Course Syllabus
French 2 2013-2014
Morgan Park High School
1744 West Pryor Avenue
Chicago, IL 60643
Instructor: Ms. Watson, B.A. French University of Illinois at Urbana
M.Ed Secondary Education DePaul University
773-535-2550
Main
Office:
bawatson@cps.edu
E-mail:
Morganparkcps.org / impact.cps.k12.il.us
Website:
**COURSE SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS TEACHER DEEMS NECESSARY**
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TEXT: Discovering French Blanc 2 McDougal Littell 2005
French/English dictionary (to be supplied by student by Tuesday 9/4/13)
Le Mystere de faux billets (to be supplied by student by Tuesday 10/1/13)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The French 2 curriculum is closely aligned with specific Illinois learning goals
and Standards. The Standard-based curriculum incorporates focusing on reading, writing, listening and
speaking French and understanding the culture. This will be done by incorporating different strategies in which
you will be expected to participate: role play, writing letters, creating projects, and engaging in the target
language.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: The communication-driven curriculum helps to build upon the foundation for verbal, listening
and writing skills laid in previous French courses. It is designed to help students understand more complex connections
between other cultures and the world in which they live. The objectives of the course are to:
1. develop students’ intercultural understanding
2. enable students to understand and use the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for
a variety of purposes
3. encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation
of the different perspectives of people from other cultures
4. develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
5. develop students’ awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they
are familiar
6. provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional
language
7. provide the opportunity for enjoyment, creativity and intellectual stimulation through knowledge of
an additional language.
COMMON CORE STANDARDS:
SLL 5.1 Communities: Beyond the School Setting.
Use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
SLL 1.1 Interpersonal Communication
Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
SLL 2.1 Cultures: Practices and Perspectives
Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal behavior in interpersonal communication.
SLL 4.1 Comparison: Language:
Demonstrate an awareness of formal and informal language expression in other languages and one’s own.
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE:
Weeks 1-10 Le Cinema, Present, Futur Proche,
Immediate Past, midterm, La France, IB quarter
project
Weeks 11-20Les Sports, Futur Simple, Semester Exam,
L’Afrique quarter project
Weeks 21-29 La Santé, Passé Composé, midterm, Les
îles, quarter project
Weeks 30-38 La Musique, Imperfect, Semester Exam,
Le Canada, quarter project
REQUIREMENTS:
1. French/English Dictionary
2. Writing utensil (Black/blue ink or pencil only. However, final versions of projects/papers must be typed unless
cleared with teacher ahead of time.)
3. Index cards (25 per wk)
4. All work should be completed on time for credit. 1 late assignment per quarter will be accepted for full credit
if turned in within 1 week of being assigned. No other late work will be accepted. If you are late to class,
your homework is considered late and subject to the late homework policy.
5. In the event that you are absent from school, any missing work must be turned in, or made up by the second day
of your return. However, if the absence is unexcused the quiz/test/assignment may not be made up and NO credit
will be given. Make up work is to be scheduled outside of regular class time by signing up in the classroom. It is
YOUR responsibility to see your instructor and to make arrangements. If you are returning from suspension,
missing work must be turned in the day you return. Any work missed, or not turned in, due to tardiness or a hall
sweep will result in a zero.
GRADING SCALE:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
59 and below = F
TEACHER’S SCHEDULE:
Ms. Watson
RM 330
Period 2
RM 330
Period 3
RM 330
Period 5
RM 330
Period 6
RM 330
Period 7
The following are the cornerstone of a positive learning environment
1. Respect. You are accountable for your behavior. THINK before you ACT. Respect yourself, each other and
keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
2. Punctuality. Be prompt! Be on time to class, in your assigned seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
Being prompt to class also means being prepared, bringing all classroom materials needed to learn.
3. Attitude. Come into class with a good, positive attitude.
4. Effort. TRY!!! Effort in this class can go a long way. Trying also means taking responsibility for your own
academic progress in this class.
GRADE EVALUATION:
1. The grade for each quarter will be determined in the following way:
Grade weighting
Classwork
Quiz
Test
Mid-Term/Semester Finals
Projects/Special Assignments
Homework
Notebook
25%
15%
15%
15%
15%
10%
5%
2. All assignments/tests/quizzes for the week are announced and posted in the classroom on the first day of the school
week. Assignments/announcements are also posted on www.morganparkcps.org under the corresponding course.
Homework assignments are given three to four times a week and vary in point values and focus. Some assignments
require writing, while others involve and/or include speaking practice and study. To receive full credit, homework must be
ready to turn in when students enter. Some assignments will be counted as a test or quiz grade. Please remember that a
lack of points for homework will bring down your grade. Grades are updated weekly on IMPACT. Parents and students
are encouraged to access the IMPACT portal often to monitor student grades. Your goal in class should be to receive
100% for each assignment, which is assigned to help you study as well as to prepare you for a success in the acquisition of
your new language.
3. Students will be required to keep notebooks/binders. The notebook/binder should have 4, completely separate and
clearly marked sections. The following are the requirements for each section:
1. Homework and Objectives- students must have the date, daily objectives and homework listed for each
day. Students may list more than one day per page.
2. Grammar- students must record grammar lessons/points for the day/week in the grammar section.
3. Vocabulary- students must record vocabulary for the day/week in the vocabulary section.
4. Returned work/handouts- students must keep all returned work/handouts to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
5. Students will have a weekly vocabulary list and quiz.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
It is important for you to keep up with ALL classroom assignments and homework as it gives practice of the new material
being learned in class. To receive full credit for any assignment, it must:
1. Be turned in on time at the beginning of the period for homework and at the end of the period for class work.
2. Be complete.
3. Be legible.
4. Be the student’s own work. (No type of translating tool is permissible.)
RECOVERY PLAN:
If a student is failing, or in danger of failing, at, or before, the time of progress reports/report cards, he or she is entitled to
ask for a Recovery Plan.
1. The recovery plan must be initiated AT LEAST 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE FINAL REPORT CARD
GRADE IS DUE.
2. It does not guarantee a passing grade.
3. It will not allow for more than 10% of the total grade.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES/SUGGESTIONS:
1. Students, when in class, SPEAK FRENCH! Even if you make mistakes, your French will improve.
2. Ask your child to go over the day’s or week’s notes with you and explain what they have learned.
You can have them explain what they didn’t understand so that they can articulate a question they want to ask in
class the next day.
3. Help your child make and study flashcards for the chapter’s vocabulary.
4. After a quiz or test, go back over the notes or book to find the correct answers to the questions they missed.
5. Rent French films. (You can get them at many larger libraries for free.)
6. Using the language selection option on most DVDs, watch a familiar movie with French subtitles or language
track.
7. Contact the Alliance Francaise to find a language exchange group that will allow your child to practice French
with a native speaker.
8. Stay away from online translators!!!!
9. Visit websites such as www.rfi.fr.com to help read and listen to authentic French media.
10. Review notes 10-15 minutes on a daily basis, even when there is no formal homework due.
11. Check school website for current and upcoming assignments/tests/projects.
CLASSROOM/LEARNING ENVIRONMENT EXPECTATIONS:
1. Students must have IDs on, around their necks and visible before entering the class and for the duration of the
class.
2. Students are expected to be in the classroom and in their seats when the bell rings. Students will lose the
points for the daily bell-ringers every time they are tardy. If they are late on a quiz day, they will NOT
receive additional time to take the quiz. If they miss it entirely due to tardiness, they will receive a zero
without possibility to make it up
3. Students are expected to come to class fully prepared with book, notebook, assignments and writing utensils.
Students who come unprepared will receive a zero for the day’s work.
4. Students are expected to use class time wisely, no personal grooming or completing work for other subjects.
5. Students are expected to raise their hand to get out of their seat or speak during instruction time. Students
will be reminded of classroom protocol, but will face disciplinary actions if it is a continual problem.
6. Students are expected to use appropriate school language. Cursing is not acceptable. Major occurrences of
obscenities will result in a phone call home and possible office referral.
7. Students are expected to respect each other and the teacher. There will be no name calling or insulting of
anyone. Penalties include, but are not limited to: verbal warning, writing assignment, phone call home and
parent conference.
8. Students are expected to turn in all assignments on time. (Classwork cannot be turned in late. Major
assignments turned in after the due date for any reason is worth no more than half credit; even in the event of
a student’s absence.)
9. Students are expected to complete their own work. There is to be no use of ANY type of translator, copying
or allowing someone else to do the assignment. Any work not the student’s own will receive a zero without
possibility for a make –up.
10. Students are expected to check the homework board, or school website, if they are absent on the first day of
the week to get the homework/vocabulary for the week.
11. Students will be allowed to re-take one test or quiz per quarter. It is up to the student to arrange for a time to
complete the make-up test within one week of the original test.
12. Students are expected to respect the property of others. This includes school property. Do not take or touch
what does not belong to you without permission from the owner or teacher.
13. Students are expected to consume any food, drink, gum or candy during lunch. Such items are not allowed in
the classroom and will be placed directly in the garbage.
14. Students are expected to follow the school rules concerning all electronic devices.
15. Students are expected and encouraged to ask the teacher for additional work and/or assistance when needed.
16. The students can expect the teacher to treat them with respect.
17. The students can expect the teacher to consider different points of view and circumstances when making
decisions.
18. The students can expect the teacher to follow the discipline guidelines and rules set forth by the school, CPS,
or both.
Parents can expect grades on the IMPACT parent portal and homework on the school website to be updated weekly.
I have read carefully and I agree to:
a. Complete all of the assignments to the best of my ability.
b. Attend all classes unless I am ill or in an excused school activity.
c. Abide by all guidelines as specified in the course syllabus.
d. Work with my student to achieve the course’s academic/language acquisition goals.
Please provide contact information:___________________________________________________________
STUDENT: (print)_____________________________________ (signature)__________________________
WITNESSED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN:
(print name and relationship)______________________________________________________
(signature)____________________________________________
(date)________________________________________________