DeVry Advantage Academy High School
French II - Syllabus
Contact information:
Bethany Blackwood
bblackwood@cps.edu
773-697-2023
Office Hours: Wed & Thur 3:30 – 4:30pm (Other times by appointment.)
Class website: www.duaablackwood.weebly.com
Course Description:
The French language will be studied from a standpoint of the 5 C’s of foreign language: communication,
cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. This course will be taken through the online
Aventa program for French level 2. Primarily, students will be responsible for independently learning
from the online program and graded by their online teacher. However, supplemental instruction in the
classroom with Ms. Blackwood and peers such as projects, activities and conversations will happen with
each unit. As the year progresses, so will the expectations and language tasks required of the students.
Communication appropriate to students’ level of comprehension will take place daily – listening,
speaking, reading and writing. Putting these components together will provide students with a
foundation that will allow them to apply their knowledge in contexts where French is spoken.
Course Objectives:
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Write using target language vocabulary and grammar structures to express basic emotions and
information
Find relevant information from reading or listening to French
Converse with others in French in model daily life situations
Describe common culture and practices in French speaking countries
Compare American culture to the culture in Francophone countries
(From Aventa course description.)
Course materials to bring to class daily:
 Spiral notebook or paper (for French notes only!)
 Folder (for French only!)
 1 blue/black and 1 colored pen
Absences and Make-up work:
Students should attend class every day in order to keep up to date with the tasks required on Aventa and
supplemental work, but should absences occur students will be able to continue their Aventa work from
home. Supplemental work should be turned in no later than 3 days following an excused absence.
(Unexcused absences will result in late work penalties.)
Late work:
All online Aventa work must be completed by the deadlines for each unit, as prescribed by Ms. Blackwood
and the online program. Late work will face a reduction of 10% per day late.
Grading policy:
Most assignments are submitted through the online program and graded by their online teacher.
However, I can adjust students’ grades as necessary – either giving extra points for quiz/test corrections,
or by enforcing late penalties for deadlines. My class website, www.duaablackwood.weebly.com, has a
calendar of assignments and helpful resources for students. Grades will be given on an ongoing basis and
updated by 9:00 am each Friday. Students and parents should check grades often on the CPS portal.
Grade overview:
30% Assignments
30% quizzes**
40% tests**
(includes final exam)
SIGN UP FOR TRIGGERS ON STUDENT/PARENT
PORTAL!
Grading scale:
Aventa homework and supplemental classwork or
assignments from Ms. Blackwood.
Quizzes as specified in Aventa program. Students may come
for tutoring and to quiz corrections.
End of unit test, final exam (cumulative). (Students may
come for tutoring and do test corrections.)
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = under 60%
Expectations:
In order to promote a supportive environment of learners, I have the following expectations of students.
In case of persistent issues, school administration and parents will be notified of discipline issues.
Behavior
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Responsible,
independent
learners
Respectful
Prepared
No food in class
Technology
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Computer used for
classwork only!
Cell phones & devices
for school activities
only
No ear buds in class!
FRENCH II WITH MS. BLACKWOOD
Mindset
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Growth mindset
Determined
United
Adaptable
Achieving
I don’t know! (IDK)
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Review notes
Try again
Ask classmates
Other resources
Tutoring
2015-2016
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),
I am glad your student will be part of our French community this year! Due to the small size of DUAA and
limited number of students needing French 2 this year, the course will be based online. I am a certified French teacher
and I will be closely monitoring, assisting and supplementing your child’s instruction every day. There will be homework
to be completed and submitted online most days a week. All students have easy access to computers at DUAA that can
be used to complete their homework. I am confident that if they put in solid effort, they will learn a lot and be highly
successful in my class. I emphasize our school Core Values, which means DUAA students are encouraged to be
Determined, United, Adaptable and Achieving. I will expect students to work well independently and groups as they are
learn from the online program. Be sure to read the following sections of the syllabus:
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Tutoring (office hours) (Tutoring helps improve grades! Develop good habits before it’s too late.)
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Grading (updated at 9:00am Friday; sign up for triggers on Parent Portal for notifications)
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Quiz & test retake policy (Growth mindset: if you need to try again, do it! Put in the effort needed for success.)
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Materials needed for class
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Website (homework, helpful resources, deadlines can be found at www.duaablackwood.weebly.com)
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at any point during the year. You may email me at
bblackwood@cps.edu or call my desk at 773-697-2023. Thank you so much!
-Ms. Bethany Blackwood
**PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION TO MS. BLACKWOOD BY 9/9/15**
Student name: ______________________________________
Class period: ____________
STUDENT: If you have read the syllabus, understand the expectations & agree to put forth your best effort, sign below:
Signature: ____________________________________________
PARENT: If you have read the syllabus, & understand the expectations, please sign below.
Signature: ____________________________________________
Best method of contact: ______________________________________________________ (provide phone and/or email)
Any other questions or concerns?