SYLLABUS FRENCH II 2010-2011
Mme Corinne Weitzmann Room 102 cweitzmann@buckley.org ext. 466
I. Course Description
The French II course builds upon work begun in the first year classes and continues to
emphasize the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The
acquisition of useful vocabulary continues in this course as students pursue the mastery
of grammar. All remaining verb tenses with the exception of the subjunctive will be
covered. Students will continue to develop their conversational skills through their work
with others and through oral presentations. Reading selections continue to introduce
students to the diversified cultures of the French-speaking world. The Bon voyage video
program complements the text and enhances aural comprehension, vocabulary building
and conversation.
II. Course Objectives
In French II, students will:
*continue work begun prior to this year, emphasizing the four language skills of
speaking, listening, reading and writing French;
*review and acquire more specialized vocabulary, grammatical structures,
pronunciation and cultural awareness through in-class activities, exercises,
assignments and projects;
*actively participate in class using French on a daily basis;
*demonstrate learning through class participation, activities, homework assignments,
projects, quizzes and tests.
III. Methods of Instruction
Classroom instruction will be conducted entirely in French. Students should come to
class prepared to use and practice new vocabulary and grammar structures by engaging in
oral activities and conversation with the teacher and their peers. Throughout the year,
students will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of cultural topics through
readings, presentations, music and film.
IV. Course Materials
A. Textbooks
Glencoe French II: Bon voyage (textbook)
Glencoe French II: Bon voyage (Writing Activities Workbook)
Lisons comme ça! (multi-level French reader)
B. Supplies
One 3-ring binder with a three-hole notebook and five binder dividers
Two black or dark blue pens
One green pen
Recommended but not required:
One black felt-tipped pen
3x5 white lined index cards (approximately 400 for the year)
One plastic 3x5 file box (for storing vocabulary flash cards at home)
V. Course Outline
First Quarter
Review of topics covered in French IA and IB, including definite, indefinite and
partitive articles; adjective agreement; present tense of regular and irregular
verbs; passé composé of regular and irregular verbs with avoir; passé composé
with être; present tense of reflexive verbs
Vocabulary and Culture: cinema, theatre and museums; cultural activities in Paris;
African music; health and medicine; medical services in France
Grammar: passé composé of reflexive verbs; direct and indirect object pronouns;
the pronouns y and en; imperatives
Second Quarter
Vocabulary and Culture: computers and technology; telecommunications past and
present; train and air travel; money and banking; postal services
Grammar: formation and use of the imperfect tense; narration in the past using the
passé composé and imperfect tenses; the relative pronouns qui and que;
reciprocal verbs and past participle agreement; negations
Third Quarter
Vocabulary and Culture: foods and food preparation; regional cuisines of France;
cars and driving; accidents and medical emergencies; hospital services in
France
Grammar: the future and conditional tenses of regular and irregular verbs;
conditional sentences; relative pronouns; superlative adjectives; pronouns in
the imperative
Fourth Quarter
Vocabulary and Culture: hotels and travel; public transportation in France and
French-speaking Africa; city life and country life
Grammar: formation of adverbs; interrogative adjectives, adverbs and pronouns;
use of prepositions with infinitives; expressions of time and duration
VI. Assignments
A. Daily assignments will include exercises for grammar practice and review,
opportunities for creative writing, memorization of vocabulary and preparation for oral
presentations in class. Each student will receive a weekly assignment sheet outlining the
material to be covered each day in class as well as specific daily homework assignments.
B. French II is a course which requires the acquisition of extensive vocabulary.
Students will prepare practice flash cards for all active vocabulary words and should
review these cards on a daily basis for the duration of each lesson. Students should also
bring current vocabulary cards to class every day for ongoing study and review.
C. There will be frequent quizzes on vocabulary and grammar structures, as well as
a comprehensive test for each chapter studied.
VII. Grading and Assessment
Students will be evaluated on the basis of participation, completion of homework
assignments, projects, quizzes and tests. Test scores will constitute 40% of the course
grade, quizzes and projects 20%, homework and class work 20% and class participation
20%. The grading system for French II follows the Buckley format found in the
Parent/Student Handbook.
VIII. Course Expectations and Policies
A. Homework:
*Homework, completed in black ink, dark blue ink or legible pencil is always due
at the beginning of the class period. The use of typewriters or computers for
completing homework is NOT acceptable. Homework should be done
individually, unless otherwise specified.
*Messy or incomplete homework will result in a loss of credit.
*Late homework will not be given full credit unless it is prompt make-up
work resulting from an excused absence. Students should refer to the
Student/Parent Handbook for Buckley's policy on make-up work.
*Projects not turned in on time will be downgraded for each day late and
will not be accepted at all after five class meetings.
*Notes from home excusing students from homework or tests will not be
accepted.
*When collected, homework will be evaluated as follows:
100% correct ++ happy face
90-99% correct + happy face
80-89% correct = normal face
70-79% correct - sad face
Below 70% correct -- sad face, incomplete
B. Absences:
*It is the responsibility of each student to complete assignments missed during
absences. Upon returning to class, the student will immediately arrange to make
up missed work or tests. Failure to do so will result in a loss of credit on missed
work or tests. In the case of an unexcused absence, students are expected to
to make up missed work, even though credit cannot be given for it.
*In most cases, students who return to school on the day of a test will be expected
to take the test if they were present for most of the teaching of the lesson.
* Tests are never assigned less than two days in advance and, therefore, are to be
taken on the assigned day.
*All make-up tests must be scheduled on the day the student returns to school
from an absence. It is the student's responsibility to schedule the make-up test.
C. Citizenship:
Students in French II are expected to:
*speak French in class at all times;
*uphold the Buckley Commitment which includes respect, kindness, honesty,
loyalty, self-discipline and self-reliance;
*enter class promptly, bring all required materials and assignments, and have
homework ready;
*raise their hands and be called on before speaking;
*remember that cheating is always wrong, whether copying answers on a test
or homework in the workbook;.
*come to me for extra help whenever necessary.
D. Use of Computers
Students may use laptops during class ONLY for taking notes or doing assigned
research or projects. The Internet and other online applications such as email and instant
messenger applications may be accessed only with the teacher’s permission. This policy
is in effect whenever the laptop is in the classroom. Failure to follow the classroom
policy will result in a reduction of the class participation grade and/or the loss of the
privilege to use a laptop in the classroom.
Students should NOT use a computer to complete daily homework assignments unless
otherwise specified on the assignment sheet. Projects requiring computer research,
including projects regarding French holidays and French-speaking countries, will be
assigned during the year.
Students should also visit the website which accompanies the textbook
(www.glencoe.com). This website offers additional grammar practice and self-tests as
well as enrichment material related to many of the topics covered in the readings.
Please tear off page and return to instructor
I have read and understand the course syllabus, course grading policy and class rules for
French 2 with Madame Weitzmann.
Student name and date: ____________________________________________________
Signature of Student: ______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian name and date: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________________