Course Syllabus

French 1 Syllabus     

2019-2020       

Madame Ann Haddon

Email: ann.haddon@ucps.k12.nc.us

Bonjour les parents et les élèves !   Bienvenue au cours de Français 1 ! I am very pleased that you have chosen to study the French language.  I look forward to sharing my love and knowledge of the language, the francophone world and its cultures  with you. The Francophone world is very important in today’s global world, and I want your student to  understand the value of what he/she learns in French 1 and how to make it meaningful in his/her  community and life.  Learning a foreign language is a challenging experience, but it is also extremely  rewarding.  Students, it will require daily practice (really and truly!) and patience on your part.  The more you practice, the easier and more natural it will become.  It is impressive to your friends!  Parents, I encourage you to support your student and to emphasize the importance of being proficient in a  second language, studying other cultures and becoming a global citizen.

I encourage you to participate in French Club, learning about Francophone culture with your peers.  Everyone is welcome to join, even if they are not currently studying French, but just want to learn more about it's culture and food.   We meet monthly and have super fun activities and delicious food.  It is one of the most active clubs on campus, but still very low commitment.   Win-win!

Listed below are some important facts about this class and about my expectations of you as a student. After reviewing this information with your parents, you should both sign as an  acknowledgement and return the last portion to me (with yours and parent’s signatures) for a homework grade. Please retain the top portion for your records.

lf you have any questions, please let me know.   The MRHS telephone number is 704.290.1520 and my email address is ann.haddon@ucps.k12.nc.us.    I check my email regularly and will make every effort to respond in a timely manner.

Materials/supplies needed for class:
***1.Suggested, but not required: Earphones/headphones with an accompanying microphone for listening and recording activities with the new Chromebooks.   They must have a microphone jack (one jack for both input and output).   I have a classroom set of headphones, but most students prefer to keep their own to use in class as necessary.   We are required to record oral activities several times over the semester, and there are several inexpensive (less than $20) types that provide a great quality of sound.   Headphones or earbuds are acceptable.   Please contact me with any questions as necessary.

2. 
   Textbook (provided), Allez, Viens! Level 1.   Each student will be issued a textbook for the semester;  additionally, I will register the students for access to the online version of the textbook.   Each student will have a unique online access code for homework and additional study outside of class. (Please note that if students elect to leave their textbook in the classroom, they are responsible for it and must pay to replace it if it is damaged or lost.)
3. Workbook (provided, but you will need to write on your own paper).
4. A notebook, with A LOT of loose-leaf paper, to be divided as follows:
   a. Warm-up exercises
   b. Notes (this will be LARGE)
   c. Handouts (this will also be LARGE)
   d. Class work and returned homework
   e. Study guides
   (Notebooks will be checked periodically for neatness, organization and completeness.)
5. 
   Paper and blue or black pens, and #2 pencils. Please make sure to be prepared for class by having loose leaf paper to take notes on. It is something that we do everyday as a matter of routine!

 Note: Donations of Kleenex, old magazines, particularly with great pictures, and colored markers are greatly appreciated. I am sure to put out a call that Kleenex are needed at least once during the semester.   Merci beaucoup !       

Grading Policy:    I work on a points-based grading system. In general, it is based as follows:
l. Tests (written and/or oral) will usually count for 100 points.
2. Quizzes (written and/or oral) will usually account for 30-75 points each, depending on scope and  time/effort expended.
3. Projects (written and/or oral) will vary in points possible depending on the scope and time/effort expended. They are usually valued at 50 - 100 points each.
4. IMPORTANT:  PLEASE READ!    Homework (both oral and written) will make up up to 10 points each.   These are graded for completion and effort.   If the assignment was partially completed, or scribbled without effort or focus, I will give 5 out of 10 points.   If the student does not have the homework or did not do the homework, they will receive a zero.    PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE HOMEWORK , UNLESS IT IS UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE STUDENT.  If the student was  unable to complete the homework assignment because of internet issues or technological reasons, I will ask for the parent or guardian to email me or send a note to advise me of the impediment that prevented your student from doing their homework.   If unable to write an email due to computer being down, the parent must write a note with signature and contact information to have an opportunity to turn homework in late.  It is essential for the student and/or the parent to communicate with me before the homework assignment is due, unless it is impossible to do so (due to internet being down, natural disaster, etc. ).

Make-up work:
1. For assignments missed, please see me before or after class, or call a classmate.   All major
assignments and homework should be posted on the class website.   I have established a Canvas site that you will have access to.   You will also have access to an online version of the textbook that is accessible from most computers, so they do not have to have their chromebooks for access.

2. Make-up tests and quizzes must be completed after school, or during the new SmartLunch schedule, on Tuesdays (during A lunch) or Fridays (during B lunch).   Please check with me to make arrangements.   I do not allow students to make up assessments during class time.
   Important: If your absence was lawful, you have 2 days for each day absent to complete all makeup work, including homework. This is a firm deadline. If circumstances dictate that this is not possible, please  communicate with me about it ahead of time.

 

Tutoring (Des Horaires de Soutien Scolaire):
l. Tuesday afternoons from 3:00-4:00
2.  With the new SmartLunch schedule,  we will have tutoring on Tuesdays for A lunch, and Fridays for B lunch. 
Please let me know ahead of time, even if you are planning to come at regular hours, so I will know to look for you. Also, if you will, give me a specific topic of what you would like  reinforcement with. This will make our time together much more effective and helpful. Thanks in advance for your help with this. I can be reached at my email: ann.haddon@ucps.k12.nc.us .

 

Cheating/ Plagiarism:    In accordance with MRHS'  policy on cheating, there is NO TOLERANCE for anyone copying off of another's paper (even homework) or using illicit methods to cheat during any assessment in my class.  With copying, etc.  both the copier and the copy-ee will be guilty of cheating, if the copy-ee was compliant with the copying.  The consequence for cheating is as follows, per the MRHS policy:  1) an automatic ZERO on the assignment or assessment; 2)  a phone call to parents to notify and discuss the infraction; 3) a written referral will be made and sent to administration; and 4) followup with meeting with administration.   IMPORTANT:  PLEASE READ THIS!:     In the world of language-learning in the digital age, there is a new element of cheating/plagiarism that is rampant, which is using an online translator, such as Google Translate, or similar programs.   Please be advised that, if the student copies and pastes, or even just copies French translations onto their work, then signs it and represents it as their own work, that is technically plagiarism.  This is cheating, short-cutting, and literally illegal.   I believe that, most of the time, particularly with homework or writing assignments, the student does this without being cognizant that this is cheating and plagiarism.   This also applies to getting someone else to write the assignment rather than the student themselves.  

We have a classroom set of English-French dictionnaries for use in class, and I will also show them how to use www.wordreference.com as an online language dictionary.  We will discuss the legitimate use of these resources.  If you have questions about this policy, please let me know.

Thank you again for choosing to study French at Marvin Ridge.  It will be a wonderful semester, and I am very excited to work together to learn a lot of French!  Merci beaucoup!  Allons-y!!

 

 

Cordialement,
Mme Haddon

Important note: Please see the next page! The students have received a hard copy of this document. The next page must be signed BY PARENTS AND BY STUDENTS and returned to me by Monday, January 27th. It is a graded assignment!! Merci pour votre participation.

Please print, sign, and return only the page with the signatures to Madame Haddon by Monday, January 27th. It is a graded assignment!   Merci pour votre participation!

 

 

 

 

====please detach here  and keep the remainder of the syllabus for reference ========

Mme Haddon,  French 1
Parents and students, please sign and return only this page to me. Retain the remainder of this syllabus for future reference.This will be assessed as a homework assignment.

French 1 Syllabus, 2019-2020 
I acknowledge that I have read the syllabus and agree to abide by all procedures of Madame Haddon’s class.  
I understand and agree to abide by Marvin Ridge High School’s plagiarism policy.

 

Please PRINT student name: _______________________________________     

Block #:  _______________

Student Signature: _______________________________________

Date: ___________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________

Date: ___________________