COURSES
GRADE 7 LANGUAGE CLASSES
Classes offered are exploratory in nature. The classes last 20 weeks. The students will be given packets based on thematic units and they will also take notes. Short homework assignments will be given weekly. Many units will have a quiz, but some require a project instead. Culture will be discussed and the class will view and interpret French news. Speaking practice and oral repetition will be daily activities in class. There is a final exam given at the end of the course which will not require spelling.
LEVEL 1 COURSES
A final exam that adheres to State guidelines will be given in June. It will be given over the course of two class days. The first day will consist of 25 listening comprehension paragraphs with multiple choice answers. The second day will consist of 25 reading comprehension passages with multiple choice questions. A full review will be offered before the exam. An oral test will be administered in late May along with a spontaneous composition to meet State guidelines. This assessment will count as a test grade in the last 10 week marking period.
During the course of the year, categories of assignments include: skits, homework, compositions, quizzes, and oral projects.
Level 1 serves as an introduction to the language and cultural differences. The following topics are covered: definite and indefinite articles, adjective groups, regular and irregular present tense verbs, modified future and past tenses, gender and number concepts, and basic adverbs.
Culture is based on the textbook, current television programs in the target language, videos, and sections of movies. When possible, certain computer programs are used.
Vocabulary: numbers, colors, school, restaurant/food, house, physical characteristics, town, directions, location, daily expressions, time, family, sports, etc.
FRENCH LEVEL 2
13 verb tenses of regular and irregular verbs are covered, practiced, and reviewed. Vocabulary is stressed and tested.
Stories read now include plot. Compositions and skits are of a more sophisticated nature. Expectations are higher than at level 1. Oral communication in the target language is requested more often.
Current events are still covered in French, but with more complete comprehension.
A four day final exam will be given in June. Each day will consist of specific parts given to the student in advance, including a bonus page on the last day. This will count as 90/100 points. Before the written exam, students will be given an oral topic and will address the class on this topic for a possible 10 points. The final exam counts as 20% of the overall grade.
FRENCH LEVEL 3
This course is based primarily on vocabulary with reading used to increase the vocabulary level. Grammar concepts are constantly reviewed. Students take a full Regents equivalent exam at the beginning of the year and in January. These tests are used to show students how they are progressing in the target language. These grades do not count in their average. Most students pass this exam at the beginning of the year, but need practice in communication to raise this grade.
Regents exams are no longer offered in foreign languages. An equivalent will be given during five class days in June. This exam will count twice in the 40 week average and these grade cannot be dropped. An oral test will be administered in late May and count in this grade. A full review will take place before the exam.
Vocabulary lists and quizzes are essential. Oral discussions are initiated with pre-set topics. More of the target language is used. Writing expectations are higher.
FRENCH LEVEL 4
Students are encouraged to be creative in speech and writing. Grades are given based on the students’ effort and improvement in basic language skills. These grades are noted each five weeks only (unlike the first 3 levels). A sampling of literature is stressed. The class also writes on contemporary topics, keeping a folder of all writing pieces. Usage of the target language is increased at this level. Current events and weekly French news are analyzed.
This group of students is in charge of International Foreign Language Week activities. The group performs a skit during that week on the Thursday night of Foreign Language Week in the cafeteria.
Students are encouraged to elaborate and be creative. Grammar is reviewed in the readings, writings, and printed current events.
GRADING
In each class, all work is based on 100 points with possible bonus credit on certain assessments. All grades weigh equally with at least 1 low grade dropped each quarter. At the 10 weeks, the average will not exceed 100 points.
Compositions are based on a rough draft grade to start. This first grade is based on length required, following the topic, no English usage, every other line written, no computer-based translations, and types of grammatical and spelling errors. The grade is raised with proper corrections and then registered on School Tools. Students in levels 1-3 are allowed class time to get started and work with me on corrections. Time outside the class is needed to polish the writing piece.
Oral reports are graded by rubrics. Students will be notified of the rubrics when the oral is assigned. All projects are performed live. Students will lose credit if they interrupt reports during the presentation.
All courses use a variety of texts, workbooks, handouts, readers, examination booklets, You Tube videos, current French news, and computer based items.
All four areas of communication are covered at all levels (oral, aural, reading, writing).
HOMEWORK
Late homework is only accepted due to absence or special circumstances. Due to the nature of the homework, it is handed back graded the next day for reinforcement of concepts. I will accept homework torn from notebooks as some students need to do this in order to locate the assignment. I only require a full name on each paper as a heading. I try my utmost not to give lengthy assignments over the weekend and vacations. All homework is graded. and based on 100 points. The lowest grade for submitted homework is a 60 and may be corrected for a maximum grade of 80. Homework is is weighed equally with quizzes and other categories EXCEPT the final exam.
SUPPLIES
All courses require notebooks and writing implements. The size of such notebooks depends on the course and whether students use that same notebook paper to submit homework. The average student will need no more than a standard 3 subject notebook. If the student prefers loose leaf paper and a binder, this is also acceptable as long as the student organizes the paper. Pens are only required on full tests and state assessments. If I cannot read an individual’s writing in pencil, I will then request that the student write in pen. No red pens or pens requiring special light will be accepted.
At the fourth level, a good French/English dictionary is suggested.