1. Bienvenue!

Welcome to the wonderful world of French! This will be an interesting and enriching class for all of us. Since we only speak French in this classroom (in other words, no English or other languages), you will acquire and learn a lot this year. Please understand that speaking only French will not be easy, but it will be worth it in the long run. The key to understanding what is going on is to PAY ATTENTION and PARTICIPATE! Use your active listening skills to determine what the speaker(s) is/are saying. Don’t worry about the words that you don’t know; instead concentrate on what you do know (you’ll be surprised how many words are similar or exactly the same in French and English – except the pronunciation, of course)! I am looking forward to a great year watching you learn and progress in French!

1. Class expectations

• Students and teacher will speak only French during class time.
• Students will be sitting in their seat, working on the Début (the daily warm-up, bell ringer) when the tardy bell rings. You may be marked tardy if you are not in your seat working when the bell rings.
• Students will have their homework (if assigned) sitting on their desk during the Début so Madame may record the points earned.
• Students will be active participants in the classroom.
• Students will correct their own homework when the class reviews the assignment.
• Students will have their materials ready each day: pen or pencil, a binder with dividers (a section for French) with loose-leaf paper for notes and assignments, packets, and their Interactive Notebook (a composition book).

III. Class rules

1. Students will place their cell phones and other electronics in their backpacks in accordance with the Dinuba High School Electronic Use policy. Violations of this rule may result in confiscation of the electronic device after a warning.
2. Students will respect each other, all faculty and staff members, and their surroundings.
3. Students will obey the rules of Dinuba High School as stated in the Student Handbook.
4. Students will arrive on time for class.

1. Why learn French?

• Learning French allows you to communicate in another language.
• French is an international language. For example, it is one of the two official languages of the Olympics.
• Many jobs and careers need French speakers, especially for United States companies operating in France. These companies include: IBM, Microsoft, Mattel, Dow Chemical, Sara Lee, Ford, Coca-Cola, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, and Hewlett-Packard.
• Learning another language helps you understand your own language(s).
• Many colleges and universities require students to take two or more foreign language classes in high school.
• Studies have shown that taking a second language can improve scores on the SAT (reference: Admissions Testing Program of the College Board).
• French has given many words to English; you’ll be surprised how many you know already and learning French may improve your English vocabulary.
• French is considered the second most influential language in the world.
• French is the main language of art, cuisine, dance, and fashion.
• Contrary to some people’s beliefs, French is NOT more difficult than Spanish.  Each language has its own aspects which make them equally easy to learn.

1. Materials

As stated above, each student is expected to have in class every day:

• A pen or pencil
• A binder with dividers for organizing notes and handouts. Students may choose to have another folder for this class for handouts
• Their packets
• Loose-leaf paper
• Their Interactive Notebook (a composition book. These can be purchased at Walmart, Dollar Tree, Target, office supply stores for about $1).
• Their agenda

Students will check out a textbook from the library to use at home.

1. Learning Goals and the California Language Learning Continuum

The five goals for learning a foreign language are:

• Communication – communicate in a language other than English.
• Cultures – gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.
• Connections – connect with other disciplines and acquire information.
• Comparisons – develop insight into one’s own language and culture.
• Communities – participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.

VII. Grading

The final grade of the class is comprised of:

- 10% Homework and Classwork

- 15% Class participation

- 20% Quizzes

- 20% Tests

- 20% Projects

- 15% Interactive Notebook (collected quarterly)

• Class participation points are tallied each week (10 points per week). Each instance of participation is worth 2 points. It is possible to receive 12 points out of 10 for those students who participate much more than required. Note: You cannot earn participation points when you are absent from class; however, as stated before, you can earn “extra” points to offset the absence.
• Most homework assignments (Devoirs) are worth 5 points and are due at the beginning of the next class meeting unless otherwise stated. Late assignments result in a reduction of points. Missed homework can be made up for excused absences only. Homework is graded on effort and not perfection. Students are responsible for correcting their homework during class unless it is collected.
• Débuts (the daily warm-up, bellringer) are written on a Début sheet, which are collected about every two weeks or so. They are worth 10 points and are a part of the Homework/Classwork grade. They are also graded on effort and completion.

VIII. Quiz/Test make-up policy

In General, quizzes and tests are made up at lunch (by appointment, please) or BEFORE school. See me after class for any questions.

1. Course of Study

Unité 1 : Faisons connaissance (Getting acquainted)

• Saying hello and goodbye

• Introducing yourself

• Saying where you are from

• Introducing friends, family, and relatives

• Counting to 100

• Saying how old you are and finding out someone else’s age

• Classroom objects

Unité 2 : La vie courante (Daily life)

• Ordering snacks and beverages in a café

• Asking about prices and paying for food and drink

• Using French money

• Telling time

• Giving the date and day of the week

• Talking about the weather

Unité 3 : Qu’est-ce qu’on fait ? (Daily activities)

• Describing daily activities

• Saying what you like and don’t like to do

• Asking and answering questions about where others are and what they are doing ?

• Inviting friends to do things

• Accepting and turning down invitations

Unité 4 : Le monde personnel et familier (People and possessions)

• Asking people about what they have and telling them what you have

• Telling others about yourself

• Describing friends

• Giving people’s ages

• Describing a bedroom

• Talking about and describing everyday objects

Unité 5 : En ville (City life)

• Describing a city, public buildings, and places of interest

• Asking for and giving directions

• Describing house or apartment

• Discussing future plans and saying what you’re going to do

• Talking about friends and their families

Unité 6 : Le shopping (Buying clothes)

• Naming and describing clothes

• Discussing style

• Shopping for clothes and other items

• Talking about money

• Making comparisons

• Pointing out certain people and objects
• • • • • Honesty Policy

Students will abide by the Dinuba High School Honesty Policy. In French class, this means that the use of Google Translate and other online translators is forbidden. Complete your own work, no copying of others’ work.