Bienvenue à la classe de 6ème
Madame Briden: mbriden@lincolnschool.org
Class syllabus
Grade 6 French is the second year of a two-year Bridge Language Program that was created to ease the transition between Lower School and Middle School French. Classes meet four times a week in Grade 6 (50 minute sessions). During these two years, the students are introduced to a formal instruction of the target language, in which the four skills of communication -reading, writing, speaking, and listening- are taught in an integrated way. The Middle School Language Curriculum implements the National Standards of communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. All units of study are planned to reflect these standards. Instructional activities are all based on the purpose of enabling the student to communicate effectively within a cultural context and in three modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Major forms of assessment include frequent written quizzes, reading comprehension exercises, skits and oral presentations, special projects, and listening and speaking activities in the language lab.
Course Goals
The following objectives will be achieved in accordance with the philosophy of Lincoln School and its Quaker values, such as investigation, reflection, observation, collaboration, active participation and the exchange and development of ideas.
1. To make connections between Francophone cultures and one's own culture
2. To develop the 4 language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing
3. To build a solid base in French grammar, including the conjugation and usage of regular and irregular –er verbs in the present tense, the conjugation of the verb être, adjective agreement, definite and indefinite adjectives, and possessive adjectives.
4. To expand the knowledge of everyday vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
5. To speak French as much as possible to improve fluency
6. To get to know oneself as a language learner by personalizing and applying learning strategies to enhance one's knowledge, attitude and skills
7. To recognize the importance of French as an important and necessary influence in the world today and to appreciate the cultural aspects that relate to the language
8. To practice and perfect, as much as possible, French pronunciation by practicing key phonetic sounds
9. To foster a positive understanding of Francophone culture and history through projects and reports
10. To incorporate Quaker values such as investigation, reflection, observation, collaboration, active participation and exchange of ideas into the learning process
Expectations and Evaluation
This class will be conducted almost entirely in French. You are expected to try to speak French at all times. An active presence, an open mind and thorough and timely preparedness are all important to the final grade. It is expected that you will abide by Lincoln's rules at all times. The final grade is a combination of tests, quizzes (announced and unannounced), skills and project assessments, diary, (PUNCTUALITY OF) homework completion, attendance/active and appropriate presence in class and a willingness to use French in the classroom
HW/Projects= 20% Tests=30% Quizzes=30% Participation/Conduct= 20%
Homework policy
Homework is an integral part of the curriculum and is a way for students to extend what has been taught and to prepare for the next sequential part of the course. Homework teaches thinking skills and independence in learning and must be completed in a required time. For 6th graders in this French class, homework should not go over 30 minutes (most assignments will take no more than 15-20 minutes). Please jot down the start and end times when doing your homework each night so that I can be sure to not overload you (this does not include breaks, phone calls etc... made while working). Homework is due at the beginning of class. I will not track you down for late or missing assignments. This is your responsibility as a student to communicate with me and to know what you need to do. Late homework will be penalized:
- type A: homework collected in class may be handed in late with a 10 point per day penalty. This type of homework may be graded or checked
- type B: homework not collected (hw we go over in class) cannot be handed in late and will be counted as a zero toward your participation grade. This type of homework will be checked:
(check += superior, check= completed, check - = lacking, INC= incomplete 0= zero) - all students will get 1 free missed assignment per marking term for type B homework
Absences
-if you are absent, check the class web page for any new assignments. You can also email me with any questions - you have 1 week to make up missed assignments or assessments upon returning from an excused absence. Please talk to me to schedule a time
- in the case of an unexcused absence, you will not be given the opportunity to make up any missed assignments or assessments
a note on Integrity In accordance with Lincoln School's Handbook, it is expected that all work that you produce is 100% your own. Please see the section on plagiarism for clarification. You are not allowed to use online translators. Please use http://dictionnaire.reverso.net/anglais-francais/ for online dictionary help. If we suspect that you have used an on-line translator, you will be confronted and will receive 1 warning. After that, you will receive zero credit for any work that is suspicious.
other examples of plagiarism
- sharing answers prior to or during a test
- consulting written information during a test (unless allowed by the teacher)
- submitting work done in one class for credit in another class
- copying or rewording the homework of others
- borrowing words, ideas, images from others and not giving the person due credit (to avoid this use a bibliography, footnotes)
- copying and pasting text from the internet *To avoid the possibility of plagiarism, you are expected to acknowledge the sources you use. Refer to the MLA handbook (there is a direct link through the US library)
Extra Credit: It is not acceptable to pass in extra credit unless you have completed all of your work during the grading period in question (thus being extra work). Please check with your teacher before you complete an additional assignment for credit. I encourage you, however, to complete these activities for your own enrichment!
