FRENCH I

East Coweta High School

Madame Poling

christine.poling@cowetaschools.org

770.254.2850

 

Course Description:

French I is a beginning French course which focuses on authentic culture and real life communication in French.  We will be using the Discovering French Nouveau--Bleu textbook and spending two to three weeks on each unit.  We will practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking as the students learn to communicate about family, friends, home and school.  Students will be introduced to culture typical of France and the French-speaking world.  By comparing the French language and culture with those of their own community, students will gain a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences that exist between the two.  We will be concentrating achieving Novice-Mid to Novice-High levels of proficiency as described in the Georgia Performance Standards areas for Modern Languages, Level I (www.georgiastandards.org).

 

Course Goals:  By the end of this course the student will be able to:

*Respond to basic questions and visual cues dealing with weather, colors, time, family, home, classroom routine, leisure time, school, sports, and self.

*Understand and use greeting and leave-takings.

*Introduce self, family and friends.

*Recite memorized sequences or lists such as the alphabet, days, months, seasons and numbers.

*Express emotions, interests, likes and dislikes in oral and written form.

* Read short passages and answer questions about them.

*Carry on a simple conversation in French.

*Understand some of the culture, history, geography, and traditions of the countries studied.

*Recognize similarities and differences between French and English.

 

Materials to be brought to class daily:

            *Discovering French workbook

            *3 ring binder (1 ˝ size or larger)

            *5 dividers

            *Paper

            *Pencil or pen

            *Index cards (optional)

            *Colored pencils or markers (optional)

 

Classroom Expectations:

In order to create a positive learning environment, the student should:

1.      Be in your seat with all materials ready to go when the bell rings.

2.      Show respect for yourself and others.

3.      Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4.      Listen carefully and follow all directions the first time given.

5.      Take pride in your work and speak French as much as possible.

 

If a student chooses to interfere with classroom learning in any way, then he or she will receive appropriate consequences including warnings, student/teacher conferences, isolation, parent phone calls and e-mails, detention and office referrals.

 

Grading Procedures:

Homework will be given almost every night.  Students will be expected to write all assignments down on their French calendar in their notebooks.  The student’s final grade will be determined by the following scale.

 

Assessments:

Tests and quizzes                                  25%

Daily work                                           45%

Projects and presentations                    15%

Midterm Exam or Final Exam    15%

Total 9 week grade                               100%

 

Make-Up Work: 

Attendance is crucial.  When a student is absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to check the make-up work folder and complete all missed assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange to make up all work within 3 days of returning to class.  In addition, all assignments will be listed on my webpage at www.new.schoolnotes.com,      (type in the school zipcode, “30277,” and “poling” for teacher).  Parents and students will also be able to access assignments and current averages on the Infinite Campus parent portal.

 

Tutoring:  Mondays 3:30 to 4:00/Thursdays 7:45 to 8:20 or by appointment.  I am available most mornings and afternoons for tutoring unless I have meetings.  Please make an appointment to let me know that you will be coming.

 

Steps to Success:

* Write down all notes and organize your notebook.

*Listen, imitate, and participate in class.  The only way to learn to speak a language is by practicing it.

*Memorize, memorize, memorize!!  Use your own handmade vocabulary flashcards to study your French words every day.

*Do not fall behind.  Do your assigned work daily.  Language learning builds on what you have already learned.

*Ask for help if you need it!

*Come for tutoring.

*Practice vocabulary using www.classzone.com, our textbook website.

*Use the “Take Home Tutor” program on your home computer to reinforce classroom learning.