Bienvenue à la classe de
français!
Français IVH
Madame Woolley
Dear Parents and Students,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to another exciting year of French study! I commend you on your
decision to continue with French. You will find that studying the French language will be both personally
and academically rewarding.
Required materials:
 A divided 3 ring notebook or binder
The sections should be titled :
-vocabulaire
-grammaire
-devoirs
-examens
-participation
-clochettes
 Pen or pencil
 Looseleaf paper
 Dry erase marker
Useful websites and apps for your phone or tablet:
http://www.verb2verbe.com/ - Verb conjugations
http://www.wordreference.com/ - French / English dictionary
https://conjuguemos.com/ - Verb conjugations and practice
Grading
Grades will be determined by using total points. Students are expected to keep track of their
assignments and grades by logging into Phoenix on a regular basis. There will be a variety of
Formative and Summative assignments throughout the year. Formative assessments assess progress
through the learning process. They will be marked in Phoenix with an « F » on the assignment title.
Summative assessments assess the skills and knowledge learned at the end stage of a concept. They
will be marked with an « S » on the assignment title in Phoenix. Students will be graded using points in
the following categories :
Reading - The students will be assessed in their ability to understand written French. We will be
reading a variety of print materials in French this year such as short stories, poetry, newspaper articles
and magazine articles that discuss a variety of cultural topics in the Francophone world.
Writing – Students will be assessed on their ability to write in French and express themselves
appropriately for their level. They will be asked to write in a variety of formats and lengths..
Speaking – Students will be assessed daily in their ability to express themselves orally in French
through class participation. Speaking grades may be individual, partner or group grades. Students’
speaking skills will be assessed through both interpersonal (conversation) and presentational
(narrative) speaking.
Listening – Students will be assessed in their ability to understand French when they hear it. I will be
using French exclusively in class to assist students’ in their listening skills. It is very important that
students use the language as well in class and stay focused so that other students may practice their
listening skills as well. We will practice listening through a variety of media such as authentic music,
videos, films as well as book exercises on CD.
Homework – Students can be expected to have homework regularly. The purpose of homework is to
practice the vocabulary, language structures and communicative topics that have been discussed in
class. Homework may vary among students depending on their area of need. Not every assignment
will receive a grade, but every assignment will be meaningful and will be used in class the following
day. Homework is a formative assessment and will let the students know their progress before a
summative assessment.
Pre-AP
French 4 is an honors course. The goal of which is to prepare the student for French 5 and the AP class and
the AP test. We will begin to practice activities based on the themes addressed on the AP exam. We will start
with short and simple activities to build their skills towards the AP level. This is to familiarize the students with
the AP format and themes, and to begin to develop their language skills. At this level, the students will be
starting to depend less on vocabulary and grammar and more on producing language, in writing and in
speaking.
Therefore, it is very important that the students communicate only in French in class and to allow the teacher to
speak only French in class as well. This is the best way to incorporate the vocabulary and grammar that we
have learned for the last 3 years.
Société Honoraire de Français
Sophomores who have maintained an A average in their French classes and maintain B+ average in their
other courses may be eligible for the Société Honoraire de Français (French Honor Society). There is no
application process. If you meet the qualifications, then you will be invited to join. This is a national honorary.
Induction Ceremony will be held in October. I will discuss requirements for induction further in class.
French Club
The French Club is open to any Dominion High School student. You do not need to be enrolled in French to
participate in the French Club ! Bring your friends ! Our goals are to experience French and Francophone
cultures through social activities, raise awareness in the school and the community about the value of learning
the French language and about French speaking countries in the world, and also to have fundraisers or
community service projects. The French Club is a warm and fun group sponsored by Mme Woolley and Mme
McDermott. We will be running elections for officers this year, and it’s a great way to get hours towards your
activities letter.
Academic Integrity Policy
World language students are expected to follow the DHS Academic Integrity policy. Students are expected to
do their own work, and not give or receive any unauthorized assistance on assignments and assessments. In
particular, French students should realize that using a translation program or online translator is not
permitted. Teachers are able to distinguish if you used an online translator or a dictionary to do your work.
Students who use dictionaries produce much better written and spoken work than students who use online
translators. The translators online are not very good ! Please read over the Academic Integrity policy in the
student agenda on p. 12 carefully and plan accordingly when completing your assignments (it takes much
longer to use a dictionary !) It also will help you to learn and remember the vocabulary and grammar for long
term retention if you do your own work. Mme Woolley would be happy to assist you if you have any questions
about your assignments.
Electronic devices
The use of electronic devices including, but not limited to: Ipods, cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. will be
permitted but only with permission from the teacher and for instructional activities. Please keep them out of
sight and silenced until we are ready to use them.
Student Expectations Packet – Please go online to the DHS website – Faculty – Woolley, Lara to review the
“Policies and Student / Parent information / Signature Form” link on the left-hand side of the page. Please read
over the file and then enter Student / Parent information on the page for my records. Merci!
I look forward to working with you this year ! Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or suggestions
you have for ensuring your success in French this year.
Sincerely,
Lara Woolley
Lara Woolley
French teacher
Dominion High School
lara.woolley@lcps.org
(571) 434-4400
My personal goals this year:


To have students take more ownership over their learning.
(using self-assessment tools, Clarity, retake opportunities, consistently using French in class)
To create more relevant topics and themes in French
List two goals you have for French this school year.
1.______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please sign and return this contract A.S.A.P.
I have read and understand the preceding information.
I will work together to attain personal and academic success.
Student________________________________Date_____________
Student e-mail address:________________________________
I have read and understand the preceding information.
I will work together to attain personal and academic success for my child.
Parent/Guardian__________________________Date_____________
Parent/Gurardian e-mail address___________________________
Please check one:
□I give permission to discuss progress reports via e-mail.
□I do not wish to discuss progress reports via e-mail.
Please write on the back any comments, questions or concerns you may have at this time.