French II

VillaRicaHigh School

Mrs. J. Miller, Instructor

Room 501

770-459-5185

Course Overview and Syllabus

Part A

Course Description

In French II, students will review basic vocabulary and grammar and build on previous knowledge of verb tenses in order to describe events in the past as well as continue to strengthen their ability to communicate in the present and discuss plans for the future. At the end of French II, students should be able to discuss food and clothing, and leisure activities. They will inquire about and relate both past events and future plans, and get around town, both understanding and giving directions. They should also be able to discuss their home and family life and relate to French speakers in a variety of social situations, i.e. sharing a meal, discussing a problem, giving opinions, etc.

Text and Materials

We will use the following textbook and accompanying workbook:

Valette and Valette (2004) Discovering French Nouveau, Blanc 2. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell

Students will need the following materials:

  1. A three-ring binder and notebook paper
  2. A bound composition notebook (NOT SPIRAL) for journal-keeping.
  3. Pens, pencils, erasers, colored pencils and 2 Expo markers

Class Outline

The units of study covered in French II will generally follow the time-line below:

1st Nineweeks-Reprise(Review), “Soyez a la mode!” (French and American fashion); Unité 1, “Qui suis-je?” (Who am I?) and

2nd Nineweeks-Unité 2 “Le Week-end, enfin!” “Qu’est-ce qu’on fait?” (It’s the weekend, finally! What to do?) Culture Unit-Images du Monde Francophone “La France et l’Europe”(Picturing the European French-speaking world) ; semester exams

Semester Break

3rd Nineweeks-Unité 3 “Bon Appetit” (Enjoy your meal!) Cultural Unit – Images du Monde Francophone “l’Amerique et la France d’outre-mer” (Picturing the French-speaking world in the Americas and overseas)

4th Nineweeks- Unité 4 – “Loisirs et spectacles” (Leisure time activities); Unité 5 “Vive le sport! ”(Let’s get active!); French film seminar–semester exams

II. Course requirements

In order to obtain a unit of credit, a student must achieve a 70 or above average for the year.

III. Grading

The total class average will be computed on a running point value. The average will be computed by dividing the maximum number of points for all assignments into the actual number of points earned by the student.

Examples of types of assignments:

  1. Warm-ups-25 pts
  2. Homework-25 pts
  3. Vocabulary quizzes-30-40 pts

4. Lesson Quizzes- 40 pts

5. Dialogue/ speaking presentations or interviews-40 pts

6. Unit tests-100 pts x 2

7. Nineweeks and Semester Tests-100 pts x 3

  1. Culture/ Chapter projects-100 pts x 2

Let me stress the importance of coming to class. Regular attendance is the only way to succeed in a foreign language class. Many of our learning activities are spoken or listening only. These experiences are lost to you if you are absent, since they cannot be adequately made up in Saturday school or even with one on one tutoring with me.

Student weekly responsibilities at home

  1. Read and study the assigned lesson.
  2. Vocabulary work: Copy the assigned vocabulary in your notebook. Make flashcards or use to practice pronunciation, spelling and English equivalents for each lesson. This will prepare you for role-plays, dictations and other listening and writing activities during class time.
  3. Complete the workbook and/or practice worksheets for each lesson.
  4. Do assigned written activities, if any.
  5. Memorize and practice dialogs and mini-stories and be prepared for oral interviews. These will be graded based on the oral proficiency guidelines you receive.

Make-up work

If your absence is excused, you may make up any work that was assigned. You have three days to contact me about making arrangements to complete missing work. Once contact is made, the due date is the next class period, unless otherwise stated. It is your responsibility to arrange to make up work.

Part B

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Class rules:

  1. Be in the class working quietly on the warm-up when the bell rings.
  2. Respect school property, other students, the teacher and the learning/teaching process.
  3. Participate in class activities.
  4. Water only, please.
  5. Teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.

If you choose to break a rule:

Weekly violations

First time:Reminder of rule

Second time:Teacher/student conference

Third time: Office referral

.

Procedures

Or

Things that we do to make our class run smoothly! ;-)

  1. Give me and each other a forgiveness cushion. I promise you that I have your best interests at heart.

B. Restroom sign-out-

-only ONE student may go at a time.

-you may only leave during student time.

-you have three bathroom passes per Nine-weeks. Use them wisely.

-if you choose not to use your three passes, you will receive five points of extra credit.

  1. Tardy policy:

When the tardy bell rings, the classroom door will close. It will be locked. Please knock on the door. After you are admitted, sign the tardy sheet on the clipboard. If you have a note, place it in the basket. Then have a seat and immediately begin your work. The first unexcused tardy is a warning. After the second, your parent or guardian will be contacted. After three unexcused tardies, you will receive an office referral

  1. Class dismissal:

When the bell rings, please remain seated until I dismiss you. Packing up books and papers before I am finished is distracting to other students as well as being inconsiderate to me. You could also miss some important last minute instructions.

  1. Partner Pair or Group Work:

Much of the work we do in class is speaking practice and group projects. I expect you and your partner(s) to be on task and working to your highest potential during this time.

It is especially important for you to honor any commitment to a group project or scheduled presentation. If you are unable to be present at such a time, I require 24 hours notice of the absence or you will receive a zero on the project. Exceptions will be made in the case of medical emergencies or the death of a family member.

  1. Class Materials:

Students are expected to bring their textbook, notebooks, pens and pencils every day to class.