Exploratory Foreign Langauge
Señora Fragel
Tentative Syllabus for 2013 - 2014
Availability:
If you need extra help or would like to talk with your teacher, please do so as soon as possible. Waiting may
cause you to fall behind.
Señora Fragel: Available after school, during homebase, and occasionally before school. Please make an
appointment for one of these times.
Class Webpage: Daily assignments and test and project notifications are posted every Monday on our
classroom webpage, which is accessible via the Herrick website, under the classrooms link. You can also find
project rubrics and helpful Internet links there as well.
Goals:
* To prepare students for future foreign language study.
* To help students develop a variety of foreign language study skills.
* To introduce students to basic words and phrases in French, Spanish, and German.
* To infuse students with greater cultural awareness for countries other than their own.
Overview:
Our nine-week Exploratory Foreign Language program will be dedicated to the study of the French, Spanish,
and German languages and cultures. Students who successfully complete this program will be able to
comprehend and use basic introductory French, Spanish, and German vocabulary and grammar concepts in
verbal, written, and auditory forms. In addition to this, they will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of
common cultural concepts from countries where these languages are spoken. These aims will be achieved
through the use of creative, engaging lessons; small group and pairs activities; games; projects; pertinent
literature; music; the Internet; videos; pictures; genuine cultural artifacts; etc. The class will be conducted in
English, but students will be expected to use the target languages as much as is feasibly possible.
Course Materials:
You will need to bring the following materials to class everyday. Failure to do so will result in loss of daily
participation points.
 Pen or Pencil to write with
 Spiral notebook and/or Loose leaf paper
 2 pocket folder
 Exploratory Foreign Language Packet
 Colored pen for grading
 Index cards
Grades:
Quarter grades are based on the following criteria:
Daily Homework & Participation – 10%
Tests / Quizzes – 40%
Speaking Assessments – 35%
Other Assessments – 25%
Homework:
Homework will serve to reinforce and enhance in-class work and study. Frequently, it will extend into the
lessons of the next class period. Homework is to be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the day that
it is due. If it is turned in any time after this, it will be considered late. All late work will be graded, but will
receive reduced credit. Habitual late or missing assignments will result in contact home.
Make-up work:
When students are absent, they have two days, for everyday that they miss, to complete their make up work. For
example, if a student misses two days of school he/she will have four days to complete missed work. If it is not
turned in within this time frame, it is late and will be graded for reduced credit. It is the responsibility of absent
students to talk with me, or a classmate, about what they missed. We do many things in class that are difficult
or even impossible to “rerun.” If possible, when you are absent, check our eboard page or call your “buddy”
that evening to find out what we did in class, so that you will be prepared when you return. I will be available
for you to discuss make-up work during the hours listed above under availability. It is CRUCIAL that you talk
with me, as soon as possible, if you have ANY questions about make up work.
Band, Choir, Seminars, Other Extra Curricular Absences:
If a student is going to miss class due extra curricular activities, he/she MUST report to class before going to the
activity. This will ensure that students have the opportunity to turn in homework and get the next day’s
assignments. Involvement in extra curricular activities DOES NOT excuse students from turning in homework
on the day that it is due or from getting future assignments.
Tests/Quizzes:
Tests will be administered at the end of each unit of study.
Speaking Tests:
There will be a speaking test at the end of each unit of study. These tests will be done with a partner and
preformed either by appointment with the teacher or during class, as part o f a whole class performance. Two of
the speaking assessments will be liked to culture projects. At the end of our French study, we will have a
French café, in which students will make a French food, to be served to the class during speaking presentations.
At the end of our study of Spanish, students will make a Spanish handicraft or food, to be used during an
authentic Spanish market experience.
Academic Integrity:
Be responsible: take pride in your work and always put forth your best effort. You may help other students on
daily work, provided both of you do your share of the work. Do not copy or allow your work to be copied.
All students involved in cheating will receive 0 credit for assignments and work in question. Cheating on tests /
quizzes will result in a 0 without the possibility of retake / makeup, and contact home.
What you can do at Home:
Students are encouraged to share what they are learning in class with others at home: they should be discussing
class activities and assignments with their families and friends; they may create flashcards and review them with
their family members; they can complete drill and practice exercises found at the Internet links listed on eboard;
and, if possible, they should try to teach what they are learning to others at home. Students truly grasp a concept
if they are able to teach it to someone else.
Rules and Expectations:
• Respect each other, myself, our school, and yourself.
• Speak one at a time, raising your hands and waiting for permission to speak. When speaking, use an
appropriate voice and language.
• Follow directions the first time they are given.
• Be honest and take responsibility for yourselves and your actions.
• Pay attention in class.
• Make an honest effort to achieve, to the best of your ability, by coming to class on time every day with
necessary materials for daily tasks, and by participating in all class activities.
• Follow all other Herrick Middle school rules.
Consequences:
1: Verbal warning
2: Communication home to parents (guardians)
3: Before/after school detention
4: Referral to the office
Note: Certain inappropriate behaviors: insubordination, swearing, racial slurs, back talking, etc. warrant
immediate removal from class to the office.