Revised Aug 4th 09

FRENCH I

FALL SEMESTER 2009

Madame Becerra-Seay

Room: trailer FL 6 (International Village)

E-mail:

¡BIENVENU(E)S! ~ WELCOME!

Welcome to French I. I am very excited that you chose to learn French language and culture.

French I course focuses on the continued development of communicative competence in French and understanding of the culture(s) of the people who speak it. It assumes that the students have minimal or no prior knowledge of the language and culture.

The teacher will make an emphasis on using the target language (French) as much as possible, and students should take advantage of any opportunity to interact among themselves and with the instructor in that language. Because students may begin formal language learning at various stages of their cognitive development, the teacher will do the best in adjusting vocabulary and content to reflect developmentally appropriate interests.

An important component of this class is the use of the French language beyond the classroom in the real world. The integration of technology is an important tool in accessing authentic information in French, and in providing the opportunity to interact with native speakers.

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ALWAYS HAVE IN CLASS:

1. TEXTBOOK and WORKBOOK

2. A 3-RING BINDER ONLY FOR FRENCH. 3 DIVIDERS

AND LOOSE-LEAF AND COMPUTER PAPER

3. THESE UTENSILS (blue & black pens, pencil, eraser and sharpener)

Course Objectives and Goals:

  • GOAL 1: To enable learners to communicate in French for multiple purposes, in a variety of modes and within a wide range of cultural contexts.
  • GOAL 2: To enable learners to demonstrate knowledge of world cultures, develop an appreciation of cultural diversity, and expand awareness of their own language and culture.
  • GOAL 3: To enable learners to expand opportunities to use language by connecting with other disciplines, accessing information through authentic language sources and by interacting in the global society.

We will be working individually, in pairs, and in small/large groups. French I builds the foundations for French II learning (listening, speaking, reading, writing skills).

It is essential to participate and speak!

I know this can be intimidating, but your efforts will pay off.

Rules

  • Be on your assigned seat when the bell rings, or you will lose participation points. Come dress-coded, prepared with all your materials, and ready to use French to the best of your ability.
  • Be quite and respectful to me, any substitute teacher, and to others in the classroom. Disrespect will NOT be tolerated.
  • NO CELL PHONES, CD PLAYERS, iPods,…
  • NO HATS, SCARVES, BANDANAS, ETC.

(These will be taken up and turned into grade office)

  • Keep your head up and stay focused and attentive at all times.
  • NO FOOD OR DRINK, NO GUM (This makes it difficult to speak!), NO GROOMING (LADIES AND GENTLEMEN)
  • The bell does not dismiss class, I do. Remain seated until teacher gives you instructions. And leave the classroom through the front door.

Consequences:

If any of the classroom rules are broken, or if the student engages in any other behavior that is deemed inappropriate by me, the student will be given:

  1. Verbal warnings (maximum 2) with name on board.
  2. DEDUCTION OF PARTICIPATION POINTS.
  3. Parent phone call and/or departmental detention to be served after school.
  4. If the departmental detention is not served, or if the behavior is not corrected, the student will be referred by me to the administrator, who will take the proper action to see that this behavior changes.

Class work and homework

Students will be given a class work check-off sheet before every Unit. This sheet must be visible on student’s desk everyday. Students must fill in the corresponding line(s), according to the class work assignment(s) for that day. On completion of assignments within the allotted time, students must have their check-off sheet properly stamped by teacher (complete/incomplete/not done). If an assignment is 100% complete, students will earn 100% credit. If an assignment is stamped incomplete, students can earn a percent credit. The teacher will accept assignments that were stamped as incomplete, but which were finished by the date of the check-off sheet pick-up, for partial credit. Any assignment marked “not done” on a given date will earn 0%.

If the classroom teacher is absent, students are also expected to complete any assignments written on the white board agenda/given by the classroom teacher through the substitute teacher. Students might also receive their needed material the previous day. The classroom secretaries will make sure that technology works properly if needed. Any assignment not turned in to the sub that day, will receive a 0; any incomplete assignment turned in will received an incomplete grade stamp.

Homework assignments will be given three times a week. Assignments will be due a specific date, and will be stamped by teacher; all homework not handed in within the due date will receive a zero.

After school work

Teacher will be available for quick questions, everyday for the first 15min. after school (3:25-3:40). Only 2 days a week (days to be announced) will students be able to stay after school for review of content and extra help (maximum 1 hour).

Tardies

Be in your seat when the bell rings. Being just inside the classroom won’t be considered tardy, but it will make you lose weekly participation points in this class. There will be 4 days of grace period, at the beginning of the semester. These consequences will apply all throughout the semester:

  • tardy – administrative detention
  • excessive tardies – Saturday School/ISS (depending on pattern of behavior)
  • 6+ tardies – suspension of student privileges including but not limited to student parking, homecoming, prom, and extracurricular-athletic event.

Absentee Policy

  • For an excused absence, students have the same number of days absent to complete missed work. It is the student’s responsibility to check with teacher, teacher’s typepad blog, or other students, in order to make up anything that might have been collected or checked that day. In order to make up exams, students need to make the teacher aware about student signing in on the exam make-up log sheet.

If you don’t make it up on a timely manner, that grade is a zero

  • Except in the case of excused absences, late homework or class work will not be accepted.

Grading Procedures

100-90 A Participation/Class work25%

89-80 B Homework15%

79-74 CSpeaking & listening skills15%

73-70 DQuizzes15%

 69-0 FTests15%

Mid term exam 5%

Final Exam10%

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN FRENCH

  1. Get enough sleep.
  2. Eat healthy meals (including breakfast) and drink plenty of water.
  3. Pay attention in class.
  4. Come to class prepared.
  5. Do all homework well and on time.

6. Participate:

  • volunteer answers
  • speak French to the best of your ability
  • contribute actively to discussion

7. Maintain a positive and patient attitude

Learning a foreign language can be challenging, but I am confident that this will be a very positive, fun, and worthwhile experience. I look forward to working with you and hearing your input as the semester progresses. I am available after school everyday for quick questions, and 2 days a week for tutoring, if you still need more help!

¡BONNE CHANCE!~ GOOD LUCK!!!!

Madame Becerra-Seay

STUDENT SIGNATUREPARENT SIGNATURE