Barren County High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: French I
Course Description
This class is an introduction to reading, writing, and speaking the French
language. Students will also learn about and have an appreciation for the
cultures of French-speaking countries. Students will use a textbook and
workbook along with CD's, videotapes and computer programs to learn and
practice the language. Students will be able to communicate using basic
French vocabulary and grammar in a variety of ways.
Instructor: Julie A. Smith
Contact Information: julie.smith@barren.kyschools.us
651-6315
Course Resources: Students are expected to have a notebook especially dedicated to
this class as well as a three ring binder. There will be several handouts which the
student must keep organized. A notebook grade will be given at least once a week. If a
textbook or workbook is lost, the student will be expected to pay a fee before obtaining
a new one. The text is taken up at the end of the semester. The charge for the workbook
is $10.00. It is suggested that students purchase a French-English dictionary since it is
required for French II anyway. Students must bring all materials to class everyday.
Students may also obtain a CD-ROM that contains the textbook, workbook, and
additional games, etc. In order to get a CD, students must fill out an additional book
rental contract. CD's will be taken up at the end of the class. Lost or damaged CD's will
have to be paid for just like textbooks. Just keep the CD at home, and there shouldn't be
a problem. Keep the CD in the case to reduce the chance for scratches.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Grading Policy:
Grades will be given on tests, quizzes, homework, daily class work/participation,
projects, all French day and notebook. Grades on most items are graded on total points.
For performance tasks and projects, rubrics/scoring guides will be used. These scoring
guides will be given ahead of time, so expectations will be clear.
Grades will be based on homework, written quizzes and tests, as well as project grades
and class participation. Each student is expected to do his/her own work on all
assignments unless otherwise instructed. Cheating on homework, quizzes and tests will
result in a 0 for that grade.
Additional Information on homework:
Homework is due on time.
No work will be turned in late.
If you are absent, and the absence is excused, you can make up quizzes, tests,
performance events, and projects.
Unexcused absences result in 0’s for everything.
Excused absences on homework will be blanks on homework grade in computer.
Grades on quizzes, tests, performance events, and projects will be 0’s until made up.
Homework is assigned for practice, so even though your grade will not be counted, it
is important that you do ALL work so you will be prepared for quizzes and tests.
Check teacher website or look at another responsible student’s notebook to see what
was missed during your absence.
Work checked for completion must be quality for it to count.
Homework will be taken up randomly and infrequently.
Bonus points
Opportunities for bonus points will include notecards at the end of each chapter. These
are due the day of the test and will not be taken late regardless of the excuse.
Notecards are supposed to be done prior to the night before the test. You should start
doing notecards as we begin a chapter. Any friend or family member regardless of
whether or not they have had French can help you study with these. They take the
notecards and say, "What is the word for "cow"? You answer and spell it for them. They
make two piles: one for words you got correct and one for words you got incorrect.
Then, they take the pile of incorrectly answered cards and repeat the same process until
you get them correct. Do this before each quiz and test, and not only will you receive 5
extra points added to your test, but you will know how to spell the vocabulary. You must
know the words in order to speak, read, and write. If a student does notecards for every
chapter, several bonus points over the semester are possible.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Anything a student brings in with French writing or relating to French, France, or a
French-speaking country will get point(s). The teacher will not accept the same thing
another student previously turned in. 25 bonus points in this manner are the total which
is acceptable. Look around, and you will find that French is everywhere.
Students may stay after school on Mondays and use computer programs for extra credit.
There are French programs which enhance learning, and unfortunately time often doesn't
permit for their use in class. Let Madame Smith know one day in advance when you are
planning to stay after school for any reason.
The Foreign Language Festival is in March. There are many categories for competition.
Sign up to go, go prepared and you can receive some extra credit. Win first, second, or
third place, and receive more and go to the state Foreign Language Festival in Lexington
in May. Club members do not have to pay a registration fee.
Listen for other extra credit opportunities. Be active in the foreign language club. Go to
meetings and after-school events to receive additional extra credit.
There are many extra points to be had. You must do extra work in order to get them.
The things offered for extra credit will enhance your experience in this class. Do not ask
the last week before a grading period ends for extra credit. You know now what you can
do.
Attendance Policy: Students have up to five school days to make up assignments and/
or tests due to an excused absence. Work may be made up before or after school and
must be scheduled with the course instructor.
In a foreign language, information missed may interfere with class work taking place
upon student's return. It is the student's responsibility to check for missed assignments.
If a student has missed several days, that student should go ahead and make a time with
teacher for tutoring before or after school. Look at another student's notebook/binder for
missed assignments as well.
If all students are active participants in the class, you will have fun learning. It is
possible! Learning a foreign language is a skill that can last a lifetime. It just
depends what you do with it and how hard you try.
Final Exam Policy: Students with any unexcused absences in a course or have been
assigned to ASP are required to take the semester exam which counts as part of the
semester grade.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Classroom Rules:
Rule #1 Be Respectful
Rule #2 Be Prompt
Rule #3 Be Prepared
Consequences:
Verbal Warning
Teacher /Student Conferences
Parent Contact
Office Referral
Procedures
1. Students are expected to be in their seats when the tardy bell rings.
2. Students may eat and drink in class only when we have French food days. If food is
brought into the classroom during break, that is fine. Throw trash away before bell rings
and be ready to start class. If trash is left in room, no food will be allowed in the room at
all.
3. Students are to be respectful to teacher and other students at all times. This includes
the tone of voice.
4. Students should do their best and bring all materials to class everyday.
5. Students are to be attentive.
6. Students are to listen when teacher is talking.
7. Students are to participate when asked or by raising hand.
8. Students are asked to appreciate French.
9. All other school rules and procedures apply in this course!
10. When I need your attention, I will raise my hand, say “écoutez” and wait. You need
to do 3 things: Freeze, turn and look at me, and be ready to do something (listen, take
notes).
11. When you turn in a paper, write your name and date at the top right corner. Include
page number and/or topic also. Get rid of the fringe on the paper also. Write legibly and
very neat.
12. When doing out loud activities with groups or partners use a voice that the person
you are talking to can hear you but not the person across the room. (Use your “inside”
voice). We will practice what that is. Talk only to the members of your group.
13. When doing group work, everyone must contribute to the activity.
How to Organize Your Notebook
You need a 2 - 3 inch three ring binder of all your French work. It is to contain only
French, and must be kept up to date for the entire year. Your notebook will be graded at
random and will have a total value of at least 100 points each nine weeks.
Requirements:
1. There must be a Table of contents which list each page, date, and topic. You can get
additional table of contents pages in the top tray of the blue organizer in the window.
2. All pages must be numbered, labeled, and entered into the Table of Contents. Pages
not listed on the table of contents will not be counted.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
3. The notebook is to be kept in chronological order. Entries are to be made daily. Test
and handouts are to be entered on the date taken, not the date returned. In this way, all
notes, quizzes etc. on topics will be together.
4. Each page must be labeled like the following:
Topic of information
Name (English and French)
(Include source info./text page/etc.)
Date
Entry Page #
5. When you are absent, you are to check the Table of Contents of a classmate to see
what was added to the notebook in your absence.
Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty
are serious offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort.
Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or
interpretations taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a
borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also
plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing
grade in that portion of the course work. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to
the administration. This includes the use of computer translators.
I have read the course syllabus for ______________ and I understand the
expectations and requirements for this course.
Parent Signature: __________________
Student Signature: __________________
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.