8th Grade French

Course Objectives, Expectations, and Policies

2009-2010

OBJECTIVES

Students will:

1)   Attain a measurable degree of communicative competency and proficiency in each of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

2)  Develop and practice these skills through contextualized sentences, conversations, narratives, and activities (i.e., role playing, conducting or taking part in an interview, etc.)

3)  Learn up-to-date, authentic information about the French-speaking world (i.e., how they live, where they live, what their customs are, etc.)

4)  Succeed on the N.Y.S. Foreign Language Proficiency Exam (given in June) and earn a high school credit towards foreign language study (required for graduation from high school).

EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to:

1)  Treat one another with respect and kindness.

2)  Be prepared for class (including all necessary materials: pens, pencils, notebooks, assignment pads, assigned text, and workbook)

3)  Turn all class work in on time (Late work WILL be accepted after due date, but WILL NOT earn full credit.  If work is turned in one day late, ½ credit is received.)

BOOKS/MATERIALS

Text: Discovering French: Nouveau (bleu - level 1)                             

Discovering French listening activity/workbook

Handouts (i.e., worksheets, games, etc.) 

Notebook: 1½ inch 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper

Pens (blue or black ink) and pencils

HOMEWORK

The study of a foreign language requires daily practice and reinforcement; therefore, students should study vocabulary and grammar every day.  Written homework assignments will be given 3-4 times per week.   These assignments can be found by calling the homework hotline or by checking my website. Homework assignments will be checked at the beginning of each class period.  If homework is not complete at the beginning of the class period, students will not receive full credit for that assignment. If homework is turned in one day late, 1/2 credit will be received.  Beyond one day late, assignments are not eligible for credit. If there are students who frequently miss homework assignments, a work detention will be assigned for that day, or at the earliest convenience.   Additionally, there may be individual and group projects that will require work outside of class. 

GRADING

A variety of assessments will determine grades, including the following: 

            50%   Tests/Quizzes (Chapter quizzes; unit tests)

            30%   Homework/Classwork (exercises from textbook, workbook, cultural readings, etc…)

20%  Participation (speaking, effort)

      ________

          100%

N.Y.S. FRENCH PROFICIENCY EXAM

At the conclusion of 8^th grade French, students will take the New York State Second Language Proficiency Exam.  All students must take and pass this exam in order to graduate from High School in New York State.  Upon passing French 1 and the NYS Proficiency Exam, students will receive one high school credit and will be recommended to take French 2 in 9th grade.  More information will be provided concerning this exam as the year progresses.  The test consists of the following sections:

Part 1A: Informal Speaking (10 points)
Part 1B: Formal Speaking (20 points)
Part 2A: Listening (20 points)
Part 2B: Listening (10 points)
Part 2C: Listening (10 points)
Part 3: Reading (20 points)
Part 4: Writing (10 points)

MAKE-UP WORK

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher regarding missing assignments.  I will keep a homework folder where the student can find all necessary assignment sheets, worksheets, etc. when returning to school from his/her absence.  Assignments are also available via the homework hotline and website.  In general, work assigned during a student’s absence MUST be completed within the number of days the student was absent (i.e., a two day absence = two extra days to complete the assignment.) 

GETTING HELP

Students may make arrangements to meet with me during their lunch periods, or before or after school.   I can be found after school everyday until at least 3:00pm (usually later).  I strongly encourage students to meet with me for help if they do not understand an assignment, are behind on their schoolwork, or have been absent.

COMMUNICATION

Please feel free to contact me anytime. 

My phone number at school is 615-6300.

My e-mail address is klewis@gcsny.org.

My website is http://www.goshenschoolsny.org/schools/CJH/websites/lewis/lewisfrench7.htm

HOMEWORK HOTLINES

Blue Team: 615-6390

Green Team: 615-6391

http://www.goshenschoolsny.org/schools/cjh/homeworkhotline/homeworkhotline.htm

* The Homework Hotline should not be used as a sole source for assignments.  Please be advised, it is subject to change and error.

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