6 th Grade French Class Nichols Middle School with MADAME ZAMOR

septembre Welcome! Nichols School believes strongly in learning a second language. Nichols School believes strongly in learning a second language. –Students develop critical thinking skills. –Students begin to think in complex ways. –Students are asked to explore different cultures and perspectives developing their skills in empathy and understanding. (NOT weird. Different.) Students are going to learn how to: Students are going to learn how to: –read French –write in French –hear French –understand French –speak French

septembre This is the beginning of French 1 This program reflects the guidelines for most high school French 1 programs. I have tailored it for middle school. This program reflects the guidelines for most high school French 1 programs. I have tailored it for middle school. Students will take French (and have me) in 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade in the Middle School. Students will take French (and have me) in 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade in the Middle School. They will continue in the Upper School and can complete their language requirements: They will continue in the Upper School and can complete their language requirements: –9 th grade French 2 –10 th grade French 3 French 4, AP French and French 5 are optional in junior and senior year. French 4, AP French and French 5 are optional in junior and senior year. Because of the 5 th grade program, our students have been known to add another language at the end of their sophomore year. Because of the 5 th grade program, our students have been known to add another language at the end of their sophomore year. –Chinese, Latin, Spanish

septembre Important Tools Required materials: Required materials: –Vocabulaire progréssif du français pour les adolescents by Sylvie Schmitt (Clé International, Paris) –Larousse Student English- French Dictionary –Allons-y, Mary Glasgow Publications, Scholastic (Subscription)

septembre Important Tools Students need daily: Students need daily: –a pen or pencil –highlighter marker –Binders remain in class. –A steady collection of index cards should be in their locker. In class, students will work with my powerpoint flashcards. –They may bring their cards to class to practice with classmates, or they may leave them at home to practice there.

septembre Rules for class Respect Respect Trustworthiness Trustworthiness Responsibility Responsibility Collaborate to produce good work Collaborate to produce good work

septembre Grades will be based on homework (practice flashcards every night) homework (practice flashcards every night) completed workbook pages completed workbook pages quizzes quizzes compositions compositions blog posts blog posts revisions revisions group work group work trimester exams (November, February, June) trimester exams (November, February, June)

septembre Vocabulary – Go for mastery There are 1,100+ in the vocabulary book. There are 1,100+ in the vocabulary book. Students try to master French vocabulary. Students try to master French vocabulary. Lots of work with flashcards and daily practice Lots of work with flashcards and daily practice Students must study words from English to French. This is in keeping with the Upper School methods. Students must study words from English to French. This is in keeping with the Upper School methods. There is no such thing as I can’t. A Nichols student can memorize, but everyone does so at their own pace. Some may have to study more than others. This is normal as we are all different. There is no such thing as I can’t. A Nichols student can memorize, but everyone does so at their own pace. Some may have to study more than others. This is normal as we are all different. Students are responsible for this. Students are responsible for this. They will find great frustration with this course if they do not master the vocabulary They will find great frustration with this course if they do not master the vocabulary

septembre Master French vocabulary Study flashcards we make each night. Study flashcards we make each night. –15 to 30 minutes. Study from English to French. Study from English to French. Students have practiced this method in class. Students have practiced this method in class.

septembre Pay attention to word order Notice the way sentences are formed in French! Notice the way sentences are formed in French! Look at the order of the words (parts of speech). Look at the order of the words (parts of speech). Write new examples to practice grammar. Write new examples to practice grammar.

septembre Les Pirates à l’abordage! (Pirates aboard!) Learn French with a theme. Learn French with a theme. Students will use vocabulary from workbooks to answer each question. Students will use vocabulary from workbooks to answer each question.

septembre Let’s ask an essential question. What is pirate culture? What is pirate culture? We look at culture by observing and answering the following questions: We look at culture by observing and answering the following questions:

septembre Who are pirates? Who are pirates? How would you describe them (him/her)? How would you describe them (him/her)? Where does he/she come from? Where does he/she come from? Where do they live? Where do they live?

septembre What language do they speak? What language do they speak? How do they dress? How do they dress? What do they buy? What do they buy? How do they live (what kind of building do they live in)? How do they live (what kind of building do they live in)? What is pirate culture? Quelle est la culture des pirates?

septembre What do they do? What do they do? What do they eat? What do they eat? How would you describe their family? How would you describe their family? What do they have? What do they have? What do they like? What do they like?

septembre What don’t they like? What don’t they like? What can they do? What can they do? What do they want? What do they want? What is the culture of a fairytale or legend?

septembre Movies 1. Movies are shown with curricular objectives in mind. 2. Movies are viewed in French with English subtitles. 3. In order to observe pirate culture, we will watch the following movies: –Dora’s Pirate Adventure –La légende du Sinbad et les sept mers –Pirates des Caraïbes: La légende de la Perle noire –Pirates des Caraïbes: Le secret du coffre maudit –Pirates des Caraïbes: Jusqu’au bout du monde

septembre Final Words If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via at or by phone at If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via at or by phone at