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Course Guidelines
French 1 - French 5
FRENCH 1
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of this course are: 1) to nurture and enhance students’
abilities to speak, read, write and understand basic French - building
upon and reviewing material learned at the middle school level - through
written, spoken, and listening activities using a variety of texts, art,
poems, songs, games and other devices; 2) to deepen student’s
understanding and appreciation of francophone cultures; and 3) to
provide students with the resources and knowledge needed to satisfy New
York state graduation requirements for the successful completion of one
unit of foreign language study by attaining a grade of 65 or higher in
either the French 1 course or on the New York State Proficiency
Examination in French.
SUPPLIES
For this course, students will be issued the Discovering French Bleu
textbook and accompanying activity book. These will be kept in the
classroom. In addition, students will need to bring to class each day:
• One 3-ring binder (1 ½ inch minimum)
• One set of 3-ring binder dividers with 4 tabs, dividing the binder
into four clearly labeled (label the tabs, not the dividers!) sections:
o Grammaire
o Vocabulaire
o Examens (Tests/Quizzes)
o Divers (Miscellaneous)
• Looseleaf paper (spiral bound notebook paper will not be accepted)
• Pens (black or blue ink only) and pencils
GRADING
Quarterly grades will be weighted as follows :
• Tests & quizzes 80%
• Class/homework 20%
100%
CLASSWORK
Students will be assigned classwork every class period, which will take
the place of homework on most days. Assignments are designed to allow
independent and open-book practice of subjects presented previously in
class and provide excellent preparation for tests and quizzes.
Classwork will be written on the class agenda each period, and students
are responsible for checking the agenda and beginning their classwork
assignments immediately at the start of each class period.
All classwork will be checked for both completion and quality, and given
a grade from 0 to 3 accordingly. Classwork missed due to absence must be
made up within one week of a student’s return to school in order to
receive credit.
Classwork is worth 20% of a student’s quarterly average, but failure to
complete classwork assignments will also affect a student’s
participation grade (see below).
TESTS & QUIZZES
A quiz or test will be given approximately each week, allowing students
many opportunities to do well, and so that the quarter average
accurately reflects abilities. Test and quizzes combined are worth 80%
of a students’ quarterly average. Tests count twice as much as quizzes.
A student who fails a test or quiz with a grade of 64 or lower, will
have the opportunity to re-take the same exam within one week (five
school days) of receiving back the original exam. This is a privilege
reserved only for students who have met expectations 1–4 as listed
above. The student must correct the original, failing test/quiz and
schedule an appointment for a re-test prior to the deadline indicated on
the failing test/quiz (within five school days). Re-tests will only be
given during activity period 10 and only with my prior consent. I will
keep the second exam score only.
A cumulative final exam at the end of the year will be worth 20% of the
entire course grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Simply put, class participation is critical. At this level of study,
effort is much more important than speaking perfect French. Class
participation is determined through students’:
• volunteering to respond, read or participate in various class
activities
• speaking French in class
• asking relevant questions
• staying on task
• using class time effectively
• having all class materials each day
Students start each quarter with a 100% participation score, equivalent
to a quiz score. Students will lose one point from their participation
score for each infraction related to the points above. Students will
lose two participation points each time they fail to complete their
classwork satisfactorily, as they will be unable to participate in the
correction and discussion of the classwork assignment, which is an
integral part of the course.
ABSENCES
Students are responsible for making up all work missed due to an
absence, including classwork assignments and the copying of class notes.
Classwork assignments will be due within one week of a student’s return
to school. Additional time may be negotiated, depending on the duration
of the absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up within one week (five
school days) upon the student’s return to school or a zero will be
given.
EXTRA HELP
I am available Tuesday through Friday during activity period 10 for
extra help. If I have a meeting during this period, this will be
announced in class, and marked on the classroom calendar. I am also
available by appointment. Students must not wait until the end of the
marking period to seek extra help or turn in missing classwork and
quizzes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of this course are:
1) to nurture and enhance students’ abilities to speak, read, write and
understand basic French - building upon material learned at the middle
school level - through written and spoken exercises and listening
activities using a variety of texts, art, poems, songs, games and other
devices; 2) to deepen student’s understanding and appreciation of
francophone cultures; and 3) to provide students with a solid foundation
of skills, knowledge, and encouragement needed to continue their study
of French and ultimately succeed on the French Regents Exam after French
3.
SUPPLIES
For this course, students will need to bring to class each day:
• Discovering French Blanc textbook
• Discovering French Blanc activity book
• One 3-ring binder (1 ½ inch minimum)
• One set of 3-ring binder dividers with 4 tabs, dividing the binder
into four clearly labeled (label the tabs, not the dividers!) sections:
o Grammaire
o Vocabulaire
o Examens (Tests/Quizzes)
o Divers (Miscellaneous)
• Looseleaf paper (spiral bound notebook paper will not be accepted)
• Pens (black or blue ink only) and pencils
GRADING
Grades will be calculated every five weeks, and weighted as follows:
• Tests & quizzes 80%
• Homework
20%
100%
TESTS & QUIZZES
A quiz or test will be given approximately each week, allowing students
many opportunities to do well, and so that the quarter average
accurately reflects abilities. Test and quizzes combined are worth 80%
of a students’ quarterly average. Tests count twice as much as quizzes.
I strive to provide my students with every opportunity to do well. I do
not give pop quizzes, and many classroom and homework activities are
specifically designed to help students prepare and succeed on tests and
quizzes. Therefore, students who 1) attend class regularly, 2) pay
attention, 3) actively participate in class and 4) complete all homework
assignments should find themselves well-prepared for exams.
Nevertheless, a student who fails a test or quiz with a grade of 64 or
lower, will have the opportunity to re-take the same exam within one
week (five school days) of receiving back the original exam. This is a
privilege reserved only for students who have met expectations 1–4 as
listed above. The student must correct the original, failing test/quiz
and schedule an appointment for a re-test prior to the deadline
indicated on the failing test/quiz (within five school days). Re-tests
will only be given during activity period 10 and only with my prior
consent. I will keep the second exam score only.
A cumulative final exam at the end of the year will be worth 20% of the
entire course grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is essential. French 2 is an elective and as such,
active participation is a basic expectation. Class participation is
determined through students’:
• volunteering to respond, read or participate in various class
activities
• speaking French in class
• asking relevant questions
• staying on task
• using class time effectively
• having all class materials each day
Students start each quarter with a 100% participation score, equivalent
to a quiz. Students will lose one point from their participation score
for each infraction related to the points above. Students will lose two
participation points for each individual homework assignment that is not
complete, as they will be unable to participate in the correction and
discussion of the homework assignment, which is an integral part of the
course.
HOMEWORK
Students will be given small homework assignments every class period,
but not over vacation weeks. Assignments are designed to allow
independent and open-book practice of subjects presented in class and
provide excellent preparation for tests and quizzes. Homework
assignments are written on the board each period, and students are
responsible for writing down the assignments in their school-issued
agendas.
All homework will be checked at the beginning of class for both
completion and quality and given a grade from 0 to 3 accordingly.
Completed homework is almost always then put on the blackboard, and
corrected as a class. Late homework is not accepted, except in the case
of illness/absence.
ABSENCES
Students are responsible for making up all work missed due to an
absence, including homework assignments and the copying of class notes.
Homework assignments will be due on the second French class after a
student’s return to school. Additional time may be negotiated, depending
on the duration of the absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up within
one week (five school days) of the student’s return to school or a zero
will be given.
EXTRA HELP
I am available Tuesday through Friday during activity period 10 for
extra help. If I have a meeting during this period, this will be
announced in class, and marked on the classroom calendar. I am also
available by appointment. Students must not wait until the end of the
marking period to seek extra help or turn in missing classwork and
quizzes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of this course are: 1) to nurture and enhance students’
abilities to speak, read, write and understand French at the
intermediate level – transitioning from Checkpoint A to Checkpoint B -
through written and spoken exercises and listening activities using a
variety of texts, art, poems, songs, games and other activities; 2) to
prepare students for success on the New York State Regents Examination
in French; 3) to deepen student’s understanding and appreciation of
francophone cultures; and 4) to provide students with the skills,
knowledge, and encouragement needed to continue their study of French in
level 4 and 5, college-credit bearing courses.
SUPPLIES
For this course, students will need to bring to class each day:
• Discovering French Blanc textbook
• Discovering French Blanc activity book
• One 3-ring binder (1 ½ inch minimum)
• One set of 3-ring binder dividers with 4 tabs, dividing the binder
into four clearly labeled (label the tabs, not the dividers!) sections:
o Grammaire
o Vocabulaire
o Examens (Tests/Quizzes)
o Divers (Miscellaneous)
• Looseleaf paper (spiral bound notebook paper will not be accepted)
• Pens (black or blue ink only) and pencils
GRADING
Grades will be calculated every five weeks, and weighted as follows:
• Tests & quizzes 80%
• Homework
20%
100%
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is essential. French 3 is an elective and as such,
active participation is a basic expectation. Class participation is
determined through students’:
• volunteering to respond, read or participate in various class
activities
• speaking French in class
• asking relevant questions
• staying on task
• using class time effectively
• having all class materials each day
Students start each quarter with a 100% participation score, equivalent
to a quiz. Students will lose one point from their participation score
for each infraction related to the points above. Students will lose two
participation points for each individual homework assignment that is not
complete or only partially complete, as they will be unable to
participate in the correction and discussion of the homework assignment,
which is an integral part of the course.
HOMEWORK
Students will be given small homework assignments every class period,
but not over vacation weeks. Assignments are designed to allow
independent and open-book practice of subjects presented in class and
provide excellent preparation for tests and quizzes. Homework
assignments are written on the board each period, and students are
responsible for writing down the assignments in their school-issued
agendas.
All homework will be checked at the beginning of class for both
completion and quality and given a grade from 0 to 3 accordingly.
Completed homework is almost always then put on the blackboard, and
corrected as a class. Late homework is not accepted, except in the case
of illness/absence.
TESTS & QUIZZES
A quiz or test will be given approximately each week, allowing students
many opportunities to do well, and so that the quarter average
accurately reflects abilities. Test and quizzes combined are worth 80%
of a students’ quarterly average. Tests count twice as much as quizzes.
I strive to provide my students with every opportunity to do well. I do
not give pop quizzes, and many classroom and homework activities are
specifically designed to help students prepare and succeed on tests and
quizzes. Therefore, students who 1) attend class regularly, 2) pay
attention, 3) actively participate in class and 4) complete all homework
assignments should find themselves well-prepared for exams.
Nevertheless, a student who fails a test or quiz with a grade of 64 or
lower, will have the opportunity to re-take the same exam within one
week (five school days) of receiving back the original exam. This is a
privilege reserved only for students who have met expectations 1–4 as
listed above. The student must correct the original, failing test/quiz
and schedule an appointment for a re-test prior to the deadline
indicated on the failing test/quiz (within five school days). Re-tests
will only be given during activity period 10 and only with my prior
consent. I will keep the second exam score only.
The Regents Examination will serve as the course final, and will be
worth 20% of the entire course grade for the year.
ABSENCES
Students are responsible for making up all work missed due to an
absence, including homework assignments and the copying of class notes.
Homework assignments will be due on the second French class after a
student’s return to school. Additional time may be negotiated, depending
on the duration of the absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up within
one week (five school days) upon the student’s return to school or a
zero will be given.
EXTRA HELP
I am available Tuesday through Friday during activity period 10 for
extra help. If I have a meeting during this period, this will be
announced in class, and marked on the classroom calendar. I am also
available by appointment. Students must not wait until the end of the
marking period to seek extra help or turn in missing classwork and
quizzes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of this course are: 1) to nurture and enhance students’
abilities to speak, read, write and understand French at the
intermediate level - building upon the basic proficiency acquired in
French 1, 2 and 3 - through written and spoken exercises and listening
activities using a variety of texts, art, poems, songs, games and other
activities; 2) to deepen student’s understanding and appreciation of
francophone cultures; and 3) to provide students with the skills,
knowledge, and encouragement needed to continue their study of French.
SUPPLIES
For this course, students will need to bring to class each day:
• Discovering French Rouge textbook
• Discovering French Rouge activity book
• One 3-ring binder (2 inch minimum)
• One set of 3-ring binder dividers with 5 tabs, dividing the binder
into five clearly labeled sections:
Grammar
Vocabulary Culture/Projects
Tests & Quizzes Homework
• One sturdy pocket folder clearly labeled with student’s name
• Looseleaf paper (spiral bound notebook paper will not be accepted)
• Pens (blue and black ink only) and pencils
• A quality French-English dictionary is strongly recommended
GRADING
Quarterly grades will be weighted as follows:
• Tests & quizzes 65%
• Homework
15%
• Journal
20%
100%
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is critical, and is a basic expectation at this
advanced level of study. Class participation is worth one test score
each quarter and is determined through students’:
• volunteering to respond, read or participate in various class
activities
• speaking French in class
• asking relevant questions
• staying on task
• using class time effectively
• having all class materials each day
Students start each quarter with a 100% participation score, equivalent
to a quiz score. Students will lose one point from their participation
score for each infraction related to the points above. Students will
lose three participation points each time their homework is not complete
or only partially complete, as they will be unable to participate in the
correction and discussion of the homework assignment, which is an
integral part of the course.
TESTS & QUIZZES
Tests and quizzes combined are worth 65% of a students’ quarterly
average. Tests count twice as much as quizzes. I strive to provide my
students with every opportunity to do well. I do not give pop quizzes,
and many classroom and homework activities are specifically designed to
help students prepare and succeed on tests and quizzes. Therefore,
students who 1) attend class regularly, 2) actively participate in
class, 3) maintain their journals and 4) complete all homework
assignments should find themselves well-prepared for exams.
HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned every class period and worth 15% of a student’s
quarterly average. Assignments are designed to allow independent
practice of subjects presented in class and provide excellent
preparation for tests and quizzes. Homework will be written on the class
agenda and students are responsible for checking the agenda and writing
down assignments in their assignments notepads.
All homework will be checked at the beginning of class for both
completion and quality and either collected or reviewed in class.
Students who complete all homework assignments will receive a 100%
homework score. This grade will diminish depending upon the number of
assignments missing or poorly done. Late homework is not accepted,
except in the case of illness/absence.
JOURNAL
Students will maintain a journal with weekly entries written entirely in
French. The journal is worth 20% of a student’s quarterly average. Each
entry is to be at least 50 words in length. Journals will be collected
regularly at UNANNOUNCED intervals – likely weekly or bi-weekly – and
checked for completion, effort and continuous improvement of written
expression. Some journal entries will have a directed theme reflective
of AP essay topics.
ABSENCES
Students are responsible for making up all work missed due to an
absence, including homework assignments and the copying of class notes.
Homework assignments will be due on the second French class after a
student’s return to school. Additional time may be negotiated, depending
on the duration of the absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up within
one week (five school days) upon the student’s return to school or a
zero will be given.
UNIVERSITY CREDIT
French 4 is a University in the High School course. Students who enroll
in the optional University in the High School program will receive three
college-level credits through Schenectady County Community College which
are transferable to most colleges and universities. The current cost of
enrollment is $36 per credit for this three-credit course. Students will
receive an official transcript from SCCC upon successful completion of
the course. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue this option, as
it offers a terrific savings over the $200+ per credit tuition currently
charged to SCCC students.
EXTRA HELP
I am available every day during activity period 10 for extra help. If I
have a meeting during this period, this will be announced in class. I am
also available by appointment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of this course are: 1) to enhance and refine students’
abilities to speak, read, write and understand French through written
and spoken exercises and listening activities using a variety of
resources including short stories, art, poems, songs, films, student
projects, presentations, journaling and other devices; 2) to deepen
students’ understanding and appreciation of francophone cultures; and 3)
to provide students with the resources and knowledge to succeed on the
(optional) Advanced Placement (AP) Examination in French.
SUPPLIES
For this course, students will need to bring to class each day:
• Discovering French Rouge textbook
• Discovering French Rouge activity book
• One 3-ring binder (1 ½ inch minimum)
• One set of 3-ring binder dividers with 4 tabs, dividing the binder
into four clearly labeled (label the tabs, not the dividers!) sections:
o Grammaire
o Vocabulaire
o Examens (Tests/Quizzes)
o Divers (Miscellaneous)
• Looseleaf paper (spiral bound notebook paper will not be accepted)
• Pens (black or blue ink only) and pencils
• One sturdy pocket folder clearly labeled with student’s name
• A quality collegiate French-English dictionary is strongly recommended
GRADING
Grades will be calculated every five weeks, and weighted as follows:
• Tests & quizzes
70%
• Class participation 10%
• Homework
20%
100%
TESTS & QUIZZES
Tests and quizzes combined are worth 70% of a students’ quarterly
average. Tests count twice as much as quizzes. I strive to provide my
students with every opportunity to do well. I do not give pop quizzes,
and many classroom and homework activities are specifically designed to
help students prepare and succeed on tests and quizzes. Therefore,
students who 1) attend class regularly, 2) actively participate in
class, 3) maintain their journals and 4) complete all homework
assignments should find themselves well-prepared for exams.
A cumulative final exam at the end of the year will be worth 20% of the
entire course grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is essential. French 5 is an elective and as such,
active participation is a basic expectation. Class participation is
worth 10% each quarter and is determined through students’:
• volunteering to respond, read or participate in various class
activities
• speaking French in class
• asking relevant questions
• staying on task
• using class time effectively
• having all class materials each day
Students start each quarter with a 100% participation score. Students
will lose one point from their participation score for each infraction
related to the points above. Students will lose three participation
points for each individual homework assignment that is not complete or
only partially complete, as they will be unable to participate in the
correction and discussion of the homework assignment, which is an
integral part of the course.
HOMEWORK
Students will be assigned homework every class period. Assignments are
designed to allow independent and open-book practice of subjects
presented in class and provide excellent preparation for tests and
quizzes. Homework will be written on the class agenda each period, and
students are responsible for writing down homework assignments in their
assignments notepads.
All homework will be checked at the beginning of class for both
completion and quality and either collected or reviewed in class.
Students who complete all homework assignments with appropriate effort
will receive a 100% homework score, worth 20% of the quarterly grade.
This grade will diminish depending upon the number of assignments
missing or poorly done. Late homework is not accepted, except in the
case of illness/absence.
JOURNAL
Students will maintain a journal with bi-monthly entries written
entirely in French. Each journal entry will be graded as a test and must
be at least 70 words in length. Some journal entries will have a
directed theme, but most may document students’ current plans,
activities and reflections.
ABSENCES
Students are responsible for making up all work missed due to an
absence, including homework assignments and the copying of class notes.
Homework assignments will be due on the second French class after a
student’s return to school. Additional time may be negotiated, depending
on the duration of the absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up within
one week (five school days) upon the student’s return to school or a
zero will be given.
UNIVERSITY CREDIT
French 5 is a University in the High School course. Students who enroll
in the optional University in the High School program will receive three
college-level credits through Schenectady County Community College which
are transferable to most colleges and universities. The current cost of
enrollment is $36 per credit for this three-credit course. Students will
receive an official transcript from SCCC upon successful completion of
the course. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue this option, as
it offers a terrific savings over the $200+ per credit tuition currently
charged to SCCC students.
EXTRA HELP
I am available Tuesday - Friday during activity period 10 for extra
help. If I have a meeting during this period, this will be announced in
class. I am also available by appointment.