Français I
Monsieur Quick
Contact Information
• Room: 1119
• Email: jrquick@aps.k12.co.us
• Telephone (303) 340-1500, extension
63062
• Bien dit! Website:
http://go.hrw.com/gopages/wl-fr.html
Course Description
• In this course, you will acquire some basic communication
skills in the French language, all presented in a meaningful
cultural context. The focus of the class, in the beginning, is
oral communication (listening comprehension and production)
in the present tense. As communication topics are expanded,
the focus will shift to the four skills of listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. Grammatical structures are presented
formally for reference but are integrated in functional
situations relating to the communication theme of the day. In
this way you will learn not only to understand and speak basic
French, but you will also get a unique insight into the
contemporary culture of the francophone world.
Course Goals
The goals of this French class are:
• To communicate in the French language – the focus will be on
understanding spoken French and on exchanging information in simple
conversations using various tenses. You will also learn to read and express
yourself in writing in addition to further developing your oral skills.
• To gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures – you will be
introduced to the diversity of the French speaking world and learn to
observe and analyze cultural differences in photographs, videos, and other
cultural relia.
• To develop insight into your own language – through grammar study, you
will develop an insight into the structure and patterns that exist in French
and be able to relate them to the comparable structures in English.
French 1 Course Content
• Basic conversational questions and answers
(asking/telling time, dates, likes and dislikes, etc.)
• Definite and indefinite articles
• Singular and plural forms of nouns and adjectives
• Possessive adjectives
• Present tense of most frequently used French verbs
(regular and irregular)
• Past tense
• Francophone Culture, History, Film, Literature, Art,
etc.
1st Semester – French 1
Quarter 1
•
Follow clear, basic directions (1.1)
•
Recognize patterns of sounds in oral language (1.2)
•
Apply pronunciation rules and intonation patterns (2.1)
•
Use gestures, words, phrases, and complete sentences (2.2)
•
Recognize words, phrases, and grammatical structures (3.1)
•
Demonstrate knowledge of sound-symbol relationship in context (3.2)
•
Format written work appropriately (4.1)
•
Spell frequently used words correctly (4.2)
•
Observe and identify everyday cultural practices (5.1)
Quarter 2
•
Recognize words, phrases, and grammatical structures (1.3)
•
Demonstrate comprehension through appropriate responses (1.4)
•
Use basic vocabulary and grammatical forms to convey meaning (2.3)
•
Apply first language reading skills to various texts (3.3)
•
Write simple sentences and phrases using a model with basic conventions (4.3)
•
Use culturally appropriate gestures and expressions (5.2)
2nd Semester – French 1
Quarter 3
• Understand a variety of spoken messages for general meaning (1.5)
• Speak for a variety of purposes with diverse audiences (2.4)
• Identify main ideas, details, and sequence from visually-supported texts (3.4)
• Write paragraphs with more complexity (4.4)
• Use culturally appropriate gestures and expressions (5.2)
Quarter 4
• Identify main idea and details from a variety of sources (1.6)
• Deliver short presentations (2.5)
• Predict meaning of unknown words based on context (3.5)
• Write about personal and group experiences (4.5)
• Demonstrate cultural understanding (5.3)
Textbooks
Bien dit! Holt French 1. Holt, Rinehart & Winston,
2008.
Cahier d’activitiés. (Bien dit!, Holt Rinehart &
Winston, 2008)
Students will be issued a textbook for his or her use. He or she is
responsible for that book until the last day of school and must keep it
FREE FROM MARKS. Students will be fined for missing, destroyed, or
otherwise damaged textbooks. Please see the librarian and/or
bookkeeper for more details.
Grading Policy
This is a standards-based grading class. The following guideline will be used:
Advanced (A/a)
•
The student consistently and independently demonstrates proficient and advanced understanding in course
concepts and skills in a variety of assessments.
•
A
Proficient (P/p)
•
The student independently demonstrates proficiency in course concepts and skills in a variety of assessments.
•
B
Partially Proficient (PP/pp)
•
The student demonstrates proficiency in course concepts and skills with teacher and peer support.
•
C
Unsatisfactory (U/u)
•
The student demonstrates limited understanding and application of course content and skills and is making
progress toward proficiency.
•
D/F
Missing (M/m)
•
The student has shown insufficient evidence to gauge understanding or progress.
•
F
Capital Letters: Summative or major assignments/assessments.
Lower Case: Formative or practice assignments/assessments.
•
(+) and (-) symbols may be used to communicate a range within a proficiency level.
Body of Evidence
There are two types of assessment, formative and summative.
• Formative (assessments for learning) provide direction for improvement
for the student and adjustment of instruction for the teacher e.g.
observation, quizzes, homework, discussion, drafts, etc. These assessments
are identified by lower case letters in the teacher grade book.
• Summative (assessment of learning) provide information to be used in
making judgments about a students achievement at the end of a sequence of
instruction, e.g. final drafts, tests, assignments, projects, performances, etc.
These assessments are identified by capital letters in the teacher grade
book.
Homework
In a foreign language class, it is important to work on a continuous basis. Since
language study is cumulative (like math), you should spend at least 10-20
minutes every day learning the language (homework, review of grammar,
vocabulary, etc.), instead of 5 hours of study right before the test. Thus,
you should prepare your homework (either oral or written) in a timely
manner in order to demonstrate understanding and receive a grade of
advanced or proficient.
– Homework is due at the beginning of class the day after it is assigned
(unless otherwise specified).
– Late work will not be accepted for credit.
– Occasional projects (cultural, family tree, weather report, dialogues,
commercials, body parts, etc.) will be assigned as homework.
– Extra opportunities to demonstrate proficiency may be earned for
speaking and/or writing in French, participating in cultural activities,
and attending specific activities throughout the year.
Participation
•
You cannot learn a language just by listening – you MUST speak as well. This is in essence
what you are studying in French class. Each day, you will be given multiple opportunities to
practice what you are learning and learn while you are practicing. In order to make progress
and to create a true French community in the classroom, it is necessary for you to be present
(remember that absences will affect your grade since you are not in class to practice learned
material and/or learn new material), to participate actively, and to contribute productively to
class discussions and activities.
•
Participation is a large portion of your standards based grade since you have to demonstrate
yourself in a spoken manner. It is not necessary that your answer is perfectly correct, but it
should not be completely wrong either. The purpose is to orally attempt the French language
as much as possible. Please note that you limit yourself in participation when you find
yourself off-task, inattentive, don’t know where we are in an activity, not completed
assignments that prepare you for participation, or shout out answers without being recognized.
Thus, you always need to come prepared to class and not be shy about volunteering as this is
one of the major ways in which you will be evaluated.
Formative Assessments
Formative assessments will be given weekly. They are
short and if you participate in class and keep up with
the simple daily practices and vocabulary, you should
have no trouble scoring very well on the formative
assessments. Thus, it is imperative to practice
vocabulary and review grammar on a daily basis. You
will be expected to complete the formative
assessments, even if you are absent.
Summative Assessments
In order for you to learn a foreign language effectively, you need to be able to
learn the structure and logic that underlies its grammatical system (i.e. the
system of knowledge that enables you to communicate successfully with
other people). That is why the learning and understanding of grammar
holds such great importance in a language class. Students will be assessed
with a variety of means (listening, writing, speaking, and reading) as well
as other details concerning culture, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Exams will
be given at the end of each unit and/or quarter covering material discussed
in class and assigned as class work and/or homework. These exams will be
announced in advance as they may either take one or more class periods to
complete. Therefore, if you are absent the day before an exam, you will be
expected to take the exam with the rest of the class!
Classroom Rules
• I will do my best to abide by the following standards of personal and
communal conduct at all times:
– to follow core values of being a T.B.I.R.D. (student conduct): thinker,
balanced, integrity, respect, and determination.
– to help create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment.
– to come to class on time and prepared for learning by bringing my
required supplies (binder, paper, pen/pencils, homework, brain, good
attitude, etc.). Coming to class unprepared and/or without the necessary
materials will warrant a return to your locker to retrieve the necessary
materials and a tardy pass for classroom reentry.
– refrain from talking during group instruction or quiet time.
– to participate in all class activities and to enjoy learning everyday.
– de parler en français le plus que possible.
Classroom Policies and
Procedures
You cannot learn a language if you don’t hear the
language spoken! This is why class instruction will be
conducted primarily in FRENCH. Not understanding
everything, I say, is part of the process! YOU ARE
NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW! This is what
stimulates you to listen more carefully and deduct the
pertinent information from context. The grammar and
vocabulary are explained to you in English in your
textbook. Reading the textbook on a daily basis is
part of your homework. If you come to class prepared
everyday and pay attention, you will soon understand.
Materials Needed
Bringing your binder, paper, and
pencils/pens, and assigned homework
daily are a requirement! Coming to
class unprepared is not beneficial as
you may miss out on important
information or needed practice
opportunities.
Attendance
• Daily presence in class is essential in any foreign language class. When you
are absent, you miss valuable in class listening and speaking opportunities
that are difficult to make-up. This will more than likely be reflected in your
grade because you may not have acquired the skills needed to meet a
standard for this class. However, if you are not in class, you will need to
volunteer more frequently during the next few classes and complete given
assignments IMMEDIATELY in order to demonstrate proficiency.
• If you are absent, you must be excused by the attendance office. Examples
of legitimate excuses are serious illness, accident, death of a family
member/friend, or any act of nature beyond your control.
Tardy Policy
Students are expected to be in class, in seats, and
ready to begin work when the bell rings. The
school tardy policy will be in effect for this
class. If you are tardy, you will not be admitted
to the classroom without a tardy pass. You will
need to report to the tardy cart and receive a
pass in order to be admitted. Should you need
further clarification about the tardy policy,
please contact the dean of attendance.
Making Up / Missed Work
•
If you have been absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what was covered in class to complete missed
work. Checklists of all assignments for each unit will be distributed at the beginning of each unit. You are
expected to keep up with all assignments. You will be required to complete formative and summative
assessments as they are assigned EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT. You will not be reminded of missed
work; rather, students must take the initiative to inquire about missed assignments and complete the
required work in order to receive credit for missed assignments. Whenever you are aware of an upcoming
absence, it is advisable to ask for assignments in advance.
•
In the event that a student has an absence or tardy on the day of an in-class summative or formative
assessment, the assessment will be administered on WEDNESDAY afternoons ONLY from 3:30-4:00 in
room 1119. Tutoring is also available at that time. The door will be locked at 3:40 and no student will be
admitted for a make-up assessment at that time. If you fail to make up the assessment on a Wednesday
afternoon after school, the student will receive an “F” for that assessment. The last Wednesday for make-up
assessments will be announced in advance and is approximately two weeks before the end of a quarter.
After that time has passed, no more opportunities will be given to make-up missed assessments. If you are
absent from class and need to complete an assessment, please plan your personal schedules, including afterschool sports and activities, accordingly to make up that assessment in a timely manner. If you participate
in various after-school activities, it is up to you to maintain your eligibility. For eligibility questions, please
contact the athletics director.
Hall Passes /
Restroom Visits
Students will be issued hall passes/restroom
passes at the teacher’s discretion. Abuse of
hall passes/restroom passes will result in
students no longer being issued hall
passes/restroom passes. School appointments
of any kind will not be granted during class
time. Please schedule your guidance and other
office visits during your off periods, lunch, or
before/after school.
Food and Gum
Please refrain from bringing food inside the classroom.
Make sure to eat and drink BEFORE you enter the
classroom. However, water in a plastic bottle is
allowed. Absolutely no cafeteria visits will be
tolerated during class time. If you have already
purchased a drink or have leftover food from lunch,
you will be asked to leave them outside the
classroom. Please do not chew gum in class as it will
be difficult to speak and understand a new language.
Honor Statement
•
My personal philosophy is one in which I feel that learning a language is frequently
a cooperative endeavor. On a basic level, this is knowledge that builds bridges and
is meant to be shared. We study the words and ideas of other cultures in order to
engage in a dialogue with them. At times, students should take the conversation out
of the classroom. By sharing their knowledge with others, everyone benefits
regardless as to whether or not an individual is studying the language formally.
•
When students take formative or summative assessments and do written
assignments such as essays and reports, however, I expect them to present their own
ideas on the formative or summative assessments or acknowledge any help they
have received on other assignments from friends, tutors, family, as well as all
written and/or electronic sources.
•
Plagiarism and cheating are intellectual theft. Stealing is a crime. I prosecute for
both to the fullest extent of the law (i.e. school/district policy).
Teacher Availability
• Mr. Hayenga - Tuesday Afternoons tutoring only (3:30-4:00)
• Mr. Quick - Wednesday Afternoons tutoring / make-up assessments (3:304:00)
Questions?
• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me at school or by email. When present at school, I
may take up to 24 hours to respond by email.
• I look forward to working with you this year!!!
• N.B. This syllabus may be changed as needed at the
teacher’s discretion.
Success Criteria Check
Reflection
Write a one page reflection about the following topic …
What does it bean to be a good French I student. Consider
it in the context of being a T.B.I.R.D. Be sure to address
the following …
• Thinkers
• Balanced
• Integrity
• Respect
• Determination