AP French Syllabus

CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL - World Language Department

FRENCH ADVANCED PLACEMENT Course Syllabus 2007-2008
Instructor: Ms. Estelle R. Sirot
E-mail address : Sirote@fultonschools.org


Course description:
AP French is an advanced level course. It will be conducted entirely in French and is designed for students continuing from level 4 Honors and who have been recommended for this class. The AP French Language course is designed to provide students who desire to present themselves for the AP French language examination with the tools and preparation required to successfully take the exam.
Most of the class will be devoted to discussing literature and to writing essays with an emphasis on perfecting students’ speaking and writing skills. Language skills are further refined through prepared oral presentations, debates, and written questions presented in class. Through writing and speaking on a wide range of topics, students expand their vocabulary, develop their writing style in French, and improve their critical thinking skills, all in the target language. Listening skills will continue to be developed by participating in classroom discussions, and by the viewing and discussing of French films as well as the listening and viewing of various recordings of French songs and newsbroadcasts.
As a college level course, and in order to succeed to the AP exam, students must commit to doing work on their French language skills, that is, in addition to the classroom work. Students are expected to be self-motivated with regards to the work required for the course. Participation is critical to success in this class and is expected of all students.

Objectives:
By the end of this year of study, the student should reach mastery of the four skill areas of the AP examination:
Listening (the ability to understand spoken French in various contexts)
Speaking (the ability to express themselves coherently and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in spoken French)
Reading (gain a French vocabulary which is sufficient for reading newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings without the dependence of a dictionary)
Writing (the ability to express themselves coherently and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in written French)

Prior to the administration of the AP exam in May 2008, students will have the opportunity to take three AP released exams as a preparation. The first one will be given at the beginning of the first semester. The second one will be the first semester final exam and the third one will be take place on Saturday, March 29th in the morning. The 2008 French AP exam is scheduled for May 5th 2008.

Primary textbooks: value
Students are responsible for the care of the following items:
Preparing for the AP French Language exam and accompanying cassettes $ 25
Une fois pour toutes $ 40
Reprise $ 40
In addition, we will use the following materials:
Candide by Voltaire
Contes et légendes de France
Fables de la Fontaine
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
We will also use other resources such as released AP exams, newspapers (Le Monde), magazines (l’Express), the internet, CDs, TV5 (French television) and numerous other non text resources.
It is highly recommend that, at this advanced level, students purchase a dictionary. These are available at local bookstores as well as online starting at around $7.00. Some good names are Larousse, Oxford-Hachette and Merriam-Webster.

* In addition, Students should purchase before the end of August one of the AP French Language Test Prep books with an audio CD (Barron’s or other). These books allow students to take additional French practice tests at home, and are available at Amazon.com for approximately $15-$20.

Grading:
Student assessment will be conducted in a variety of ways. Parents are encouraged to view entered grades at any time by logging into the parentConnect system via http://chattahoocheepc.fultonschools.org. Students receive a progress report every 6 weeks and a report card at the end of each semester.
Grading policy is as follow:

90-100 = A Major assessments (test and projects) 20%
80-89 = B Minor assessments (quizzes, dialogues) 15%
70-79 = C Notebook 10%
69 and below = F Class participation and homework 40%
Final exam 15%

Help sessions:
If you ever need extra help, I will be available for tutoring on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:50 AM to 8.20 AM in room E-116. The student is asked to make an appointment with the teacher.
Attendance:
Regular attendance and punctuality in class are vital to the success of any student. Attendance will be taken during every class.
Materials:
Every student in this class is required to bring, every day, their books and notebook (3-ring binder with enough dividers). Students are expected to maintain their notebook all year round. Dividers will be used for the following sections: Grammaire, Vocabulaire, Culture, Écriture, Lecture, prep AP, infos TV5 and other. There will be notebook evaluations during the school year.


GUIDELINES FOR THE MAKE UP and RECOVERY PROCEDURE


Make Up Policy:
Absences should be avoided. Students will be allowed to make up work according to the Fulton County/CHS Make up policy (Please review the details of this policy in your student Handbook). Note that, according to the policy,”…students who are present for any portion of the school day are expected to turn in all assignments due on that day in order to receive full credit for that assignment.” Please be reminded that it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and to turn it in on time as well as contacting the teacher regarding any make up wok. Late work always receives a reduced grade. As mentioned above Make up sessions will be held at the same time as help sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:50 to 8:20am in room E-116.

Recovery Policy (Fulton County, High School version):
Provision for improving grades:
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to the course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.
Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.

Chattahoochee High School recovery guidelines:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is a 70%. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. The student must initiate the process within five days of notification of a failing grade on a major assignment/test.



CLASS RULES AND PROCEDURES

Expectations:
Every student is expected to complete all assigned work with integrity and, to the best of his/her abilities. Every student is also expected to conduct him/herself in a respectful and responsible manner so that each student can learn and benefit from the class instruction.

By the time the tardy bell rings, all students should be in their assigned seats. Failure to arrive to class on time will result in Lock out.
Bring your notebook, Book, Activity book and pen, pencil, eraser every day to class, no exception! (You will not be excused from a class to retrieve your materials once class has started)
Stay in you seat at all times unless instructed otherwise.
No talking in class unless called upon by the teacher, therefore, do not call out answers without being called!
Listen to the instructions the first time they are given.
No gum, food, candy, or drinks allowed in the classroom.
All personal grooming should be taken care of BEFORE class. This includes trips to the bathroom.
No phone, CD player or other annoying gadgets.
Keep the room clean. Trash belongs in the trashcan and no IFO’s in class at anytime.
In any situation not covered above, use common sense and good judgment and remember, the teacher dismiss the class, not the bell.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK A RULE !!!

First time: Name on teacher’s gradebook checked. Warning given
Second time: Second warning given, 15 minutes detention on Wednesday morning from 7:50 to 8:05, parent called.
Third time: Third warning, 30 minutes detention on Wednesday morning from 7:50 to 8:20, parent called.
Fourth time: Referral written.
Severe disruptions: Students sent immediately to other teacher room or the office.

REWARDS:
Praise daily!
Positive notes sent home
Movies.
Various other positive perks
The joy of learning each day of the school year!!!

My teacher has gone over the class policies and procedures. My parents and I fully understand the requirements, and I will try to fulfill these to the best of my ability.

Signature of student _______________________ date _________

Parents’ names _______________________

Parents’ address _________________________________________________________

Parents’ email _________________________________________________________

Parents’ phone # Home _____________________ Work _______________________

Parents’ signature _________________________________________ date ___________

Parent connection:
I believe I cannot be an effective teacher without your parental support. Please feel free to contact me at anytime by leaving me a voice mail (#248) or calling the office (770-521-7600) to schedule a conference to check on the progress of your child or to ask me any question you may have. I can also be contacted by email at the following address: sirotE@fulton.k12.ga.us . Let’s have a wonderful year together! Bon Courage!

Ms. E. Sirot