Instructor: Sarah Shackelford

             Room 109

             Email: knote@fuse.net (home) or shackelford_s@cneschools.org (school)

             My Homepage: http://www.madameshackelford.com/ 

             Phone: 513-625-1211 ext.158 (school) or 513-367-9013 (home)

(I am generally available in Room 109 both before and after regular school hours (and at lunchtime) if you need extra help or have any concerns. You and/or your parents may also call me at home if you need to.)

Rationale:

 French is a fun, beautiful, and romantic language. It is the language of history, of Roman Ruins, of valleys full of castles. It is the language of the future, of high-speed trains, planes and rockets. It is the language of the Mona Lisa and of the Eiffel Tower.

 It is a language that can take you to tropical islands such as Tahiti or Martinique, to the plains of Africa and the jungle of the Congo, and to the northern Tundra of Quebec.

 It is a language famous for amazing food, astonishing fashion, wonderful perfumes. It is a language of business and of poetry. (For a variety of other reasons for studying French, see
On the Importance of Knowing French.)

Class Goals and Activities:

French course goals support CNE High School’s mission and are based on Ohio State Foreign Language Academic Content Standards that outline what students should know and be able to do with a Foreign Language. Emphasis is placed on functional proficiency in a communicative context. The instructional approach is designed to facilitate genuine interaction with others, and offers opportunities to explore, develop, and use other subject content, communication strategies, learning strategies, critical thinking skills, and skills in technology as well as the appropriate elements of the language system and culture.

Sample methods and techniques used in the classroom include TPR (Total Physical response), TPRS (Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling), oral drills, cooperative learning in pairs and groups, drama, songs, games, pen pals, online grammar practice and internet based reading and research, and various projects relating to cultural practices, products and perspectives.

Resources and Required Supplies:
 
There is no required textbook or workbook for French courses. Resource materials are drawn from a wide variety of authentic sources in both print and non print, and you will receive many handouts. You will be expected to maintain and bring to class every day a ring binder organized in four sections: a) handouts   b) class notes   c) homework and graded assignments   d) miscellaneous. This will be checked periodically. Each section should be in chronological order – so every item should be dated. I may announce a notebook check ahead of time, or I may grade the notebook “as is” with no warning. Your notebook should be up to date and organized at all times.

 You will also need to have with you a writing instrument (pencil or pen) and straight-edge binder paper. A French dictionary is very helpful, but not required since we have a number of them available for use in the classroom and there are online formats as well.

Evaluation Procedures:

Class performance and progress toward proficiency will be measured often and by a variety of means: portfolios, graded assignments and projects, quizzes (oral and written), tests (oral and written), informal class participation and oral work, and performance based tasks. The latter are designed to assess a student’s competency to communicate in French by using the language to perform a variety of functions within specified contexts. Quizzes and tests are usually announced in advance, and rubrics describing grading criteria for assignments and activities will generally be available. Letter grades, based on percentage values, follow the scale outlined in the CNE Student Handbook.

Ungraded homework (short exercises for daily practice) is randomly checked and credited on the day it is due, and is accepted late only in the case of an excused absence. Graded assignments are marked down one letter grade for each day late except in the case of an excused absence.

After an excused absence it is your responsibility to find out and make up what you missed. Be sure to check your in-class family mailbox, where a family member will have placed copies of any relevant worksheets or handouts as well as a "While You Were Out" slip. You may also consult CNE's Progress Book for clarification of assignments and graded activities.

It is your responsibility to arrange make-up quizzes and tests with me; I will not remind you. In the case of a planned excused absence, you are responsible for getting your work ahead of time and for being prepared when you return to class. When a graded assignment or a test is planned on a day you know you will be absent, please make arrangements with me before the absence.

Class Behavior Expectations:

1. Come prepared:  on time, homework done, "French First" attitude.

Bring to Class Everyday your French notebook, writing instrument (pen or pencil), and paper.

2. Be respectful and courteous to your classmates.
To successfully learn a foreign language, students must be willing to try new experiences. They must be comfortable attempting new pronunciation sounds, working in small groups, in front of the class, and with several different partners. People are willing to do this in a safe, supportive atmosphere, where they don't fear ridicule from their peers or their teacher. In my classes, we are all part of a team. We support each other with acceptance, encouragement and respect.

3. Be a risk taker. Don’t be afraid to speak out. Take chances. Try out what you’re learning. Have fun with this, and participate fully in class. How much you get out of this class will depend very much on how much you’re willing to put in.(See class participation rubric.)

4. Do as your teacher asks, the first time she asks.

5. All classes follow the code of conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. In addition, no writing notes, no working on other subjects during class time.