French 1 syllabus
Madame Castro
Room 408
Telephone: 951-739-5692 ext. 20408
Email:
Class homework website: https://moodle2.cnusd.k12.ca.us/
Teaching Strategy:
Bienvenue à la classe de français I!
I teach language using the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) and CI (Comprehensible Input) methods. TPRS emphasizes mastery and proficiency in the language rather than short term memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules. Research has shown that students who acquire language through TPRS/CI methods score competitively higher on national assessments and college placement exams. The target language is spoken 90% (or more) of the time as endorsed by ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
Required Materials:
1. Notebook/Folder- You must have something to keep your notes and work organized.
2. A writing utensil
Classroom rules:
1. Listen with the intent to understand.
2. One person speaks and the others listen.
3. Suggest cute answers, avoiding English.
4. Clarify if you don’t understand. Other Students support all clarification requests.
5. Sit up...Squared shoulders....Clear eyes.
6. Do your 50%.
7. Actors - synchronize your actions with my words.
8. Nothing in your lap unless told otherwise.
Assessments - 45% Assessments includes tests, quizzes, speaking assessments, and projects. Tests and quizzes are usually unannounced. The reason that I will not announce tests is that cramming for a test the night before does not produce long-term memory. Since I want you to know all of the material at all times, tests will include all of the French we
have learned, not just the current vocabulary list.
Participation - 40% Participation is more than just raising your hand! Participating in class means that you are present, speak IN FRENCH, listen with the intent to understand, take notes, and follow the class rules. You will get a participation grade of 100 points every week (20 points a day; for shortened weeks the 100 points will be divided by the number of days in the week). You will lose 10 points for every infraction and will not be able to make them up. Remember, your behavior = your choice = your participation grade! You will lose 10 points for the following infractions:
1. Tardy
2. Speaking English
3. Not following classroom rules
4. Chewing gum
5. Eating in class
6. Having your cell phone out (Note: Not only will you lose points, but I will take your phone. You will not be able to pick it up until I return it to the office during my planning period, which is 6th period.)
7. Talking out of turn
8. Leaving your area messy
9. Absence (Note: If you are not in my class, ALL 20 participation points are automatically lost. Afterall, how can you participate if you are not present? This is also the ONLY infraction that you may make up. If you are not physically present in our classroom for any reason (illness, suspension, field-trip, assembly, etc) you can recoup your participation points for the day by choosing an activity from the make-up list. As per the student handbook, you have as many days as you were absent to make up the work. So if you were absent Tuesday and returned Wednesday, you have 1 day to make up the work (meaning, you need to give it to me by Thursday). No excuses and no exceptions. You must also be sure to do quality work - if you choose to do messy and rushed work, it will be reflected in the make-up participation grade
Homework/Classwork - 15% Homework will not be assigned every night so when it is assigned, it is imperative that you complete it because I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK! (See the section on late work below); the only exception is if you were absent for class that day. I will let you know if I will collect your classwork for a grade. Please be on task because your classwork is graded on what you complete.
Make-up work and Absences: YOU are responsible for all work missed during any absence and you have as many days as you were absent to make up your work. Any work not made up in that time frame will receive a zero. It is not my responsibility to remind you to turn in missed work or make up missed quizzes/tests. Your work = your responsibility! If you were absent, please check your class binder for any missed handouts.
Extra Credit I don’t give extra credit
- I will not give you an extension on a due date unless we have come to an agreement BEFORE HAND. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK!!!
-I do not give extra credit before grades are due to help you “bring up your grade.” If you do the assignments, study hard, and participate, you will be satisfied with your grade. “Will you raise my grade because of x, y, or z?” No. You’re an awesome person, but I will not.