FranÇais 1A

Mrs.  Ben-Abdallah

703-720-5729

ben-abdallaha@fccps.org

 

Welcome to French class with Madame Ben-Abdallah.

I am confident that this will be a very successful and rewarding year for your child.  If there is ever a problem or question, please do not hesitate to contact me directly before it is too late.  Also, encourage your child to contact me, either in person, or by e-mail with any question or concern he or she may have.  This way, we can all have a great year together.

 

Course Description

French 1A covers much of the basic material of the first part of the Level 1 high-school course.  However, it differs from the high-school course in several major ways.  Course content is geared to be relevant to the students’ interests, with a focus on the world of the pre-adolescent, and an emphasis on knowledge of other cultures, perspective-taking skills and the values and attitudes that will enable students to function as productive and ethical citizens of the global community of the future.

 

This course introduces the student to the French language within the context of the French-speaking world and its cultures.  The aim is to enable the student to attain basic proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a greater emphasis on the listening and speaking skills.  Basic vocabulary, simple conversation skills, and grammatical concepts are introduced with an emphasis on correct pronunciation and idiomatic assimilation of the language.  Correct rhythm and stress patterns are practiced from the outset.  Communication skills are practiced in a variety of contextualized activities including real-life personal questions and answers and situational dialogues.  Active student participation in the learning process is highly emphasized through projects, games and frequent paired and small group communicative activities.  Students are encouraged from the beginning of the year to master useful expression and create simple sentences with personal meaning.  A variety of materials and strategies are used to involve all students in the learning process.  Success and satisfaction in using the language are major goals.

 

Course Outline:

 

Quarter 1  Discovering French Bleu Reprise, Unit 1 and half of Unit 2

 

Communication and grammar objectives:

1.     To say hello and good-bye

2.     To introduce yourself and say where you are from

3.     To count to 60

4.     To tell time

5.     To identify friends and acquaintances

6.     To count from 60-100

Culture / Readings:

1.   The first day of school (la Rentrée)

2.   French names

3.   Greetings

4.   Friends

5.   Montréal and Québec

 

Quarter 2  Discovering French Bleu Unit 2 and Unit 3

 

Communication and grammar objectives:

1.      To say how old you are and find out someone’s age

2.      To talk about birthdays and holidays

3.      To identify family and relatives

4.      To give the date and the day of the week

5.      To order some common foods and beverages in a café

6.      To ask about prices and pay the check

7.      To ask friends to give or lend you something

8.      To talk about weather

9.      To name the seasons

Culture / Readings:

1.   The French family

2.   Young French people

3.   Food 

4.   The café

5.   The euro

 

Quarter 3  Discovering French Bleu Unit 4

 

Communication and grammar objectives:

1.      To describe some of your daily activities

2.      To say what you like and do not like to do

3.      To ask and answer questions about where others are and what they are doing

4.      To invite friends to do things with you

5.      To politely accept or turn down an invitation

Culture / Readings:

1.      French school week

2.      Weekend activities for French teenagers

3.      Sénégal

4.      Unesco

Quarter 4  Discovering French Bleu Unit 5

 

Communication and grammar objectives:

1.      To talk about yourself:  personality and what you look like

2.      To describe your friends and other people

3.      To describe your room

4.      To talk about everyday objects that you own or use

5.      to describe these objects:  size and color

6.      to express your opinion about what you see or hear

7.      to identify colors

Culture / Readings:

1.      Montpellier

2.      Strasbourg

3.      French cars/driving

4.      Friendship

 

Required books

Discovering French Bleu (1A) and corresponding workbook

Assignments:

1.  In-class work (including projects) - Map of France and bordering countries, family tree, weather poster, translations, letters, dialogues, short stories, descriptions of people, dialogues, other fun stuff!  (checklist and rubric are given for each project)

 

2.  Homework - Homework will be listed on the chalkboard everyday.  Students will write it in their agenda at the beginning of class.  It will also be listed on my website under Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.

 

3.  Tests/Quizzes:  The major tests are Units 1-4, a vocabulary test for Unit 4, a verb test during Unit 4, and 4 large lesson quizzes for Unit 5.  During each Unit, there may be small 10-15 point quizzes on various vocabulary and grammar.

4.  Participation:  5 participation points will be awarded each class, for perfect behavior and being on task.  For each infraction, 1 point will be deducted.

 

Differentiation:

Dependent upon ability, interest, progress and academic need(s) of a student in a given class, it is possible that the course requirements/assignments may be modified.

 

Grading Scale:

Grades are done on a point system.  The approximate breakdown is as follows:

Classwork / Participation - 25%               Tests - 25%

Homework / Projects - 25%                      Quizzes - 25%

All graded assignments will be assigned a point value.  The number of points earned divided by the number of points available determines student's grade.  Students are expected to keep track of their grades on their grade sheets.

 

Student progress is recorded in a gradebook and on the computer.   

 

Required Student Materials:

1. Blue or black and red pens, and pencils

2. Agenda

3. Binder with paper and three dividers

4. One spiral or “marble-type” composition notebook for use in class.

5. For projects, I will let the students know ahead of time.

Classroom Procedures

Classroom procedures and rules were discussed in class.  Each student received a copy of the rules and procedures.  Parents were asked to review them with their child and sign the paper indicating they have received them.  If you have not yet seen the guidelines, please contact me.

 

Make-up work due to excused absences:

·           Missed homework is due the next class after the student’s return to class.  (One day for each      day absent.)

·           Missed tests or quizzes may have to be made up after school. 

·           Extended absence due dates to be determined on an individual basis.

 

Make-up work due to unexcused absences:

School Board Policy states: “Students forfeit daily grades for unexcused absences.  Make up work including tests and quizzes will be provided, however, timing of make-up quizzes or tests will be determined by the teacher.  A reduction of one letter grade will be levied and disciplinary measures may be taken”.

 

Late work Policy:

School Board Policy states: “… if homework or project is submitted after the due date, a deduction of 10% for each class day the assignment is late is deducted from the earned grade.  The maximum deduction is 50%.  Students have until one week before the end of the quarter to submit any late homework or project.  If not submitted by that time, students will earn a zero for the assignment/project”.

 

Extra help:

I am available most days after school.  Students should check with me in class to confirm my availability.