Pre-AP French III Syllabus
2017-2018
Instructor: / Julie Powers / School Phone: / (254) 761-5650 ext. 2100Room: / 100 / Conference: / 3rdperiod (9:50-10:35 )
e-mail: / / Tutoring: / Mon., Tues., Thurs. - 3:40-4:30 pm
and upon request
Bonjour et bienvenue à la classe de français 3!
Welcome to Pre-AP French III. You are here because you successfully completed French I & II – congratulations! You now have a good basis in the French language and we will be putting it all together! Pre-AP French III emphasizes the use of French for communication. The course includes a review of basic concepts and continues with advanced grammar and usage. Emphasis is placed on the development of advanced proficiency in the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), grammar, and the acquisition of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Directed compositions, a study of francophone culture, and an introduction to French literature are included. This course is intended for qualified students who seek to prepare for the Advanced Placement French Language and Culture Exam in Level IV.
We will speak French a lot (the class will mainly be conducted in French since you already have a good understanding of the language). As you already know, to master a foreign language requires a lot of work. Most weeks we will have homework every day but Friday, and you will also be expected to review your new vocabulary and grammar dailyfor at least 10-15 minutes. You will be required to find and listento a news clip in French each week and write/deliver a short report to the class about it. Occasionally, we will have projects which will require some more extensive research.
Classroom Expectations
Be promptClass begins when the bell rings! Be in your seat!
Be prepared Have all required materials, iPad (fully charged each night) with earbuds, resource
handouts, paper, and pen.
Be readyKnow the current topic being studied. Check the VHL Central calendar daily and begin the warm up when class begins. Students are expected to review material outside of class (VHL Central tutorials and notes)!
Be positiveSupport the learning environment as well as the instructional plan with a positive attitude and positive behavior. It’s all about attitude!
Be productiveUse class time for French only. Pay attention and participate. Your focus should be on the instructional plan and the activities outlined for the day. Constant interruptions are not productive.
Be politeRespect the classroom, other students and their property, the teacher, and the instructional plan.
Classroom Procedures
The Bells
The bells remind us when class begins and ends. Please take care of personal business and personal grooming outside of class. I always stand at the door and greet students as they enter class. This is an excellent time for students to communicate problems, issues, and or concerns that might otherwise interrupt the instructional process.
Attendance
Attendance is taken daily at the beginning of class using a seating chart. Student’s seats willperiodically
change as their instructional needs change. Absences and tardies will follow the policies in the Midway ISD
handbook.
Phones/Electronic Devices
My class is a phone-free zone. Students should turn off and put away all devices (including Smart Watchesor any other non-school-issued devices) before cominginto the room and leave them in their backpacks. If a student’s device is on/out/being used it will be confiscated and handed in to the office. Parents will have to come to school and pay $15 to get it back...
Food/Drink
Food and drink are not allowed in the classroom (unless otherwise stated for special occasions).
Water/Restroom
Students will not be given permission to leave class to get water and go to the restroom. When emergencies
and extenuating circumstances arise, these requests will be handled on an individual basis. However, I do
stillreserve the right to refuse water and restroom requests when a student abuses the privilege, like not
returning in a reasonable amount of time or going to another destination. I will contact parents when this
situation arises.
Participation
Participation is very important in my class. When you participate I can assess areas of strengths and
weakness and adjust my instructional approach. Verbal participation is a must and usually occupies 50% of
the instructional plan. Verbal Participation can be confusing when students continually interrupt the teacher
and the other students in class. Therefore students must raise their hand before speaking out. Be respectful!
Students need to engage and participate as much as possible. Inappropriate participation will not be
tolerated and I will contact parents and/or your administrator.
Discipline
Students must follow the MISD behavioral guidelines and consequences outlined in the student
handbook as well as my classroom expectations and procedures. In the event a student chooses
not to follow these rules, procedures, and or expectations the following steps will be implemented
and documented.
Step 1Verbal reminder
Step 2Teacher/Student Conference/Parent notifications
Step 3Student Detention/Parent notifications
Step 4Office referral/Parent contact
Office referrals will continue from this point.
Serious OffencesSkip steps 1-3 Office Referral
Serious offences include, but are not limited to, profanity (written/verbal), obscene gestures (written/physical), bullying (written/verbal), pushing, shoving, fighting (verbal or physical), intentionally disrupting instruction and or student learning, and any other behaviors labeled as serious by MISD.
Grading Procedure
Both written and verbal assignments are given every day. The following includes how your grade will be determined for each six weeks:
25% Practice toward Learning (homework assignments, class work/participation, oral Q&A, etc.)
25% Application of Learning (projects, presented conversations, vocabulary & grammar application assignments, writing samples, etc.)
50% Evaluation of Learning (tests: listening, speaking, reading & writing, grammar &culture, etc.)
100% TOTAL
From handbook:
OPPORTUNITIES TO RE-DO ASSIGNMENTS
Evaluation Category -A student will receive an opportunity to be re-evaluated when he/she receives a grade below 70% in the evaluation category (excluding evaluation grades received on projects/assignments that extend over a period of 5 days). In order for re-evaluation to occur, the student will participate in the re-teaching process as determined by the teacher. The re-evaluation score will replace the original score with a maximum grade of 70%. The re-evaluation process must take place within 5 school daysof receiving the initial grade below 70%.
Late Work/Zeros
When students do not turn in assignments on the due date, they will have the opportunity to turn them in as late work before receiving a zero.
From the Handbook:
“The teacher is not required to accept late work more than one day after the due date.” Late work will receive a deduction of 30 points when received on the school day following the due date, after that the student will be given a zero for the assignment.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Due dates
Pay attention to due dates. For example, an assignment “due Oct. 2nd” would mean the assignment is due at the beginningof your class period on Oct. 2nd. Please note: For electronic assignments (on VHL Central) the due date will be the following day at 8:10 in the morning in order to offer students the opportunity to take advantage of the school WiFi. If you should have any problems (including technology), please make me aware of them before 8:10 am on the due date (before the bell for 1st period), otherwise your work will be counted late and will be subject to a late penalty.
Make-up Work
You have 3 days to complete your make-up work when you have been absent. However, if you are going to be out for a school related activity, you are responsible for getting the assignment before you leave and submitting the completed work when you return.
From the Handbook:
“A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.”
Tutorials
I am available for tutoringMonday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:40-4:30 pm and at other times upon request. Students need to schedule tutoring with me in order to avoid conflicts. In the event that I have to cancel scheduled tutoring I will call or email the student and or parent to reschedule. In the event of unforeseen conflicts and or emergencies I will post a note on my door.
Translators
With the increasing efficiency of technology students can easily access language translators. Remember using translators at this level is considered cheating. With this in mind, any written assignment to be graded as an application or evaluation will be done in class.
Materials(Required – unless otherwise stated)
- 3 subjectspiral notebook with a pocket for handouts: Vocabulary (Vocabulaire), Grammar
Notes (Grammaire), and Miscellaneous (Divers) - This spiral is to be used ONLY for French class.
- A French/English dictionary (not a pocket dictionary – Miriam Webster, Collins, and Barrons all make a decent student dictionary priced from $6-$10)
- Pens: Use onlyblue/black for assignments; pleasekeep redfor grading
- Loose-leaf notebook paper --do NOT turn in ripped out, jagged edge spiral paper!
- ***earbuds or headphones to use with i-pad*** (must be brought to class every day)
- Index cards for flashcards (optional)
- Disinfectant wipes (optional – if you prefer to wipe down headset before use)
Practice
It is very important to practice French and review your vocabulary on a regular basis. I will use pop quizzes to determine who is honestly practicing the language outside of class. We all have very different learning styles. Some students can absorb and retain information in class by listening and taking notes. Others must go home and quiz themselves using flashcards, foldables, or practice orally with another person. Students are expected to learn their vocabulary and grammar concepts. Find what works best for you! Find what works best for you!
It is going to be a great year and I look forward to working with your student. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. After reading this document, please fill out the attached form with your information. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this plan or any other matter.
Textbook and required materials:
Textbook: - D’accord Level 3 – Vista Higher Learning (class set)
iPad (fully charged each morning) with earbuds
7 jours sur la planète - app
This document should be kept in your 3-ring binder for reference.
Pre-AP French III
2017-2018
Madame Powers
Classroom Expectations, Policies, and Procedures
My student and I have read and discussed Madame Power’s Welcome to Pre-AP French III packet.
Our signatures below indicate that we understand the expectations and agree to follow the policies and procedures outlined in this packet.
Parent Name (please print)
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Parent SignatureDate ______
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Day time phone # and e-mail
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Student Name (please print)
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Student SignatureDate ______
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