Course Syllabus

Bienvenue au Français 8!

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to French 8! This year you will further your knowledge of beginning French, with a focus on developing communicative skills and learning about the culture of French-speaking countries. Please read through the policies for this class, so that you know what is expected of you this year, and to ensure that French 8 is rewarding and enjoyable for all of us.

1. Classroom policies
1. Be prepared and on time. Be in your seat, working on the opening activity when the bell rings. Use the time before the bell to go to the bathroom and collect any materials you need. Being prepared means having all necessary materials and being ready to listen and speak in FRENCH!.
2. Participate fully. Learning a language is NOT a spectator sport: you need to use the language to learn it. Participation in classroom activities, both oral and written, directly affects your success.
3. Listen attentively. Listen politely to whoever is speaking. Listen carefully to directions, the FIRST time. Listen to your classmates’ contributions.
4. Minimize distractions. If you need to use the bathroom, to sharpen your pencil or have some other need, choose the time appropriately to ask. Do not ask during direct instruction. Take care of needs at the beginning of class.
5. Be respectful and cooperative. Respect other’s views. Do not touch other students or their belongings. Work with your classmates and me, and class will run smoothly.
6. No food, drink (except water) or phones during class (unless specified by me). School language department policy is that you place your phone in the appropriate secured location at the beginning of class.

There will be progressive consequences if you choose to not follow the policies. These start at a warning and may progress to detention, removal from the classroom and conference with Mr Caudill and/or your parents.

2. Grading.
Each grading period your grade will be made up of the following:
• Classwork and participation in activities
• Quizzes and unit assessments
• Homework
• “Les Points”

a. Participation/Class work : Class activities will be graded on effort, participation and achievement. To be successful, you need to speak French and complete class activities in your notebook. You will also be able to earn “les tickets” for various class activities from time to time, for winning games, for exceptional efforts in classwork and homework and for good citizenship. Les tickets will go towards a prize-winning raffle each quarter.

b. Quizzes and assessments : Graded and ungraded formative quizzes will be given regularly and there will be a summative assessment task at the end of each unit. Quizzes will test vocabulary, grammar etc as we are learning it. The end of unit assessments will assess how students can use the French language competently in authentic situations, and will be oral and/or written. Regular in-class formative assessments will allow students to assess what they know and what they need to study, before the summative tasks.

**Students will be able to rework quizzes, tests and major assignments to demonstrate mastery, provided they obtain extra help first.**

c. Homework : Daily practice is what will help you master French. You are expected to spend 10-15 minutes daily on homework, vocabulary practice, review etc. Resources and suggestions will be given for this. You will turn in graded homework assignments every MONDAY. You will be given a choice board of assignments to choose from the previous week or at the beginning of the unit. Late work will not receive full credit, so you need to plan ahead. All assignments and due dates will be posted in class and on Canvas.

d. “Les points “ : Students need to earn “les points” each quarter, for speaking to me in French outside of classroom activities – for example at the beginning or end of class or at other times during the day. The number of points will increase throughout the year, and there will be “bonus” ways to earn les points from time to time.

5. Materials
Textbook : French is Fun, Book 1. You will be using the book you used last year. You can keep these in class and take them home when needed. Replacement cost is $20.
Notebook : All your classwork is to be done in a sturdy spiral-bound notebook. We will spend time setting this up at the beginning of the year, so it becomes a resource and reference for you. Keep it in the French section of your binder, along with any handouts, and bring it to class every day. Spot-checks will be done to see that your notebook is complete.

Other materials : You will also need a pen/pencil,

6. Questions/Problems
If you have questions about the work we are covering, please ask questions right away, in and after class, or e-mail me. I will be available in my room during study hall and after school.