French I Class Syllabus
Instructor: Sarah Shackelford, room 207
Email: (home) or (school)
My Homepage:http://madameshackelford.wikispaces.com/
Phone: (513) 931-0712 (school) or 513-560-1828 (cell) or
(513) 202-4137(Google voice number; leave a voicemail.)
(I am generally available in Room 207 during the lunch period and at least a half an hour before school starts. You can also make arrangements to see me after school if you need extra help or have any concerns. I check email often and reply promptly when contacted. You and/or your parents may also reach me via my cell phone if needed.)
Scope of French I
Students in French I use the language in activities that embed structures and vocabulary in real life contexts and make frequent use of authentic materials. Activities encompass all three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and promote development of communicative competence and understanding of the cultural products, practices, and perspectives of the Francophone world. Students will learn to obtain, understand, exchange and present basic information, and will be able to ask and answer questions about various topics such as self, family, school activities, celebrations, meals and weather. They will connect with other content areas, and will also develop a greater understanding of the structure of their own language as well as the unique aspects of their own culture.
According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language Proficiency Summary: Targeted Proficiency Range: Novice-Mid: Students communicate using memorized words and phrases to communicate about familiar topics related to school, home, and the community
Honors French I Note: Students seeking a more in-depth interaction with French language and culture may enroll in the Honors option for French I. Students choosing this option will follow the same syllabus and meet the same requirements as other French I students, but will also complete an additional, independent activity and/or project component for each class unit of study, as assigned by the teacher. Honors assignments will be documented, maintained in a portfolio, and graded.
Class Goals and Activities:
French class goals support the mission of Finneytown Local School District and are based on Ohio’s Academic Content Standards for Foreign Languages that outline what students should know and be able to do with a Foreign Language. Emphasis is placed on functional proficiency in a communicative context. The instructional approach is designed to facilitate genuine interaction with others, and offers opportunities to explore, develop, and use other subject content, communication strategies, learning strategies, critical thinking skills, and skills in technology as well as the appropriate elements of the language system and culture. A wide variety of methods and techniques are used in the classroom, including student centered activities in pairs and groups, information gap exercises, role play, drama, games, narration of imagery, songs and music, dictation cloze activities, dialogue practice, storytelling, interactive media via technology, epal exchanges, direct instruction of reading, writing, speaking and listening strategies, and more.
Resources and Required Supplies: Resource materials are mostly drawn from a wide variety of authentic sources in both print and non-print, and you will receive many handouts. You are expected to maintain and bring to class everyday a three ring binder organized in four sections: a) handouts b) class notes and homework c) journal d) miscellaneous. This will be checked regularly. Every item should be dated and kept in chronological order. I may announce a notebook check ahead of time, or I may check the notebook “as is” with no warning. Your notebook should be up to date and organized at all times. You should also always have available a writing utensil (either pen or pencil, preferably not in red ink).
Evaluation Procedures: Progress toward proficiency in the three modes of communication will be assessed frequently, both formatively and summatively, and by a variety of means: graded assignments and projects, presentations, quizzes (oral and written), tests (oral and written), informal and formal class activities, integrated performance and proficiency assessments, and use of portfolios and journals for reflection and self assessment. Tests are announced in advance, and quizzes are USUALLY announced. Rubrics and/or checklists describing grading criteria for assignments and activities will generally be available. Short daily homework practice is randomly checked only for completion. Participation is not graded, as it is simply expected and necessary if you want to do well in class. Letter grades, based on percentage values, follow the scale outlined by the district.
Course Units: (Note that these may be subject to change or order during the course of the year). Units are broad in scope and cover a variety of topics, language functions, and activities.
1st Semester : Getting Acquainted/School Life; Yourself, Friends and Family ; Home, Cities, and Neighborhoods ; Les Vetements et la Mode (clothing and shopping) ; Holidays in France
2nd Semester: La Routine Quotidienne (Daily Routine); Avez-vous Faim? (French food and eating habits); A trip to Paris with Uncle Jasper ! ; Health and Sports; Louisiana Tales