FRENCH I

Teacher:
E-mail:
Help Period: Mon-Thurs. am or after school by appt.
Location: Rm.

A. Course Description:

This is an introductory course which will emphasize the development of listening, speaking, reading and
writing skills. Participants in this course will learn to function in a language other than English. Culture is
an integral part of the language learning process. With this being said, students will be able to understand
the people of another country by learning about their culture.
The target language will be used as much as possible by the teacher, and the students are expected to use
the target language as much as possible as well. As the student progresses, they will recognize the
importance of the correct and appropriate language use.

B. Supplies
a. Textbooks, practice workbooks, notebook/binder, Chromebook and folder.
b. Writing utensils: pencils, pens, highlighters, index cards
c. Items as requested by your teacher

If you come to class without the supplies, you will not be permitted to leave the classroom for them.
Coming to class more than two (2) times without the supplies (see above) will result in a drop in your
class preparation/participation grade.

C. Class Atmosphere
d. RESPECT. Students will act respectfully to one another and to the teacher.
e. Always dress in uniform and wear ID. On dress-down days please refer to the student
handbook. No hoodies allowed in the classroom.
f. Promptness in arriving to class. Students are expected to be in class on time and seated
when the bell rings. Lateness is a distraction to the entire class and should be avoided. If
a student is late, they need a note from a teacher, nurse, counselor, or administration.
g. No gum or food in class. Only water is allowed in the class.
D. The Work
h. Honesty & and integrity. A teacher always knows when a student has not done their
work.
If it’s not your work, then it is plagiarism. To avoid being cited for plagiarism please
refer to the Student Handbook. Also, please be mindful of the following:
i. There is no sharing or copying of homework. All World Language students are
expected to edit their own work, especially writing assignments.
ii. Students will ALWAYS cite any use of printed material or websites.
iii. The best way to learn is by doing the work and overcoming the
difficulties yourself. Tutors, parents, native speakers, relatives MAY NOT do
the work for the student.
i. Class participation. All students are expected to participate in each class. Class
participation will count towards your final grade.
j. Homework. Daily work is part of learning a language. Please follow the guidelines
below:
iv. You are responsible for checking your assignments on Google
Classroom and having them completed by the posted due date.
v. “I didn’t understand the homework” or “I tried but I couldn’t do it” or “It was
too hard” are unacceptable. You must show the teacher that you have made a
reasonable effort at the homework by writing it out, even if you think you got it
wrong. Teacher will often give credit for effort on homework.
vi. Upon arriving in class, please have your homework on top of your
desk for review and possible collection. You will not be allowed to go to the
printer or to your locker to get your work as your homework is due when your
teacher asks for it. Therefore, a workbook/textbook/handout that was reviewed in
class cannot be made up. An assignment that was collected by the teacher is
considered late if it was not turned in when asked by the teacher. Any
homework turned in late will receive a lower grade or a zero depending on
the number of days late and the nature of the assignment.
vii. Absences and Make-Up Work. If a student is absent, it is their
responsibility to see the teacher on the day that they return. Please check Google
Classroom for the assignments. If a student is absent from class on a test or quiz
day, the student is responsible for arranging a time with the teacher to make it up
when they return to school. The student will have one week from their return date
to make up the test or quiz.
viii. Note-Taking. You should be prepared to take notes during the class. If a
teacher writes something on the board, it’s important. Note-taking should take
place in your notebook.
ix. Target Language. Target language should be used as much as possible
in the classroom. Your effort will be noted in your class participation grade.
x.Pop assessments. You will be given pop assessments which will either be
speaking, reading, listening or writing depending on the material that we are
learning in class. Please study and review every night.
xi. Extra Credit. There will be occasions where a few extra credit points
may be available on a quiz or test. No extra credit work/projects will be given to
make up for low grades.
 xii. Contacting your teacher. If you need to see me for extra help, please
see me after class or email me. Emails received after 8pm will be read the
following day.

E. Technology
k. Online Dictionaries. You may use www.wordreference.com or www.linguee.fr to look
up a word, if needed.
l. Online Translators. You MAY NOT use online translators such as Google translate,
etc. for any assignments. Your grade will be affected if an online translator is used.
m. Use of any word processing software such as Microsoft Word. Using auto-correct in
the language you are studying is not allowed. The submitted work must be your own.
Teachers do not expect you to submit perfect work, but for you to submit work that your
reflects your level of study.

F. Electronic Devices and Cell Phones. Cell phones are to be TURNED OFF prior to entering
class and should not be visible. Any cell phone in violation of this policy is in danger of being
confiscated. All other electronic devices such as, I-Pods, PSPS, MP3s, game systems etc. should
be placed away before entering class.

G. Grade Breakdown

Here is how you will determine your grade for each marking period:

Tests- 30% Unit Tests

Quizzes- 20% Vocabulary Quizzes
Pop Quizzes
Projects/Presentations- 20% Long-Term Projects
Oral Presentations
Class Participation- 15% Asking questions, speaking when asked
Homework- 15% Handing in on Time
*Not all homework will be collected*

Each marking period counts as 25% of your grade for the year.
 TEN HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOUR JOURNEY IN FRENCH

1. Make flashcards for your vocabulary and study them every day. One side should be in
English or with a drawing and the other in French. Look at the English/drawing side first and try
to say its equivalent in French. Also, make sure you know how to spell it. As you go through your
flashcards, separate them into three (3) different piles: words you know, words you sort of know
and words you don’t know. This will allow you to focus more on the words you don’t know.

2. Sometimes you will receive homework in your workbook. Before working on the assignment,
make sure you have studied and learned the material that you have homework that night. Once
you have learned, try to do as much of the assignment in the workbook as possible without
relying on the textbook. Once you are done, look at the questions you skipped or had difficulty
with. This will allow you to see what needs to be studied or learned again.

3. Practice as much as you can by yourself or with a classmate. Try using the words in
sentences. When you make them your own, you have a better chance of remembering them.

4. Come to class expecting a pop assessment. Come to class prepared with material. Studying at
home will prepare you and will boost your confidence in class which will allow you to participate
more and get more out of the in-class activities.

5. Participate as much as you can in class. Speaking in class in the target language is one of the
best ways to practice because you get immediate feedback on your answers.

6. Make sure you master the material before moving on. When learning new material, you have
to fully understand the current material before taking on the next step.

7. Don’t procrastinate! Falling behind in class is a bad thing: you can’t participate, you don’t
understand the activities, homework gets difficult, etc. Always stay on task.

8. Never “just get by.” What you don’t know now, will affect you later. You need to understand
the material before moving on. Your goal should always be to over-learn.

9. Come to help period or speak with me if you are having trouble. If while learning the
material, the concepts are unclear, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can set up a
meeting.

10. HAVE FUN! Learning a new language is always fun.

 KEEP THIS COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS

By signing this document students and parents agree that they have read and understood the course
description, the classroom guidelines and the 10 Hints to study French.
Student/Parent Copy (You keep this portion).
I have read and understood the following:

11. Course Description

12. Classroom Guidelines
13. 10 Helpful Hints To Study French

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETURN THIS PORTION TO YOUR TEACHER

By signing this document students and parents agree that they have read and understood the course
description, the classroom guidelines and the 10 Hints to study French. Merci!

Teacher Copy

I have read and understood the following:

14. Course Description

15. Classroom Guidelines
16. 10 Helpful Hints to Study French

Student Name: __________________________________________

Student’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _________________

Parent’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _________________