Course Syllabus

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Bienvenue à la classe de français 1!

Mme Perry

Salle 147

perrys@wellesleyps.org

Office hours starting at 2:30 on Wednesdays

This will change from time to time, but will be announced in class and on Canvas. Check Announcements for updates. 

Need a tutor? Please fill out this form

Extra help also available in the Language Lab (rm 155) from 7:30-8:30 on Days 1 and 5

  • Our course goals: The language benchmark for French 1 is INTERMEDIATE LOW
    • Essential skills (From the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for World Languages)
      • Speaking – Engage in and maintain conversations on familiar topics with the goal of getting your idea across.
      • Reading/Listening – understanding the main idea of readings, videos and audios, and finding some of the smaller, familiar details.
      • Writing – Write in sentences about familiar topics using personal experiences and preferences.
      • Cultural awareness – Show an understanding for the French-speaking world including its people, what they do and what they value

 

  • What are we studying this year?
    • We will study topics that are important in your daily lives such as family, school, friends, free time activities, traditions, and activities that are unique to French-speaking cultures.

 

  • How do grades work?
    • You will receive a rubric before each performance assessment so you understand the success criteria. As we progress from Novice French speakers into Intermediate speakers, the rubrics will change to reflect our abilities. 

 

  • The World Language Department uses sequential grading
    • Each performance assessment counts more heavily than the last (e.g. the first one may be worth 10 points and the last one worth 50)
    • Each quarter counts more heavily than the last:

Sequential Term Weights:

Term 1:

12%

Term 2:

19%

Term 3:

26%

Term 4:

31%

Final Experience

12%

Year End Grade

100%

 

  • There are two types of assessments:
    • Performance assessments – (90% of each quarter grade) – these are tasks where you actually use the language.
      • Interpretive Reading and Listening- Read an article or infographic, listen to a video or audio, and answer interpretive questions
      • Interpersonal Speaking- Conversations with groups of 2-5 people
      • Presentational Writing- Writing an essay/paragraph
      • Presentational Speaking- Giving a short presentation on a topic, this may or may not be in front of the class
    • Achievement Assessments – (10% of each quarter grade) – these are quick check ins to see how you’re doing with the material that we’re studying
      • Vocab and/or grammar can do check- Check in to see how you’re doing with our vocab and/or grammar
      • Homework completion

 

 

  • Policies: Retakes and Failures
    • Retakes
        • No retakes on performance assessments except for special circumstances 
        • Retakes on achievement assessments are permitted. In French, you must meet with a teacher to review your performance. Depending on the year of study, there may be a limit to the number of retakes permitted per quarter. 
    • School & Department Policies
      • An F as a term grade equals 54.5%.

 

  • District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.
    • While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. 
      • For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs. 
    • The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided.

 

 

EOY Assessment Policy

End-of-Year Assessment Practices for World Languages:

  • The EOY assessment is in two parts.
    • The Speaking component will be given prior to EOY blocks (6%).
    • The Writing component will be given during the 2-hour EOY block.(6%)
  • All of the themes in the course are on the table for Speaking and Writing prompts, but you will not know the question until the day of the assessment.
  • Extended Time Policy (Determined in collaboration with Special Education Director): 
    • The writing assessment is intended to be 1 hour or less for most students.
    • All students are permitted to take an extra 15 minutes if they need. 
    • At the 60 minute mark, I will announce that you should be wrapping up but have an extra 15 minutes.
    • In addition, any additional time for students with pre-approved extended time (e.g. IEP, 504, DCAP accommodations) will need take place beyond the 120-minute block. 

 

  • French 1 is a combined ACP/H class. So, how is grading different for each level?

ACP Expectation

Honors Expectation

Uses a wide variety of vocabulary from the current unit.

Uses a wide variety from the current unit, resources, and previous units.

Uses appropriate text type (phrases, connected sentences).

Uses appropriate text type and advanced connectors/transitions.

Targets grammar with errors that don't impede comprehension.

Targets grammar and incorporates previous concepts seamlessly.

 

  • Successful students…
    • Speak French. All of the time, as much as possible
    • Have a good attitude about learning, are willing to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes
    • Come to class prepared and organized
    • Exercise good study skills- constantly review what we do in class, not just for assessments but daily!
    • Are respectful and kind in their behavior towards other members of the class and the teacher.
    • Use electronics responsibly.
        • Are on task
        • Understand that Google Translate/AI constitutes plagiarism. Rather, use WordReference.com for vocabulary and ask Mme Perry if other uses are acceptable
  • Are in class and on time.
  • Talk to mewhen they need help, feel confused, need something repeated, etc… I want to help you understand, improve and reach your full potential!
  • Ask for help when they need it!

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due