français AP ® langue et culture
Je m’appelle: __________________________
Mme James
Salle 1209
Année Scolaire 2015-2016
PART I: FRENCH AP COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture course is holistically designed to offer students
a proficiency-based, rigorous college-level experience to maximize their potential in interpretive, interpersonal, and
presentational skills in French. In order to connect the course with the ACTFL National Standards of Foreign Language of
Learning for the 21st Century, students will be expected to communicate entirely in the target language in AP® French
Language and Culture as they compare and contrast Francophone cultures with their personal communities and
connect their studies with other disciplines in their high school curricula. This course is taught in French.
PART II: GENERAL GUIDELINES:
What does Mme James expect from me every day in class?
A. Character Education Oath: I must be a caring, fair, responsible, respectful, trustworthy citizen in the classroom
at all times. I am a unique and valuable member of our team.
B. Always on Time or Early!: I will always be on time for class or early by being in my seat before the bell rings. I
am not permitted to be tardy to or absent from class for any unexcused reason.
C. NO Gum, NO Food, NO Candy, and ONLY water (if I need a beverage)…KEEP THE ROOM CLEAN!:
1. I will dispose of any gum, food, candy, or beverages other than water PRIOR to entering the classroom.
2. I am responsible for making sure my space and the entire classroom is kept clean with my classmates. I
will not be permitted to leave until the entire room is ready for the next class.
D. No electronic devices permitted for use without Madame James’ permission!: Cell phones, i-Pods, and
other electronics will be confiscated by Mme James if used during class or SHIELD without permission. All cell phones, iPods, and other electronics will be turned in to the main office and I may pick them up at the end of the day. These
devices are for educational use ONLY and privilege will be revoke if used inappropriately.
E. Prepared to Participate!: Upon being seated before the bell rings before class, I will “dress my desk” with my
French materials and immediately begin copying the classroom daily agenda of activities. I will be ready to participate in
class, fully prepared with all necessary materials and assignments required every day.
F. Sign-Out: Whenever I must leave class for an office-related departure or an emergency, Mme James will give me a
hall pass. I must then sign out and back in on the logs in the binder closest to the entrance door. I need to visit the
restroom between classes during the six minutes I have given…It’s the same action Mme James has to take as well!
G. The Bell Does NOT Dismiss Me!: Mme James dismisses me. The bell is her signal to say, “Au revoir!” when she
is ready.
PART III: THE DAILY AGENDA OF ACTIVITIES:
What are our daily activities and goals?
A. The daily agenda provides a list of activities as goals for completion for class each
day. If an activity remains incomplete on any agenda, it may stay on it until it has been
fulfilled for a few sessions depending upon the pacing of the course.
B. Students are required to copy the daily agenda from the board for every class into
their spiral notebooks.
C. Students who are absent from class must copy the missed agenda(s) and notes from
another student or assigned study partner on their own time…NOT during the next
class upon return.
D. Students should consult OneNote or VISION for any missed work stemming from
agendas in case of an absence.
Ask Mme James questions via e-mail at any time! Remind (Formerly Remind 101) will be used at times for reminding
students of assignments or for special announcements via the student’s cellular phone. Parents may also sign up to receive
the messages sent to students. Directions on how to sign up for Remind will be provided in class and posted on VISION.
Mme James will also make announcements and reminders on twitter. Follow her @MlleJames to stay
updated!
PART IV: CLASSROOM MATERIALS: What
materials are required in class each day?
(NOTE: Students who are unprepared for class on any day will receive a
zero on the check chart, eliminating five points of extra credit.)
A. Heavy-duty 1 ½ - 2” 3-ring binder with dividers:
French 3, 4H and 5H: 3 dividers:
Activités & Devoirs / Évaluations / Compositions et
Conversations
French AP ® : 4 dividers: Activités & Devoirs / Évaluations /
Compositions et Conversations / Examens Pratiques AP ®
B. One spiral (college-ruled or graph) notebook for agendas,
class notes, and daily activities
C. Sharpened pencils with erasers
D. Pens (Blue and black ink ONLY)
E. Covered textbook and workbook (as applicable)
The following items will be brought to class ONCE and shared by
all French students:
French 3:
1-2 Dry Erase Markers (any color)
French 4:
1-2 purple or green ball-point pens
French 5:
1 pair of scissors
AP French: 1package of index cards
PART V: ASSIGNMENTS and GRADING:
How will we be graded in this course?
A. The Loudoun County Public Schools Grade Scale will be used in
distributing all individual and final grades during the nine-week marking
periods, semester averages, and year-end averages:
B. Overall grades are based on the number of total points earned
per nine-week marking period. All graded assignments will be worth
100 points and utilize the scale to the right for associations to letter
grades:
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Numeric Grade Range
98-100
93-97
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
1. Homework will be assigned according to agenda listings.
Students who fail to complete homework
will earn a zero on the check chart, eliminating five extra
credit points earned in class. All homework assignments will
be assessed in class.
2. Time necessary to complete assignments will vary.
3. Late assignments will be penalized by ten points
(10%) for every day late. (See next section)
PART VI: MAKE-UP POLICY:
What if I miss class for an excused reason?
A. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work missed for any
reason.
B. Agendas posted in the classroom, on VISION, and via e-mail may
be used to check on missed assignments.
C. Be sure to get missed notes from a class mate prior to returning
to class! It’s your job to stay focused on your education!
D. Students have the number of days missed plus one (+1) for
making up assignments stemming from excused absences. Extended absences will be handled individually.
E. Students missing for extracurricular activities or other school-approved absences are responsible to
retrieve their work before that class is missed. These students will have the same due dates and
responsibilities as those attending class that day.
PART VII: THE CHECK CHART and BEYOND: What types of
extra credit or grade assistance can be earned in Mme
James’ classes?
A. The Check Chart:
1. The check chart is a record of live student performance in class…and it is all EXTRA
CREDIT on other grades!
2. During the time checks are being recorded, students may volunteer or be called on
involuntarily to answer questions or perform classroom tasks to receive extra credit
checks (points). Students will receive checks only for perfectly correct answers.
3. Students will receive an extra credit A grade for every five (5) correct answers (checks) given in class:
EXAMPLE: A student earns 70 checks (correct answers) during the first quarter:
70 / 5 = 14 extra As!
4. Checks may be awarded also for special activities in class, such as games, presentations, all at teacher
discretion.
5. The percent value of each A rises every quarter:
1st Quarter: 90 % A – for every 5 checks
3rd Quarter: 92 % A – for every 5 checks
nd
2 Quarter: 91 % A – for every 5 checks
4th Quarter: 93 % A -- for every 5 checks
6. Students who have a higher average grade than the percentage value for checks during a marking
period will receive bonus points as follows on their final nine week marking period average:
 50-75 checks earned = +1 point on final nine week marking period average
 76-100 checks earned = +2 points on final nine week marking period average
 101+ checks earned = +3 point on final nine week marking period average
7. Students will receive a 0 on the check chart for not completing homework, not being prepared, and not
participating in class.
** A 0 cancels an entire A earned on the check chart!! **
BE READY AT ALL TIMES TO PERFORM! IT CAN EARN YOU NEEDED POINTS!
B. In-Class and Out-of-Class Cultural/Academic Activities/Games: Students may
be awarded bonus points (checks) based upon the performance on in-class and out-of-class
cultural/academic activities or special review games.
PART VIII: Retake Policy:
What if I didn’t do my best on a quiz or test?
A. Students are permitted ONE re-take on a quiz or test per quarter
B. Students must inform Madame James via email that they would like to retake a quiz or test within 72 hours of
receiving the grade. Students are NOT permitted to retake old assessments at the end of the quarter.
C. The new grade on the assessment will be AVERAGED with the old grade.
PART IX: ASSISTANCE/ENRICHMENT:
What if I need help beyond the classroom setting?
A. Mme James is here for you!: Email or see Mme James to set up an
appointment for extra help before school, after school, or during SHIELD.
Passes will be distributed the day before or in the morning of the SHIELD
rotation. Mme James will not give out SHIELD passes right before the
SHIELD block begins.
B. Tutoring: If you would like to schedule an appointment with a
National French Honor Society student for additional tutoring or
assistance, please e-mail Mme James and this can be arranged. If you would like a French tutor at home, see or email
Mme James for a list of several tutors in the area.
PART X: THE KEY TO SUCCESS: DISCIPLIN E
This course will be a very enjoyable one for you in many aspects, but will
also require your hard work and dedication to succeed. We are a team
with high expectations moving towards a common goal of learning as
much as possible concerning the French language and associated cultures.
You will notice your skills becoming more and more proficient with the
endurance required to succeed. Be confident and follow the instructions
in this document carefully to provide yourself with the opportunity to
achieve the best! You’ll do very well if you are disciplined and dedicate
yourself!
---------------------------------------------------STUDENT/PARENT CONTRACT-------------------------------------------------------------I understand the guidelines listed above and will follow them completely for the duration of this course. I
will also follow all other policies in our JCHS and LCPS handbooks, recognizing that they are in full effect
in this classroom. Please give me two checks for bringing this paper back signed by me and a parent / guardian
by the next time we have class. 
STUDENT PRINTED NAME:
STUDENT SIGNATURE:
PARENT / GUARDIAN PRINTED NAME:
PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURE:
DATE:
TEACHER INITIALS for NOTIFICATION of RECEIPT OF CHECKS: _________
Bonne chance!