FRANCAIS I
Course Expectations

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frenchf546@aol.com
pkussman@ndsj.org


 
Texts
Course Description
Typical Day
Behavior & Expectations
HELP!!!

Homework & Projects

Grading

Absences

Extra Credit

Late work

 Plagiarism
        
Texts:
French Level I uses the  Bon Voyage   - Glencoe Text and Workbook
Supplies:  Text, workbook, listening workbook, a 1" binder or folderto be used for French only and  1 fine point dry erase marker, any color other than yellow..
Course Description/Outcomes:
 French I is a beginning class in French. Students will learn useful, everyday vocabulary for things such as home, family, friends,  food, clothing, transportation, etc.  Students will learn basic French grammar - conjugating verbs in the present and past tense, use of infinitives, pronouns, agreement of adjectives and adverbs, contractions, etc.  In addition, students will learn  about life in France and about places other than France where French is spoken.

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to understand and  respond to prompts, converse, and write with ease  in French on a variety of theme based topics - as stated in the French I Course Outcomes. In addition, this course addresses all of the  Graduation Outcomes.
 
Typical Day:
A normal day in French class will start right away with either an oral. question to be answered, a quick written response on the white boards or in journals, or correction of the previous night's homework.  After checking  workbook howework, we ofte n use the audio workbook to do some listening exercises. We will work orally with the whole class, in teams, and in pairs asking and answering questions using new vocabulary and grammar.  I will usually present  new material early in the class so that we will have time to work with it for maximum comprehension. 

Block Thursdays and Fridays will usually be used for  group activities, games such as Jeopardy, stations (where you will rotate to several different activities) and impromptu oral presentations.
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Behavior:
Mutual respect for all - you listen while we're talking; we will listen while you are talking
No food 
No gum chewing
Be a good team player: Help when help is needed, but do not rush to give your teammates answers.  Let them try to figure things out for themselves. Do not be critical of your teammates.
Hands on desk.

Teacher Expectations:

  • That you will study and digest the material covered in class  - daily!!
  • That you will  be actively engaged in the learning process at all times
Classroom Expectations:
  • Please be in your seat when the bell rings
  • Please note the directions on the board under "As you come in...", as this will be the activity you are expected to be doing or completing when the bell rings.
  • Please bring textbook and workbook to class everyday
  • Put backpacks under desk to leave aisles clear and free for movement
  • Do not re-arrange the furniture when you come in, unless told to do so
  • Please be observant of the "quiet signal" - my hand up. We will be doing a lot of group work and we might get noisy; your attentiveness to my signal keeps me from having to yell when I want the group to gather back together.
  • Please be respectful of all

    • Class ends when I say "Au revoir, bonne journée", not when the bell rings
HELP!!!!
If you are struggling, here are several suggestions:
1. Tape record the class.
2. Have me record the classroom tapes for you.  This will help with your pronunciation and listening skills - just bring me a blank cassette tape.
3.  Buy some French music - Listen to some of the artists that I will be playing in class.  If you like them, ;you can usually order them through Amazon or Borders.
4. Watch you favorite DVD's in French with English subtitles
 5. Sign up for tutoring with a CSF member - call the Counseling Dept.
6. Try some tutorials: 6.  Come see me - Manley, Rm 215 - I'm usually here at 7:00 A.M.. Due to my position as Mentor Teacher, I only teach 2 classes and am availableto help you 1st,  2nd , 5th, 6th  and 7th.  I'll be happy to stay after school, you just need to let me know in advance. 
7.  Call me  -  408/294-1113  ex 2140
8.  E-MAIL me      or     klipps@ndsj.org

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Homework & Projects:
You will have homework every night, unless you took a test in class that day.  Most of the time your homework will be in the workbook.  It probably should not take you more than 15 minutes.  Homework is always based on what was taught in class that day.  Ideally, if you were paying attention and actively participating in class, you should be able to do the assignment with your text book closed. If you can't, you should study the text before trying your homework.  In this way, your nightly assignments can be used as a daily quiz - to see if you really learned the material.

I do not collect workbooks, but I do note in my grade book when it is clear that you have not done the assignment.

Other assignments will consist of a variety of handouts and written exercises.  In addition,  you will write at least one composition per chapter - usually the autobiography section  in the workbook on the last page for each chapter.   The length of these compositions will grow as you progress through the year.
I would like to ask that you save all compositions and critical handouts in your French folder or binder.

Homework for the week is posted every Monday morning on the white board, so there is no excuse for not having it. 

 There will be 3- 5 small projects for French I. Due dates will be posted in a timely manner.

  • French geography- first block day - a group presentation
  • Family - an individual project - written and oral
  • Menu - an individual written project
  • Travel project - train and plane
  • Project for April - clothes & weather- an individual written and paired oral activity
  • Stalking about Paris - final  individual written project
Grading:
The first quarter of French I is a little unusual. We do a lot of speaking and listening, not too much writing. We use stuffed animals and other props; we do not use the text.  Therefore it is essential that you be actively involved and attentive these first few weeks. Your grade in the first quarter will be 50% oral   50% written.
Once we get into the text book, you will be having regular quizzes and tests, written homework, etc.  Grades are computed in the following way:
30% Tests    30% quizzes and HW     30% Oral quality    10% effort/participation

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Absences:
If you miss one or two days of school, you are expected to learn the material you missed and make up the work in a timely manner - usually 2 or 3 days.  Make arrangements with me if that is not possible for you. 

If you miss class due to a school sponsored activity, you are still responsible for what was learned in class and what was assigned.

If you miss school for more than a few days, you will need to come see me so that I can teach you the material and so that we can work out an acceptable time table for you to complete your assignments and take your tests.

Please check the moodle website to stau updated with all your classes.
Extra Credit:
There is, essentially, no extra credit in this class.  If you need to bring up your grade, let's talk about re-taking a test or quiz.  Our goal is to learn the material, not to do a report on Marie Antoinette.

*****A student who does poorly on a test may be given an opportunity to take a different version of the test. The choice to offer a re-test will be based on day to day performance and effort as well as a determination of how poor the performance was in comparison to previous ones.  These re-tests will be offered within 3-5 days of the original test. You may take them before or after school or during a free block.  The tests will be in the library.  It is a one time chance to better your grade.  YOU MUST ASK  ME FOR A RE-TEST!!!   I will not automatically assume that anyone wants one

If you attend a French play, movie, concert, exhibit, I will be happy to accept a report and some documentation of your attendance for extra points.  There are also some cultural exercises to be done on the web with a worksheet provided by me..
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Late Work
No projects will be accepted late. All projects will have a "due date" and a "late by" date, thus eliminating the problem of waking up sick the day the project is due. .
Late homework loses 10% per day. ( Most assignments are 20 points; they will  lose 2 points per day).
Plagiarism


Plagiarism in a Modern Language class is:

•    Using an online dictionary or translation device for translation purposes
•    Stringing together more than 2 words that are not your own – You may use an online dictionary to look up “lace”.  You may not use it to look up “ a pretty lace collar”
•    Paraphrasing or copying text without citing sources – If you are asked a question about a reading selection and answer using the same phrases that are in the text in your answer – unless you use quotation marks and indicate the source (text) , you are guilty of plagiarism
•    Having another student or a parent do your work for you- if you use someone as a dictionary, have them sign the paper indicating what type of help they gave.


Plagiarism is cheating.  If we suspect that you have used a translation device, we will ask you to explain the words, genders, usage, verb tenses, etc.  If you cannot and it is determined that you have disregarded the above rules, you will receive a 0 (not an F).  The Dean will be notified and a letter will be sent home.  A second offense is cause for expulsion.

This is a serious matter and we are taking serious steps to make sure that the work we grade is original.

 

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    4th Quarter Project
FRENCH III
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VOYAGES
ABOUT THE 
   AUTHOR
E-MAIL Me
at
frenchf546@aol.com
pkussman@ndsj.org