French I
Bienvenue à la classe de français!
Congratulations on choosing to take French I as an eighth grader! This year long class
will earn you high school credit and the grade will be on your high school transcript.
Also by starting to study a language now, you have given yourself a great opportunity to
study the language longer with better chances at fluency and therefore are on your way
to open more doors!
During this year, we will learn the French language through the practice of
reading, writing, speaking and listening. We will also experience and learn
different cultures.
“To learn a language is to
have one more window
from which to look at the
world.”
Mandarin proverb
Class expectations
-Come to class prepared every day. You should have a folder, a writing utensil, some
notebook paper and colored pencils. *
-Be in your seat and ready for class when the bell rings. (2nd tardy = 1 unexcused absence see school’s absence policy)
-Be courteous and responsible. *
-Be respectful of people and things (most classroom materials and objects are the
property of the school or of the teacher!)
-Participate in a constructive and positive manner. *
-Eating and chewing gum may interfere with good pronunciation, so they will not be
permitted during class.
-Personal phones or other devices will only be used with teacher permission. When not
used for instructional purposes with teacher permission, phones should not be heard or
seen in class. See phone usage in the technology section.
* These rules are part of your weekly class participation grade! *
Grades
Students will be graded in the four areas of reading, writing, listening and
speaking. There will be three weighted categories.
In-class activities and homework will occur most often if not on a
daily basis. These activities will develop their skills in the language.
Students should study at least 15 minutes a day; either with
homework, going over class work or practicing French! (see how to
study for a language)
70%
Class participation is a weekly grade and is based on their
willingness to positively participate in all facets of class, follow the
class expectations, and use French as much as possible.
Projects will mainly be used as cultural research or at the end of a
unit. A possible culminating project could occur at the end of the
year.
Assessments will come in a variety of ways. All tests will be
announced with at least a week notice and usually longer. Most
quizzes will be announced but students should be prepared daily.
Assessments will evaluate the students’ progress in all four areas.
Students will also take 4 district-required performance based
assessments throughout the year which may be used as a grade.
The semester test and final are assessments at the end of each
semester to see your proficiency in the language!
20%
10%
100%
Materials
Students will be issued a “Bon Voyage” textbook and workbook. The
textbook needs to be covered and it is the student’s responsibility to keep
the textbook in good shape. Students can write in the workbook. The
workbook has written and listening activities that will be used in-class and at home if
needed. Students should have their textbooks and workbooks in class. Lost textbooks
and workbooks will need to be replaced at the student’s cost.
Technology
Language lab
We will use the language lab every now and then to practice our
speaking and listening skills with various activities. We will also use it to take parts of
the district test every 9 weeks.
Edmodo
We will try using Edmodo this year. Edmodo is a Facebook-like website but for
education. Edmodo provides a secure place for students and teachers to connect,
share educational apps, access class discussions and notifications. Students can take
quizzes or surveys. All communication is viewed by the group, there is no private
messaging. Parents can also become a member of our Edmodo. Students will set it up
at school during one of our class.
Phones
Phones can be useful and fun tools in the classroom. During class, Phones should not
be seen or heard unless the student has teacher permission or as a class activity. Not
having a phone in class will not hinder a student’s ability to participate and/or his/her
grade.
Apps and internet sites
There are some good apps and internet sites out there for language learners. I have
put a list on the “How to study for a language” page. I also have and keep up with a
Quia page with all the vocabulary lists and grammar concepts that we will see this year.
Students will be allowed to use phone and visit the sites or use the apps if they are
finished with an activity and there is some down time.
Absence
-Of course daily presence will always benefit learning,
but things happen. As per the student handbook,
students have one day for each day of absence to make
up work unless other arrangements have been made.
-Students who will miss school due to sports or other school activities need to be
responsible and get their work ahead of time and turn it in the following day.
-It is the student’s responsibility to get any needed work.
Late work
Late assignments will be accepted, however:
A “missing work” sheet needs to be filled out the day the assignment is
due.
 Late assignments will not receive full credit, it will receive 70% of the
earned grade.
 Late assignments must be submitted within two days of the due date
unless other arrangements were discussed with the teacher.
 Tests and quizzes may not be missed due to not having turned in
work unless there were two or more days of absence during the
introduction of a concept (tests and quizzes are announced at least with
one week notice).

Behavior
Students are expected to be on their best Behavior. If behavior becomes an issue, the
teacher will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Give the student a verbal warning
Have a conference with the student
Contact the student’s parent/guardian
Give detention
Contact principal
*** Some circumstance may bypass some steps
Supplies
For this class you will need:
-
1” binder (any color)
1 package of notebook paper
1 package of 5 dividers
A writing utensil
Colored pencils
“Those who know nothing
of foreign languages know
nothing of their own.”
-Johann Wolfgang von
Goeth
Also tissues and disinfecting wipes will be greatly appreciated – we like to keep our
noses happy and be germs free as much as possible!!!
Student and Parent/Guardian
Please fill out the following, cut on the line above and return no later than Friday 08/28/2015
(this counts for a grade!)
I, _________________________ (student’s
name) have read the 8th grade French I
class explanation. I understand the content
and what is expected of me in this class.
I/we, _____________________ (parent(s)’s
name) have read the 8th grade French I
class explanation. I/We understand the
content and what is expected of my child in
this class.
Signature___________________________
Signature___________________________
date___________________
date___________________