French I

In French I, students will learn the basic conjugation of regular -ER verbs, avoir, and possibly ÊTRE. Mlle Beckman is wonderful at reviewing verbs, and helping others with any help they may need.

The first trimester of the year, students learn the basic conjugation of the verb "AIMER"- to like, "AVOIR"- to have, "FAIRE"- to do/to make, and "JOUER"- to play. Students learn basic phrases to say.

The second trimester of the year, students have the option of attending French Camp. Students typically go some time in March or April. At French camp, students are required to speak French as much as they can. Students are introduced to French foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Students also have the option of games, crafts, and down time to do whatever they would like. Personnel at French Camp do not allow any English or any other language literature, cell phones, or ipods though cameras are allowed and are highly recommended.

•Required materials

Papier: a supply of paper for homework and note taking

Classeur: a three ring binder used only for French class to keep notes and handouts

Stylo/Crayon: pens with blue or black ink ONLY; if using a pencil, make sure it has an eraser!

Planner

•Class Expectations

Be on time and prepared to learn. Make sure you bring all of your class materials each class period.
Be respectful
Behave appropriately. Please allow those around you to learn and participate by refraining from talking out of turn and being disruptive. Inappropriate behavior will result in grade reductions and/or referrals to the administraiton.
Leave all distrations outside the classroom. (As stated in the Student Handbook)
Participate!! Listen, follow directions, and try your best.

•Homework

Homework is given nearly everyday and is due the next day at the beginning of class. There is NO CREDIT for late homework!
Daily activites and assignments are the key to the practice and repetition you need to learn a new language.
Homework must be legible, written in pen or pencil, and have smooth edges (cut off fringes).
Jour de répit passes can only be used for daily homework assignments, unless otherwise specified by Mlle Beckman. You may turn in the homework assignment with the pas one day after the due date for full credit.

•Projects

Projects will be assigned throughout each trimester to incorporate cultural activities and allow you to apply language skills in context. You are expected to have your project completed and out on your desk at the beginning of the class period for full credit. Any project turned in after the assigned due date will be deducted 10% per day late.

•Make-Up Work

All make-up work is on the assignment calendar
It is your responsibility to complete and turn in all make-up work within 5 school days of the excused absence.
Make-up work is to be turned in to the wire basket. Write the reason for turning in late work AND the date of the absence at the top of the paper.
Unexcused absences do not allow you to make up work you missed.

•Food, Drinks, Gum

Gum and food (this includes candy) are not allowed in my classroom. If you have these, I will ask you to get rid of them.
The only beverage allowed in my classroom is water in a clear, plastic container with a lid.

•Hall Passes

Students will be issued four (4) hall passes per trimester.
You must have a hall pass AND your planner
You may use each hall pass at your discretion, but not for longer than five (5) minutes. If you exceed this limit, you will be using up more than one of your passes. If the abuse of limits persists, you will be placed on the school-wide No Pass List and lose the privilege of passes in ALL of your classes.

•Grades

Grades are determined by points earned on homework, quizzes, tests, projects, and participation. It's the work YOU do that determines the grade YOU earn at the end of the trimester.
Participation points are part of the grade for daily class work with partners, groups, CD work, having your book and planner, orals, etc. You are expected to make every effort to speak French during class.
Remember, your French does not have to be perfect!
Grades are figured with the following weights:
- Participation: 20%
- Assignments: 25%
- Quizzes/tests: 30%
- Verbal tests: 25%
Grading scale:
A       94-100%       B-     80-82%     D+     68-69%
A-      90-93%         C+    77-79%     D       65-67%
B+     87-89%         C      73-76%     D-      62-64%
B       83-86%         C-     70-72%     F        0-61%

•Grade Book

Grades are recorded in the computer. New grades will be posted every Friday by student ID number. It is your responsibility to check your grade and scores to make sure they are accurate. Your parents may also check grades from home by going to SchoolView. They will need to get long-in information from the school office in order to this.
If there is an error, you may:
- Discuss it with me before or after school. Make sure you know which score is being discussed and have proof of that error.
- Write me a note explaining the error and attach it to the paper showing proof of the score.

•Extra Credit

You may turn in unused hall passes and jour de répit passes for extra credit at the end of the trimester.
They are worth two (2) points each.
Any other opportunities for extra credit will be announced, but do not count on this to save you grade!!
Extra credit may only raise your grade 1/3. For example, if you are earning a C- and turn in extra credit, the highest your grade may be is a C.
Extra credit will be added to your grade at the END of the trimester.

•Cheating

Cheating will not be tolerated. The penalty will be ZERO POINTS on the task with no re-takes or make-up work. If you appear to be cheating, you will be treated as if you are cheating. Copying another student's homework is also considered cheating. Bothe the copier AND THE AUTHOR of the work will receive ZEROS!
Any student suspected of completing a Language B assignment using any translation program or native speaker for more than a word or two will receive a zero and may not resubmit the assignment for credit.

•Detention

You will be assigned detention with me for every 3 unexcused tardies to my class (3,6,9, etc.).
Detention can be working or non-working. Working detention is 15 minutes and consists of you doing menial tasks for me (cleaning transparencies, cleaning tables, scraping gum off tables, etc). Non-working detention is 30 minutes and consists of you doing nothing. NO homework, NO sleeping, NO music, NOTHING.
Detention must be assigned and completed within five (5) school days of the qualifying tardy. If it is not assigned/completed by that time, you will be assigned one hour of office detention with an administrator.

•Help at School

I understand that learning French can be tricky (I've been there too!). You may come in to make up work or get extra help before school from 7:00 to 7:25, after school from 2:00 to 2:30, or other times if arranged with me in advance. I will NOT write a pass for you to leave another class to complete make-up work for my class, nor will I allow you to make up work while I am teaching another class. Lunch is not an option either.