earned.
89.5%-100%= A 79.5%-89.4%=B 69.5%-79.4%=C 59.5%-69.4%=D 0%-59.4%=E
Homework
Every night, you should spend a minimum of 10 minutes reviewing what we have done in class that day. Remember: a little studying every night is much more effective than trying to memorize a lot of new vocabulary in one night.