foreign language division - Oak Park and River Forest High School

OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL
WORLD LANGUAGES DIVISION
COURSE SYLLABUS 2010-2011
Instructor: Jessica Howell
Room: 383
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 708.434.3400
COURSE DESCRIPTION
413 French 3-4
2 semesters, 2 credits
Prerequisite: French 1-2 or equivalent
This second-year French course continues the development of the four language skills. Advanced vocabulary and
grammar are presented with emphasis on oral and written responses. There is increased use of French in the classroom
with frequent dictations, conversations and short compositions. The reading selections and cultural materials are
included.
REQUIRED BOOKS
 C’est à toi! 2 text; 2007 EMC Publishing, LLC ; ISBN 9780821932841 ( CLASS SET)
 C’est à toi! 2: Grammar & Vocabulary Exercises workbook ;EMC Publishing, LLC ; ISBN 9780821932926
QUARTER GRADE
The total number of points accumulated during the quarter determines the quarter grade. The following factors are used as
guidelines to determine the quarter grade:
 Written quizzes (with listening comprehension)

Class Participation & Preparation (notebook)
 Compositions

Cultural Projects
 Homework and Deskwork

Oral presentations and skits
SEMESTER GRADE
The total number of points accumulated during the semester determines the semester grade. The quarters are
approximately worth 40% each, and the cumulative final exam is worth 20% of the semester grade.
GRADING SCALE
The following grading scale is used:
A 89.5-100%
B 79.5-89.4%
C 69.5-79.4%
D 69-59.5%
F 59.4% and below
EXTRA-CREDIT
Opportunities for extra credit will be offered periodically throughout the semester but should not be depended upon to
“save the grade” at the end of the term. Students can always bring in Kleenex boxes with a conjugated French verb on
each side of the box for extra credit.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
Student grades and upcoming assignments will be updated continuously and available on Skyward. I will also contact
parents and guardians by e-mail. A website with assignments and helpful links will also be available soon.
COURSE OUTLINE – SEMESTER 1
Additional assignments, quizzes and tests will be given as needed
First Grading Period
C’est à toi! 2, text: Unit 1
 9 Quizzes
 3 Tests
 3 Compositions
 3 Oral Performance Assignments
 Homework & Deskwork
 Participation & Preparation
 Film: C’est à Toi and Tous à bord video series
 Readings: Selected poems, A vous la France!
and Images readers
Second Grading Period
C’est à toi! 2, text: Unit 2
 9 Quizzes
 3 Tests
 3 Compositions
 3 Oral Performance Assignments
 Homework & Deskwork
 Participation & Preparation
 Film: excerpts from Paris je t’aime,
Delicatessen, Joyeux Noël, C’est à Toi and
Tous à bord series
 Readings: Selected poems, A vous la France!
and Images readers
 1st-Semester Final Written & Cumulative
Examination (Listening Comprehension,
Speaking, Reading, Writing)
COURSE OUTLINE – SEMESTER 2
Third Grading Period
 C’est à toi! 2, Textbook: Unit 3
 9 Quizzes
 3 Tests
 3 Compositions
 3 Oral Performance Assignments
 Homework & Deskwork
 Participation & Preparation
 Readings: Selected poems, A vous la France!
and Images readers
 Film: La rue cases-nègres, C’est à Toi and
Tous à bord video series
Fourth Grading Period
 C’est à toi! 2, Textbook: Unit 4
 9 Quizzes
 3 Tests
 3 Compositions
 3 Oral Performance Assignments
 Homework & Deskwork
 Participation & Preparation
 Films: Les Intouchables, Les visiteurs, C’est
à Toi and Tous à bord video series
 Readings: Readings: Selected poems, A vous
la France! and Images readers
 2nd-Semester Final Written & Cumulative
Examination (Listening Comprehension,
Speaking, Reading, Writing)
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Thank you for coming tonight! I really enjoy teaching your children about the French language
and culture. We have a wonderful group of students this year, and are continuing what we
started last year (with our new additions) developing our community of learning in the
classroom. I feel so lucky to be able to loop up with some of the students from first year.
We get to do so much more in second year French! The majority of the class is conducted in
French, and the level that we investigate topics is much more in depth. We rely less on the
textbook and are able to introduce more culture, supplementary readers, and real world
applications. The students feel more confident because they have a year under their belt, and
we get to just have fun! Any questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact me
anytime.
Thank you for sharing your children with me for 48 minutes a day. It is my privilege to be their
teacher!