French IV Class Syllabus

Course # FR411Y - 1 credit

Grade - 12

 

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(school) or 513-367-9013 (home)

 

Course description:

Lessons in French IV engage intermediate high to advanced low students in using the language in activities that are embedded in real life contexts and make frequent use of authentic materials produced by and for native French speakers. Activities encompass all three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and provide practice in the skill areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. During this course you will practice handling increasingly complicated situations or transactions in francophone cultures by discussing and writing about current, past, future and hypothetical events, reacting to themes, characters and significant details in oral, written, and viewed materials, reporting on expressive products (literature, music, visual arts) and creating stories, poems and skits based on personal experiences and exposure to themes and perspectives from the target culture. You will gather and apply information from authentic resources to research a variety of topics, monitor and discuss current events in the francophone world, and present information about the language and culture to others. You will also participate in community wide projects such as tutoring younger students.

 

Pre-requisite: Grade of C or better in French III and permission of instructor

 

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, TPRS (Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling), cooperative learning in pairs and groups, drama, songs, games, pen pals, blogging (and/or other internet based activities), reading, writing and research, and various projects relating to cultural practices, products and perspectives.

 

Resources:

There is no required textbook or workbook for this course. 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: 1) a ring binder organized in four sections:

 a) handouts   b) class notes/journal   c) homework and graded assignments   d) miscellaneous

and 2) a writing instrument (pen or pencil) and straight edged paper.

 

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.

 

Course Units: (Note that these may be subject to change during the course of the year). Units are broad in scope and cover a variety of topics, language functions, and activities.

1st Quarter (This quarter we will get reacquainted, examine manners and social customs, take a boat ride on the Seine River, and explore career options and the working world.)

La Vie Scolaire (We’re going to do a play about French class!)

Le Savoir-vivre (Etiquette)

En Suivant le cours de la Seine (“While following the course of the Seine”, we’re going to take an in depth look at French Impressionism.)

La Vie Active (Our foray through “The Working World” will allow us to explore career options in depth, prepare our résumés in French, and practice interviewing.)

 

 2nd Quarter (This quarter we will talk about and debate solutions for a variety of life’s problems , solve a few mysteries with the French III students, and examine French history from the Middle Ages through the Revolution).

Epics----La chanson de Roland and the story of Joan of Arc

 “Dear Abby” – Personal, Historic, and Social Dilemmas

Of Kings and Castles and Revolutions

 

3rd Quarter (This quarter we will take a driving tour of France, become true French food experts, and become acquainted with the philosophies of the Little Prince).

A Vacation in France

Cuisiner et apprendre le français! (Cook and learn French!)

Le Petit Prince

4th Quarter:  (This quarter we’ll take a look at French journalism and current events, anticipate the approaching summer vacation via a variety of fun activities, and become experts in various individually chosen aspects of French culture).

Quoi de nouveau? (What’s new?)

Spring and Summer Delights (Individually chosen culture projects plus a variety of recreational pursuits!)