7th Grade French Syllabus for School Year 2011-2012 Instruction : Mme Renée Bready E-mail: Classroom: Foreign Language Building Telephone: Room 19 rbready@heritagehawks.org 678-423-5370 (School) 770-315-6272 (Cell) Welcome to the study of the French language and culture. I am delighted you have chosen to study the second most frequently taught foreign language throughout the world after English. French is used by over 200 million people in over 50 countries in diplomacy, business and everyday communication. Due to its close association to English, the study of French helps to improve our native language skills and test scores. Bienvenue! We have a fun year planned! Course Description: 7th Grade French provides the beginner student with basic communicative skills in French, an introduction to grammar fundamentals and the concept of verb conjugation. This approach is applicable to the student studying French for the first time, as well as, to those building on an elementary school level program. My goal is to get everyone comfortable speaking in French! All lessons will include cultural and geographical exposures to the French speaking world designed to offer students a look at various aspects of the French people and their language. In addition, students will have the opportunity to experience and learn about French culture through “hands-on” activities to include cooking, craft projects and field trips. Objectives: By the end of the school year 2011-2012 students should be able to: identify and use new French vocabulary and grammatical structures. gain knowledge and understanding French cultural literacy as it relates to English and our culture in the United States. demonstrate awareness of intercultural differences. answer oral questions in French related to lesson topics. Textbook and other materials: Bien Dit! Level 1 (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) Bien Dit! (French 1) Cahier d’Activites A three-ring binder with dividers. A spiral notebook with at least 3 sections Pencils and a blue/black pen for quizzes and tests 3” x 5” Index Cards Grading Policy: 35% Tests/Projects/Notebook 25% Quizzes 20% Homework 20% Class Participation *Students may re-take failed quizzes after school with parental notification for a maximum grade of 75.* Additional Curriculum: Ah Bon? Additional Help: Students may always make arrangements to see me whenever they need help. I am usually in my room everyday after school. Homework: Joanne Thomas (Materials Provided) Weekly homework assignments are listed on my web page accessed through the Faculty section at www.heritagehawks.org 7th Grade French Course and Classroom Procedures Class Materials: Students are required to bring textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, paper and writing implements to class daily. Daily Homework: Assignments will be written on the board at the end of each class and will be posted on my website, as well as, NET Class. Students are responsible for this information even if they are absent the day the work was assigned. Incomplete homework will receive a reduced grade. Any work not turned in on-time will automatically receive a 25% grade reduction for each class session that it is late. Attendance/Tardiness: Daily attendance is essential for optimal progress. Each tardy will result in a reduction in the student’s participation grade for that day. Classroom Management: Mutual respect for all is expected. At the beginning of class, students are expected to: (a) be seated in their assigned seat, (b) be ready (with sharpened pencils, restroom and water breaks) (c) be quiet and attentive either waiting for class to begin or following posted instructions. No candy, food or beverages are to be brought into class. We will have opportunities throughout the year to sample French food as a class. Daily Class Participation: Daily class participation is an integral component of this course. Students will be called upon to speak every day. Details regarding expectations, grading criteria and procedures for self-evaluation are provided. Tests/Quizzes: It is the responsibility of each student to be present on test/quiz days. All tests are announced in advance. The instructor reserves the right to give unannounced quizzes as necessary. All tests and quizzes may be cumulative as a reflection of the true language use. Therefore, students are encouraged to review previously covered materials as we progress with new material. Projects: As the semester progresses, you may be called upon to do work on individual, group or class projects. Make-Up Procedures: If students know they will be absent in advance, it is their responsibility to arrange to get assignments and make-up work before the next class. Students absent on the day before a test/quiz will take the assessment on the regularly scheduled day. Students absent on the day of a test/quiz will take the assessment on the day they return to school. The same schedule will apply to assignments. Make-up tests/quizzes will be administered at a time mutually convenient to both the student and the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed tests/quizzes and/or assignments in compliance with the above rules. Failure to do so will result in a ZERO. *Please note: The above is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Class Rules Students are responsible for bringing their textbook, workbook, homework and binder to class each day unless otherwise notified. The student’s Class Participation grade will be negatively impacted for repeatedly forgetting class materials. Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Students should be prepared when class begins, listen carefully, and follow instructions. Students should demonstrate proper manners and behavior at all times. Proper classroom behavior is reflected in Class Participation grade. Cell phones and other electronics are to be turned off and put out of sight during class hours unless they are being used as a specific class activity with the teacher’s permission. Failure to do so may impact student’s class participation grade. Students are not permitted to enter the classroom until the teacher is present. Use of language translators in any form is in violation of the Honor Code unless specifically approved by the instructor. Code of Conduct Be on time. Be prepared. Do assignments. Respect yourself and others. Obey The Heritage School Honor Code. Behavior: Students and teacher are expected to be well-mannered and courteous to all. Poor behavior by students during any class activity is disruptive to the class learning environment and, therefore, unfair to other students. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in consequences as outlined in The Heritage School Faculty and Staff Handbook. Honor Code: Students agree to abide by the code that was adopted by the Board of Trustees of The Heritage School. 7th Grade French Class Participation Checklist The following expectations are considered when evaluating individual class participation grades: 1. Good attendance records 2. Arriving to class on-time (seated and ready to work when class begins.) 3. Coming to class prepared: All necessary materials brought to class (books, notebook, pen/pencils, assignments.) All assignments READY and COMPLETED. This means, no finishing homework after class has begun. Homework grade may be lowered if student habitually comes to class late. 4. Speaking FRENCH in class: Ask classroom questions in French. Speak to classmates and instructor in French while in class. Avoid the need to have unknown words translated, paraphrase, instead. 5. Complete in-class activities according to the directions given. 6. Work cooperatively. 7. Listen carefully and pay attention. 8. Allow others to work in the class without interruption. _______________________ __________ Student’s Signature Date _______________________ __________ Parent’s Signature Date