Welcome to Mme. Olsen’s French 1 class Block 7

My background I have been living in Leesburg since 2003 and teaching foreign languages since 2007. This year, I will be teaching French 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AP French at LCHS. Prior to teaching in Loudoun, I taught in Fairfax and was a proposal manager for a telecommunications firm. I have spent many years living abroad in Africa, East and Western Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. BA from Penn State MS from Johns Hopkins University

Resources are located on VISION PowerPoints, study guides, assignments and resources are posted on Mme. Olsen’s French 1 VISION page. Your student has already been enrolled and we have confirmed access.

Let’s take a look at the French 1 VISION page. It’s useful because: Students can access and read through lesson plans, handouts and ppts BEFORE class. (If your student is struggling in French: remind them that reading through the material before class will help.) Students can review ppts and answer keys after class. Students will be submitting work on-line and will be able to view my comments. Students can look back and review materials months after we’ve cover that topic. (Lost papers are no longer and issue :)

FRENCH 1 CURRICULUM MAIN TOPICS TOPIC 1: Travel, Numbers, Alphabet, Accents, Greetings, Introductions Terms for greetings, farewells, and introductions Expressions of courtesy French alphabet and accents Gender of nouns Articles (definite and indefinite)

FRENCH 1 CURRICULUM MAIN TOPICS TOPIC 2: physical descriptions and personality, characteristics, feelings, and emotions; objects around the classroom   Terms to identify people Classroom objects Rules for silent letters France’s multicultural society Subject pronouns The present tense of être C’est vs. il/elle est Adjective agreement Some descriptive adjectives Adjectives for nationality

FRENCH 1 CURRICULUM MAIN TOPICS TOPIC 3: Education: classes and schedules   Terms for academic subjects How to express likes and dislikes French high schools and the Canadian immersion system Present tense of regular –er verbs Spelling changes in –cer and –ger verbs Asking questions Expressing negation

Learning Expectations Upon completion of French 1, students will be expected to be able to do the following in French: Understand the basics Participate in a conversation Respond to an e-mail Write a short essay

How do I find out what/how my child is doing in French class? Ask him/her PHOENIX Summative assessments are posted on PHOENIX at least 2 classes before quiz day. Grades are posted within 10 working days. (Essays may take a little longer.) VISION Access to grammar ppts, vocabulary lists and other documentation. E-mail Mme. Olsen @ Katia.Olsen@lcps.org

Grading and Assessment Practices Formative: will have a 0% weight in grade calculation. Formative assessments help teacher, student and parents gauge readiness for summative assessments. Some examples are warm-ups & closing tasks, project rough drafts and homework. Summative: will have a 100% weight in grade calculation. Expect 9 summative grades per quarter (weighted equally – each assignment will be worth about 1/9 of the quarter grade) with several formative assignments leading up to the summative work.

Useful information No pop quizzes or tests, therefore no retakes. All quizzes and test will be announced 2 classes in advance, in class and on Mme. Olsen’s VISION website. If absent, please check VISION and PHOENIX. Sub Packets: This packet was handed out on the first day of class. Students are to bring it to class every day. They may use their phone (or tablet/laptop) to access this document if they forgot it at home. Extra help: See Mme. Olsen for extra help during Raider Rally or during French Tutoring from 4 to 5pm on Tuesdays in Rm 124. Parents with a background in French: Please e-mail me if you are interested in presenting to the class.

Mme. Olsen’s Schedule Block 1 French 4 Block 2 French 2/3 Block 3 5/AP French Block 4 Planning Block 5 French 3 Block 6 Raider Rally Block 7 French 1 Block 8 Planning

Merci Thank you for trusting me with your child’s education. My goal in teaching French is to further develop each student’s ability to express him(or her)self in an articulate and intelligent manner. Contact Information: Please contact me by e-mail as needed at Katia.Olsen@lcps.org. Be sure to include a phone number if you would like me to call you back. Those calls will take place during Blocks 4 & 8.