Course Syllabus

Bienvenue au cours de Français 4 ∙ Madame Jones

 

Bonjour les parents et les élèves,

 

                Bienvenue au cours de Français 4!  I am excited to be at Marvin Ridge High School, am eager to teach your student, and I look forward to a successful semester.  The French language is important in today’s global world, and I want your student to understand the value of what he/she learns during French 4 and how to make it meaningful in his/her community and life. 

                This advanced-level class will enable students to appreciate the diversity of the Francophone world and to further their communication skills.  By meeting each day, students will have the opportunity to enhance their language learning experience and develop their proficiency.  French 4 encompasses the essentials previously learned in Levels 1-3 and uses them at a higher, more advanced level.  Class will be conducted solely in French and students are expected to use the target language at all times to communicate with me and with their classmates.   While speaking, writing and listening skills will be strengthened, a greater emphasis will also be placed upon grammar and Francophone literature and current events.

                Learning a foreign language is a challenging experience, but it is also extremely rewarding.    Students, I look forward to watching you grow in your proficiency and ability to communicate.  I anticipate seeing you participate in French Club, using the language with your peers and setting an example for the students in the lower levels of French.  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.  

 

Contact Information

Email: dawn.jones@ucps.k12.nc.us                                                                                  Téléphone : 704.290.1520          

My preferred method of correspondence is by e-mail, and I will try to return all e-mails and phone calls within 24-48 hours, if possible.

 

Classroom Procedures

• Be seated and prepared with necessary materials (textbook, paper, pen/pencil, etc.) to begin when the bell rings.
• Copy the objectives in your notes and complete the posted warm-up quickly and independently.
• Be attentive and participate during class.
• Be respectful of classmates, teacher and school property.
• Speak French the entire period and apply what you have learned.
• Only ask to go to the restroom when necessary to maximize classroom time and learning.

 

Consequences

Failure to follow directions and/or procedures may result in a lunch or after-school detention and/or administrative referral. 

 

Supplies and Materials

Students will receive a textbook, Allez, Viens! Level 3.  In addition to their Chromebook, students need a 3 ring binder with a pocket in which they will organize and keep their notes, worksheets and supplementary handouts.   Students will also need Expo markers to use on an individual dry erase board in class.  They are encouraged to purchase their own dictionary and may bring it to class.  (The Pocket Oxford-Hachette Dictionary is an excellent choice for students.)  When creating vocabulary lists, students may want to use note cards and keep them on a key ring.  This method is effective for reviewing, and parents can easily quiz their student.  Lastly, donations of boxes of tissues and rolls of paper towels would be greatly appreciated.  Merci!

 

Announcements

Homework is written on the board and students are expected to copy it down at the beginning of the period.  Quizzes and tests are posted 2 to 4 days in advance on the board and on the Canvas calendar.

 

Grading Procedures

Students are assessed in a variety of ways, such as, tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects and performance in class.  A point system will be used for all grading and the following points are approximate:  Homework assignments: 10 points (sometimes 20 for longer ones); Quizzes: 40 - 50 points; Tests/Projects 90 - 100 points; Class performance/speaking: 50 - 100 points.

 

Homework

Homework is an extension of what we have completed in class and will be assigned most days.  While learning a foreign language, it is very important to practice the language as often as possible.  Homework is to be completed upon entry to class and will be accepted late only with an excused absence note.  Sometimes homework is graded for accuracy, but mostly it is graded for completeness. 

• Assignment is entirely done and legible – 10 pts.
• Assignment is half-finished and shows some effort – 5 pts.
• Assignment is not complete, illegible and/or not finished on-time - 0

                                                                          

Students are responsible for any missed class work and notes during their absence.  They will have five days to complete the missing assignments and to take a quiz/test or the missing work/quiz/test will be scored as a 0. 

 

Students are expected to produce their own original work.  An on-line translation agency (or similar service) may be used for translating a single word, not for translating sentences or extensive phrases.  An appropriate website for an on-line dictionary is www.wordreference.com.  Work is to be done at an appropriate French 4 level.  If student work is not original, it will automatically be graded as a 0.

 

Tutoring/Assistance

Tutoring is offered on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 – 3:40 pm by appointment.  In order for me to effectively meet their needs, students are expected to sign up for tutoring and to specify their questions and/or material that they would like to review.  Additionally students may sign up to make up a test/quiz/in-class assignment that they missed due to an excused absence.  There is a wealth of helpful information of the Internet that can assist students who have questions or who want to further their learning.  There are excellent instructional videos on YouTube, interesting lessons on TV5 and BBC on-line, and grammar and vocabulary review on www.quia.com and www.quizlet.com

 

 

Thank you for partnering with me to ensure the success of your student!

 

                                                                                                                                                Cordialement,

                                                                                                                                                Madame Dawn Jones

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Please sign below stating that you have read the above letter.  Students will keep this copy in their notebook.

 

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                Student name (print)                                                                                     Student signature

 

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                Parent name (print)                                                                                       Parent signature