Dear Parents/Guardians,

            I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how happy I am to have your child in my French as a Second Language class this year.  I firmly believe that exposure to a foreign language can add so much to a child's education.  Not only does study of a foreign language give a student the obvious benefit of being able to communicate in a language other than his/her native one, but foreign language study has also been shown to increase students' cognitive and problem solving abilities as well as native language skills.

            The main emphasis in this class will be students' acquisition of skills necessary to communicate in French on a beginning level.  The primary teaching approach used in my classroom will be communicative with emphasis placed on the oral (listening and speaking) component of French.  Just as we learned our native language first by listening and speaking, so it is best to learn a foreign language in that way as well.  Writing will be an important aspect of each lesson also, but only after sufficient oral exposure and practice of the language have taken place.  Participation with a positive attitude in all activities will be essential for maximum learning to occur.

            Of equal importance to learning the linguistic aspects of French is to learn about the culture(s) of which the language is a part.  I hope to foster in my students an awareness of and appreciation for cultures other than their American one.  Such an awareness contributes to a more well-rounded education and helps students become better prepared to function as citizens of the world. 

            The final grade each six-weeks for my class will be calculated as follows:

            4-6 lesson tests, often including 1 role play

            1 homework/classwork grade (average of all grades taken)

            1 bell ringer grade

            1 binder/notes/preparation grade 

            1 Internet assignment (1 every two six-weeks)

            1 participation grade

             The following are the supplies needed for my class, to be brought to class everyday:

            1-inch 3-ring binder with pockets

            Loose-leaf paper

            Pencil and pen (black or blue ballpoint pens only)

            Workbook

            School agenda (issued by the school)

            Manila folder (to be turned in the first week of school and kept in class)

            To provide a safe and positive environment for all students where maximum learning occurs on a daily basis, some rules for appropriate classroom behavior will be set forth.  I know the students will do their best to make good choices for classroom behavior, and I will make it a point to acknowledge and reward such good behavior choices on a regular basis.  When necessary, I will also take appropriate corrective actions for poor behavior choices to ensure a productive learning environment for all students.

            My class rules are as follows:

            1. Follow directions.

            2.  Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

            3.  Use appropriate school language: no swearing, teasing, or put-downs.

            4.  No food or drink in the classroom.  Includes candy and gum.  (Exception if I give it as a treat.)

            5.  Arrive to class on time.  (Follow school's corrective actions.)

            Supportive feedback:

            Individual

            1.  Verbal recognition.

            2.  Positive notes, phone calls, behavior awards.

            3.  Extra computer time.

            4.  Classroom privileges.

            5.  Name put into drawing at end of six weeks for receiving no corrective actions beyond reminder.

            Classwide

            1.  For a class who has shown excellent behavior and who has had no negative calls home to parents, the students will be allowed to choose their seats  for the next six-weeks.

            2.  Fifteen minutes of French game time at the end of the week.

            Corrective actions:

            1.  Reminder.

            2.  Work 5 minutes away from group.

            3.  Work 10 minutes away from group, with completion of behavior journal.

            4.  Call home to parents.

            5.  Recess detention.

            6.  Sent to principal.

            Severe clause: Sent to principal.

Absence policy:

            In the case of an absence, the student is responsible for making up all work, including getting notes, finding out and turning in homework, and making up tests.  A student must have an excused absence to make up a test, and it must be done within 3 days of his or her return to school.  Tests must be made up during recess (or before or after school), as each test has a listening component that cannot be replayed during class time.  A calendar is posted near the door with a daily list of work covered during class, homework assigned for that day, and tests, to which students can refer.  The student may also ask me before or after class to clarify anything we did and/or set up a time to retake a test.

 Agenda:

            The students will be required to record all test grades and write down each day's homework assignment in their agendas.

            I ask that you please go over these rules and requirements for my class with your child and that you both sign and return the attached form stating that you have done so by Thursday August 19.  This will be the student's first homework grade for the first six-weeks.  The student will be supplied with a similar copy of these requirements to be kept in his or her binder and referred to throughout the course of my class.

            I also ask that each student have his or her 1-inch 3-ring binder with pockets, loose-leaf paper, and manila folder by Friday August 20.    This will be the student's first binder/notes/preparation check for the first six-weeks.

            To let you know a little of myself, I am from Prairieville, Louisiana, have a Bachelor of Arts in French from McNeese State University, have a diploma of specialized study in teaching language from the University of Mons-Hainaut in Belgium where I lived and studied during 2002-2003, and am currently working on my Master of Arts in teaching at McNeese.

            Again, I am very much looking forward to having your child in my French class and sharing with him/her my love for the French language this year.  If you have questions concerning your child's work or progress in my class, please feel free to contact me at school (217-3351).  Thank you in advance for your assistance and support.

                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                                                            Clarity Thoreson

Classroom goal:  To provide students with a variety of opportunities and activities to increase their communicative proficiency in spoken and written French at beginning and intermediate levels as well as to foster in them appreciation for the French language and various francophone cultures.

Web site of interest to students:  http://www.meteofrance.com/