Français I Fall 2017
Mademoiselle (Mlle) Kowalski
Leichtman-Levine Environmental Science High School
Syllabus
Bonjour et Bienvenue!
Hello and Welcome to French 1! You are enrolled in an exciting, interesting, and challenging course that will prepare you for college and, hopefully, inspire you to travel. French is a beautiful, romantic, scholarly language that is important for business and travel. In this class we will not only cover the French language and grammar, but also the culture of le monde francophone (the French-speaking world). Please read this entire handout carefully so that you will know exactly what I expect of you for the year to come.
Why Take French?
Besides being a beautiful and romantic language, French is an important language that is spoken by over 100 million people worldwide. Throughout the course of the first semester, we will discuss the importance of learning French. Here are a few reasons to get us started.
1. Knowing French will help you get into a great university. Colleges look for students who have foreign language skills. As a French speaker, you will become bilingual (French and English) or even trilingual (French, English, and a third language that you speak). This will make you a more compelling candidate.
2. Knowing French will be good for your career. Interested in politics? What about sports? Any humanitarians out there? French is one of the official languages of the European Union, the Olympic Games, and the United Nations.
3. France is a top tourist destination. Want to see the Eiffel Tower? What about the Mona Lisa? Love art and fashion? If you love to travel, you’ll know that France is a top tourist destination, and speaking French will make your trip much more enjoyable.
4. Learning French will help you understand your native language(s). When you learn the structure of French grammar, you’ll start to understand the structure that you naturally use in your native language(s).
5. Along with learning a new language comes learning a new culture. Some practices, beliefs, foods, etc. may seem strange or even weird to you at first, but it is important to learn to be tolerant. By understanding how another culture views the world, you also come to understand how your own culture has shaped you and your outlook on life. In this class, I hope to teach you to be tolerant of others no matter how different they may be.
A little about me
I started learning French in middle school. My French teachers inspired in me a life-long interest and love of French language and culture. In fact, I loved learning French and learning about the world so much that I decided to take a year off between high school and college in order to live in southern Belgium. There, I lived with a host family and attended a local high school. It is during this immersion experience that I truly became fluent in French. Afterwards, I majored in French at Bryn Mawr College, in Pennsylvania. I also received my master’s degree in French Literature from the same college. I had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Paris and a summer in Avignon (southern France). My experience abroad not only improved my French, but also showed me that it is possible to become fluent in French! The trick is practice, and we will practice as much as possible in this classroom. I want to try to create an immersion experience for you within the walls of my classroom.
Learning a foreign language is fun, and nothing beats the excitement of speaking French while traveling in French-speaking countries. I have traveled to France several times and each time I discover something new and wonderful about the country known for delicious food, impressive architecture, and important history. Throughout our year together I hope to impart this same love of French language and culture on each and every one of you.
Contact Me
You can reach me…
by email at
by phone at 323-739-0560 before school from 7:00 am to 7:45 am and after school from 3:45 to 4:15 pm
Course Description and Objectives
This class will be taught in French as much as possible to make you comfortable in the language. We will be covering a wide variety of topics such as family, friends, hobbies, food, sports, etc. By the end of the year, you should be able to easily communicate about yourself, your friends and family, and tell a simple story in French.
Classroom Expectations
French class is going to be unlike any subject you have ever studied. The class experience is a little different, and in order for everyone in class to learn, these are my expectations:
· TUNE IN: clear eyes, clear ears, clear mind
· SHOW ME WHEN I'M NOT CLEAR: It is my job to be understandable. Stop me when I'm not.
· RESPOND EVERY TIME as if it is the most interesting thing you've heard.
Student Responsibilities / Teacher Responsibilities· Speak French, not English! / Speak French, not English!
Be respectful of yourself, your teachers, your classmates, and your school. / Be respectful of my students, myself, my colleagues, and my school.
Come to class prepared with the materials you need to do your work. / Come to class prepared with an organized lesson plan and all the materials needed
Pay attention to your teacher / Listen to my students
· Participate actively
· Ask questions when you don’t understand / Check to make sure that students understand what I am teaching; help them until they do.
Spend at least 15 minutes outside of each class each day looking over stories, vocabulary lists, etc. / Spend time reviewing material in class each day; build on information students already know
Complete all assignments on time. / Grade and return all assignments as they are submitted
Practice and re-do everything until you understand it! / Help you practice and allow you to re-do work until you understand it.
Attend class every day. / Attend class every day.
· NOUS SOMMES TOUS AMIS: When you're in this class, everyone is your friend.
Consequences
Students will be held accountable for misbehavior in class. The following are consequences for misbehavior:
1. Warning. I will write your name on the board.
2. Conference with teacher for five minutes after class. I will circle your name on the board.
3. Detention. I will write "Det" next to your name.
4. Conference with parent and the Assistant Principal or Principal. I will send you to the office. This will lead to contacting your parents
*Note: I reserve the right to change these consequences according to the circumstances.
Class Materials
Every ESAT student is expected to have the following materials. You must bring all of these materials every single day.
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· 3” 3-ring binder
· Loose college ruled leaf paper
· Pencils (mechanical or regular)
· Pens (black or blue)
· Highlighters (any color)
· Small, individual pencil sharpener
· Class notes
· Headphones or earbuds if you own a pair
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Technology
· Any misuse of the iPads will result in the same consequences as above. iPads will immediately be taken away if you are playing games. They are school property and are not toys.
· There are absolutely no cell phones allowed in class. If I see a cell phone I will take it away.
Warm Up
Every single time you enter French class you will follow the same routine.
1. Enter silently, pick up any handouts on the side table, and go straight to your seat.
2. Take out your materials (planner, two writing utensils, binder, homework, textbook).
3. Put your backpack on the back of your chair.
4. Write down your homework then start your do now silently. (Do-Now= Tout de suite)
Binder
Bring your binder every day. We will divide the French portion of your binder into two different sections and we will keep each section organized. We will periodically have binder checks and your French sections will have to be up-to-date and organized. If you do not have your binder, I will automatically follow the ESAT discipline matrix, which can lead to a detention.
Getting Your Attention
I will get the class's attention by counting down from five in French (cinq, quatre, trois, deux, un). As you hear me count, stop talking no matter what the conversation is about. When you hear “un” it must be completely silent. If the class quiets down, you will receive a class point.
Class Rewards
Every day our class will have the opportunity to earn points for behavioral or academic success. For the first prize I will make and bring in crêpes for the class when you get to 20 points.
Grades
You will be graded on specific standards. The grade breakdown is as follows:
4 Point Scale / Percent / Proficiency Level / Description3.4-4.0 / 90-100% / Advanced / Student has made advanced and detailed understanding beyond expectations of the standard and can apply complex ideas and processes for the standard
2.7-3.3 / 80-89% / Proficient / Student has a complete and detailed understanding of all information important to expectations for the standard
2.0-2.6 / 70-79% / Basic / Student has complete understanding of the information important to the standard but not in great detail
1.9 or less / 0-69% / Below Basic / Even with help, student demonstrates insufficient understanding of the standard
Bathroom Policy
Class time is invaluable. Lost class time cannot be made up. Leaving the classroom will only be permitted in emergencies. You will be given two bathroom passes per semester, to be used in case of emergency. Simply raise your pass in the air and if it is an appropriate time you may go.
Homework/Les Devoirs
Every night you will be expected to study your vocabulary. Additionally, you will have to complete homework to practice the spelling of this vocabulary.
· Look up the homework on my website at www.esathigh.org if you forgot to write it in your agenda.
· Every time you do not do homework, it will be recorded. The third time you are missing homework, you will be assigned to a mandatory tutoring session Thursday after school. If you do not attend this tutoring session, I will follow the ESAT discipline matrix, which can lead to a detention. Homework completion will affect your summative grade as well.
Vocabulary
In order to learn any new language, students must spend time studying vocabulary. The more you know your vocab words, the more success you’ll have in French…guaranteed!
· You must spend 15 minutes every night reviewing your vocabulary flashcards.
· You may make paper flashcards or you may study on Quizlet.com. Whichever way you choose, your studying will be monitored and checked.
Absences
It is extremely important for your success in school that you attend every day. You must be present physically and mentally in order to learn French!
If you missed class, you must do the following:
· Check esathigh.org so that you can stay caught up with the class.
· Take out the homework that was due the day you were absent.
· If there were any handouts, check with your partner and ask me for a copy. If there were any notes, politely ask your partner if you can copy the notes.
Absences on quiz/exam days
· Quizzes and exams are usually unannounced in French class because I want you to know all the material, all the time, and not cram right before a test. Check in with your partner to see if you missed an assessment. Tests will include all of the French we have learned, not just the current vocabulary list.
· If you miss a quiz or an exam, it is your responsibility to make it up during tutoring hours (Thursday 3:50-5:00)
Retakes
French 1 assessments can be retaken if you receive below an 80%. You must also have ALL homework from the semester completed before you are allowed the opportunity to retake, and you must attend a tutoring session. I will take the higher of your two scores, however the highest grade you can earn on a retake is an 80%, even if you scored higher. You may retake a maximum of 4 quizzes each semester.
Tutoring
Your success in French class and at Leichtman-Levine is extremely important to me. I want you to succeed, and I know you can with some determination and hard work. If you are struggling in French and your grade drops below a 70%, you will be assigned after school tutoring. You must bring all your French materials. Tutoring takes place on Thursdays from 3:50 to 5:00. Make sure you are on time.
Plagiarism and Acceptable Use of Online Translators
Plagiarism is when someone uses another person’s words or ideas and acts as if they are one’s own original ideas. This will not be tolerated. Students must use proper MLA citation when using source material. This includes use of the textbook. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the assignment.
Online translators can be a very useful tool when studying a foreign language, but they must be used appropriately. In my class you may use online translators to look up specific words and short phrases (2-3 words), but never entire sentences. A good website for online word translation that I like to use is www.wordreference.com. In addition, if I observe incorrect use of an online translator, I consider that cheating and the student will fail the assignment. The student will also receive a referral to administration. Students are also required to submit a list of words/phrases that were found using an online translator at the end of any writing assignment. As a rule of thumb, you must be able to translate into English anything that you submit in French. If you can’t then this is a serious problem!
Any instances of cheating will result in referral to administration.
Français I Fall 2017
Mademoiselle (Mlle) Kowalski
Leichtman-Levine Environmental Science High School
I have read the syllabus and understand the expectations in French 1. I take my education seriously, so I agree to participate appropriately during class and complete expected assignments at home, as described in the syllabus.
______
Student name Student signature Date
My son/daughter has gone through the syllabus with me and explained it to me. I understand what is expected of him/her for French 1.
Mi hijo/a me ha explicado el syllabus. Entiendo lo que la maestra espera de él/ella en la clase de Francés 1.
______
Parent name Parent signature Date
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