French 5 Home

Ms. Molly Stauffer French 5-8 stauffer@townschool.com

Bienvenue à la classe de français!

Jump ahead to textbooks, materials, grades, after school help

Welcome to French 5! I believe that the study of foreign languages is very important, especially in a large multi-cultural city. Foreign languages open doors to understanding people and cultures around the world. French is the only language other than English that is spoken on five continents. It is the language of UNESCO, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Olympic Committee. Through the study of French, you also might learn something about your own language and culture as well!

The four-year French program at Town School begins in the 5th grade. It is often the case that students entering the program have little to no facility with the language. It is the goal of the French program that each student will develop proficiencies in speaking and listening as well as reading and writing. An appreciation for French culture and the cultures of the French-speaking world are also emphasized throughout the four years. Naturally, students will practice reading, writing, and conversing with the teacher. Yet students will also perform skits, have impromptu conversations with other students, sing songs, play games, and create original projects on a variety of subjects.

Much of the first year is dedicated to building the students' vocabulary base and sharpening pronunciation skills. An effort to build cultural awareness is ongoing. 5th grade culture focuses on French holidays and the geography of France. By the end of the first year, the student will be capable of carrying on a simple conversation and constructing basic sentences. Classes are conducted in French and English and meet three times a week.

Textbooks for 5th grade French are:

• Getting to Know France and French, Barron's publishing
• French is Fun, Amsco publishing
• First Book of France Louisa Somerbille. Usborne Publishing.

Materials necessary for French 5 are:

• A notebook
• A folder for handouts
• A French/ English dictionary is highly recommended
• Writing utensils, paper, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, etc.

Grades

Grades for French class are divided as follows:

Tests and quizzes: 35%

Homework, projects, and compositions: 35%

Class participation, skits, and speaking: 20%

Written classwork, notebook: 10%

Extra credit is available up to a week before the end of every quarter. There is also a spelling clause. If a student writes every vocabulary word three times before a quiz, spelling will not be counted against him.

Notebooks are graded for content, completeness, and quality of notes. Students may keep a notes folder on their laptop and print notes to be graded with permission from the teacher.

Participation is based on the amount of French spoken in class. Points are deducted for poor behavior.

After School Help is available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until 4 or by appointment. These may change throughout the year based on my graduate classes.