Bienvenue à la classe de Français!

We are going to have an exciting year learning French. In order for you to successfully learn this wonderful language, we must practice and prepare. Please follow these guidelines:

1. Be here! We do many things in class that are difficult or even impossible to “rerun.” If you are absent, call your “buddy” that evening to find out what we did in class so that you will be prepared when you return. Plan to make up work within 2 days for each day missed. If it is not turned in within this time frame, it will be late and given half credit.

2. Be on time! Be in your seat with homework on your desk when the bell rings.

3. Be physically and mentally prepared. Make sure that you have all of your materials. Make sure you have gone over what we did in class the day before. Take 15-20 minutes every night to review what we have done in class, even if you don’t have a specific written assignment . . . . . however, homework will be given most nights.

4. Be courteous! Treat your classmates and teacher with respect. Follow directions. Listen carefully when someone in speaking. Raise your hand to speak and try to contribute in a positive way. Help your classmates learn without distraction.

5. Participate! Education is not a spectator sport. I would much rather have you try and give a wrong answer, than not make an effort. We can learn from mistakes, but we get nothing from nothing. (Besides, it’s part of your grade!)

6. Ask for help if you need it! I will help you during Homebase or after school. Please let me know during class that you plan to come for help.

7. Take care of routine things before or after class! If you are sharpening a pencil or going to the restroom, you are not learning French. We have to use every minute we can for French, because our class periods are 8 minutes shorter than the high school’s.

8. Be responsible! If you miss a quiz, test or presentation, you need to see me before or after, not during class, or during Homebase to arrange to make it up.

9. Take pride in your school! Follow all Herrick rules. Take care of your books and your classroom. If you deface your book or desk, we will follow the school policy on fines.

Bring to class every day:

a) textbook, Discovering French (covered)

b) activity workbook

c) three-ring binder with paper and dividers

d) folder with pockets

e) pen with blue or black ink, or pencil

f) red or different color pen for correcting

g) assignment notebook

h) completed assignment

Please also bring one old (clean!) sock and one dry erase marker to be kept at school.

Appropriate behavior is expected at all times. Respect your classmates, your classroom, your teacher, and yourself!

Consequences for behavior infractions will be:

First incidence

a) warning

Second incidence

b) note home to parent to be signed and returned following day

Third incidence

c) phone call to parent and 40 minute detention

Fourth incidence

d) referral to assistant principal

Academic integrity is expected at all times. Homework is given to practice and reinforce what was learned in class. Working on an assignment with a classmate is fine provided that both students contribute. Do not copy or allow your work to be copied. Neither student will receive credit for the assignment if it is copied.

Cheating on a quiz or test will result in a “0” and a call to parent.

For inappropriate behaviors such as swearing, insubordination, or fighting, the student will immediately be sent to the office.

Grading:

A 90-100 Grades will not be “rounded up”

B 80-89

C 70-79 Extra credit is not offered on a

D 60-69 regular basis

F 59 & under

Some homework will be for a grade, but most will be given points for

completion. Late work will not be given full credit (unless with a parent note explaining unusual circumstances). There will be chapter quizzes and unit tests (covering several chapters). Trimester grades will be based on Homework, Participation, Tests, Quizzes, and Projects.

Mme Hoffmeyer’s schedule: Period 5 - Homebase – help/makeup work in room 210

Period 6 – Foreign Language Exploratory – Room 209

Period 7 – French – Room 210

After reading the Classroom Guidelines sheet, please sign this sheet and return.

We understand that French I is a high school level course, following the same text and covering the same material as Downers Grove North High School. The focus will be on correct pronunciation, comprehension of key vocabulary and grammatical concepts, and proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking at the beginning level. Cultural customs will also be explored. Students will work individually, as well as participate in pair or cooperative group activities. Regular class participation is expected.

We have read and plan to follow Mme Hoffmeyer’s guidelines for French I class.

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Student Date Parent/Guardian Date

FYI: All students are invited to join the Foreign Languages and Cultures Club, which meets on Mondays after school. We explore a variety of languages and customs through different activities, crafts, videos, and foods. Students also research to learn more about their own ethnic background and give a presentation/performance at our Ethnic Celebration for members and their families. We do a service project, making holiday greeting cards in different languages for nursing home residents. In the spring,club members plan and teach a French or Spanish language lesson to students at Pierce Downer school. Come join the fun!