Monsieur Grasmann            Français 6                            

Welcome to what is most likely your first year learning a second language.  For this reason, we will be working on finding strategies that work for you.  Each strategy might not be perfect for you, so explore and find what best suits you.

The beginning follows the natural order of language acquisition and its four main skills.  The class starts with listening for any given topic.  Next, we move on to speaking, reading, and finally writing. 

Although conversation and communicative skills are emphasized, many different teaching strategies are used to maximize all of the various aspects of learning a language.  Repetition is essential to memorization and internalization of key elements of any topic covered.  Grammar studies are equally important to mastering conversation and the concepts that lead to true proficiency in French.  The key to mastery is practice and study time. 

Flashcards are an essential component to mastering vocabulary.  Flashcards made from index cards are a quick method to review and study vocabulary as well as some grammatical concepts.  The word to be memorized should be written in French on one side and English on the other.  When I ask vocabulary to be copied five times, one of the sets should be written on index cards.  The process of handwriting as opposed to typing is important to help anchor the spelling of words in your memory.  Vocabulary cards can be studied like flashcards.  Parents can look at the French side and ask the child to spell the word.  Words that are missed should be put into a separate pile to review again.

I.                    Course Description:  French 6 is designed to introduce students to the four basic language skills:  Listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  It is also an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of the French language while becoming acquainted with the French-speaking culture throughout the first four chapters of the text.

II.                Classroom Expectations:  Students are expected to arrive to class on time with all necessary materials.  When students arrive to class, they should find their seat, copy down the homework assignment, take out their homework from the previous night, and start any work that is written on the board.  The students should participate actively and be respectful to everyone at all times.

III.             Textbook and Materials:  The French 6 textbook, Allez Viens!, is to be left at home.  There is also a workbook that students should keep in their binder and write in for any assignments.

a.       Supply List is as follows:

                                                               i.      1.5 – 2 inch binder (yellow).  This should be divided into five sections (conversation, vocabulary, verbs, grammar, and culture).

                                                             ii.      1 marble composition notebook

                                                            iii.      Larousse Student Dictionary ISBN 2-03-540105-4

                                                           iv.      Packet of index cards and 2 inch ring binders or a box to organize them.

                                                             v.      Pen and/or pencil.  (I will only accept work done in blue or black ink.)

IV.              Topics:  Conversation and vocabulary topics will include the alphabet, colors, school, greetings, likes/dislikes, hobbies/pastimes, telling time, weather and making requests.  Grammar topics will include regular –er verbs, some irregular verbs such as avoir and faire, subject pronouns, negative expressions, definite/indefinite articles, and interrogative adjectives.  Cultural projects will include the geography of France, a student-selected topic pertaining to France, and the Impressionist art movement.

V.                 Grading Policy:    There will be one major test per chapter.  A test will be assigned at least one week before the student is expected to take it.  Quizzes may be assigned the day before it will be taken.  There are occasional quizzes that check the grasp of a particular topic and vocabulary as well as quizzes for each of the three étapes in a chapter.  Sometimes there will be many small quizzes so that they are easier to study for and so that a lot of time does not pass between assessments.  Students have one day to make up an assignment.  The student can receive up to half of the original credit for made up work.  In addition to quizzes and tests, class work assignments such as skits, orals, group activities as well as projects and compositions will be included to form the student’s average.  The student’s average is the number of points he or she has received divided by the maximum number of possible points.

VI.              Extra Help:  Students are encouraged to come and see me during lunch, or activity period.  Students should make an appointment to see me as soon as they are in need of extra support.  This is especially true for extra support for homework and projects.

Let’s work together to make this an exciting and productive year for learning and Francophone exploration!