Participation: Your active participation listening, speaking, reading and writing are crucial in order to enjoy and succeed in this course. You will be graded on your participation as well as your comportment both in the classroom and language lab. The French classroom should be an environment that is supportive of students asking questions, making mistakes and learning.
Notebook: You must bring to class each day and keep organized a French three-ring notebook. These will be checked periodically and graded based on your organization.
Class notes: You are responsible for material covered in class (board work, discussions and readings). I expect that you will maintain an individual system for taking notes that will allow you to record course material. If you need help developing a system, please ask for help.
Homework: You are expected to complete homework each night for this class. The assignments will be checked every day. Homework will be graded: no credit, poor, good, and excellent. If you have an excused absence from class, you are still responsible for completing missed work. You must turn in your work the day that you return to class so that it will not be counted late. Any late homework will receive a grade no higher than poor.
Quizzes/ Tests: You will receive a letter grade for quizzes and tests. I will give you appropriate warning of upcoming quizzes and tests to allow you to prepare and seek extra help if needed. If you have an excused absence the day of a quiz or test, you must be prepared to take it the day you return to class.
Independent projects: You are responsible for researching, writing and orally presenting in English an independent project during both the fall and spring trimesters. You are free to choose any topic that relates to francophone culture or history. Each project will be assigned a test grade, and a majority of the work is to be completed outside class time.
Assessments: At the end of each trimester you will be assessed on your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The assessment is designed to enable you to demonstrate what you have learned by applying your knowledge to real-life functions (shopping, buying a train ticket, reading a map, etc.).
1. Be on time for class. Three unexcused tardy arrivals constitute 1 absence.
2. In the event that you are unable to complete an assignment on time, you may ask for an extension. This request must occur no later than School Meeting the day the assignment is due. An extension is granted at the discretion of the teacher.
3. Plagiarism and Cheating are considered to be a violation of a Fundamental School Rule. Please make sure that you read the Handbook and are familiar with these rules. I expect that you understand how to properly cite your work while doing research papers. If you are unsure, please ask for assisstance.
4. Extra help is always available. I offer extra help during my free blocks (B and E) and nights that I am on duty. If these times conflict with your schedule, together we can make other arrangements. Please stay on top of your work and do not let yourself fall behind.
5. You will be graded academically as follows.
Academic Achievement Grade:
Participation 15%
Homework/ Notebook 20%
Quizzes 15%
Tests/Papers/Projects 50%
Final Trimester Academic Achievement Grade:
Academic Achievement Grade 85%
Trimester Assessment Grade 15%
6. Your effort will be graded as well. This grade is based on your ability to meet the following standards as written in the Handbook.
Academic Effort Grade:
In the classroom, students must strive to...
1. Demonstrate and respect academic curiosity, both in themselves and fellow students.
2. Practice positive deportment and attitude, with attention to punctuality, academic accountability
and thoroughness.
3. Participate positively and regularly in all class activities.
4. Motivate oneself and use one's own initiative.
5. Seek extra help and guidance when appropriate.
October
5th: Bibliography for Independent Project Due
21st: Research notes due for Independent Project
November
1st: Presentations and Papers due for Independent ProjectReturn to my home page.