Syllabus



Giverny or Monet's Garden, just outside of Paris COURSE INFORMATION FOR INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH Introduction to French is a semester course which effectively supports the “5 C’s” of the world languages standards (communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities) while making basic language acquisition an enjoyable experience. Students will have access to two textbooks in the classroom, French Is Fun and Exploring French with supporting audio tapes and videos. Homework is usually reviewing information from classroom notes for quizzes. Additionally, we will use the Muzzy Language Course, a video-based approach. Our class time is lively, interactive, and productive, with learning often reinforced through games. The goals for the introductory French student are stated below as course objectives. The students will respond to simple commands/use polite phrases such as please, thank you, and you’re welcome read and understand simple words and expressions comprehend short conversations greet people/describe people, places, and things using adjectives and simple short sentences describe weather/tell time ask and answer questions/express likes and dislikes sing songs/compare and contrast celebrations and holidays/participate in simple cultural activities write/present a short self-introduction identify countries where French is spoken count to 100 in French (and beyond) understand/use vocabulary related to general topics: classroom objects, colors, foods, family, parts of the body, months, days, seasons, clothing, etc. ask and answer questions about name, age, origin, likes, etc. support Arizona reading and writing standards through using reading strategies in short selections and using the writing process in brief writing assignments COURSE INFORMATION FOR FRENCH II French II is centered in the national standards for foreign language learning. Communication – Students will communicate in languages other than English Cultures – Students will gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures Connections – Students will connect with other disciplines and acquire information Comparisons – Students will develop insight into the nature of language and culture Communities – Students will participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world Students have an outstanding textbook, Allez, viens! published by Holt, with copious accompanying resources including audio and video programs with a DVD tutor as well as an Internet connection, go.hrw.com. Although the largest and most critical goal is always communication, this text is culturally rich with an eye to helping students gain the skill to analyze the culture, evaluate it within its context, compare it to their own culture, and develop the ability to function comfortably within French culture. The goals for the French II student are stated below as course objectives. The students will Understand and interpret written and spoken communication on a variety of topics in French. (Examples are practicing telephone vocabulary/etiquette and understanding/responding to questions about short listening dialogues and stories.) Engage in oral and written exchanges which include providing and obtaining information, expressing feelings and preferences, and exchanging ideas and opinions in French. (Examples are using vocabulary to express feelings, emotions, opinions, physical description, etc., and using interrogative expressions, numbers, and verbs to acquire goods or info in transaction.) Present information and ideas in French on a variety of topics to listeners and readers. (Examples are writing and acting in original skits and writing and answering questions about family, birthday, place of birth, age, etc.) Know “what to do when” and “what to say while doing it” in the culture and use this knowledge to interact appropriately. They will also understand the relationships between cultural perspectives, products, and practices within cultures. (Examples are understanding/identifying behavior or customs of French-speaking people in different situations and recognizing/using in a dialogue/real situation appropriate language and behavior in different situations.) Use French and authentic sources to reinforce and/or learn content from other subject areas. (Example is comprehending/answering questions about countries/capitals, sports, money and currency exchange when traveling, etc.) Develop insights into their own language and their own culture through the study of French. (Example is comparing/contrasting how history, religion, lifestyle, economics, etc., influence cultural perspectives of Americans and French speakers.) Use reading strategies and the writing process to support Arizona content standards. COURSE INFORMATION FOR 7TH GRADE ENGLISH Grade Level: 7th Course #: EN07Course Name: General English # of Credits: One (1) Course Description: This course includes the study of composition (writing), literature, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and study skills. Course Objectives 1. Students will use the writing process. 2. Students will write effective sentences using correct conventions. 3. Students will write well-structured letters (friendly and business). 4. Students will write well-structured paragraphs (summative, expository, process, persuasive, descriptive). 5. Students will write a multi-paragraph personal narrative. 6. Students will read and analyze a variety of literary selections. 7. Students will increase vocabulary. 8. Students will implement study skills. Course Content: Reading: Short Story Writing: Writing Process Poetry Editing Novels: Barrio Boy Proofreading The Cay Grammar Cheaper by the Dozen Sentences Hatchet Six Traits of Writing The Heart of a Chief Letters The Hound of the Baskervilles Summative Paragraph The Incredible Journey Expository Paragraph Julie of the Wolves Process Paragraph Local News Persuasive Paragraph A Long Way from Chicago Descriptive Paragraph Lupita Manana Personal Narrative Never Cry Wolf Literary Analysis October Sky Vocabulary The Pearl Spelling Walk Two Moons Study Skills Non-fiction Note Taking Fables, Folktales, Fairy Tales, and Myths Drama Independent Reading Testing: District Test (persuasive paragraph) and AIMS (grammar, conventions, writing) Selection of reading and writing materials is at the sole discretion of the teacher as long as the materials fit within MPS policies and curriculum. Reading and writing materials are subject to change through the semester.