NLW French - Classroom News
Information for Mme G.'s French Students - Grades 6, 7, & 8
Websites and Resources
World of the Wolves - Weebly Site
PERSONAL DEVICE RESPONSIBLE USE GUIDELINES.
Please read our guidelines about the use of personal digital devices at school.
Email: tina_giannopoulos@wrdsb.on.ca
Website: http://timberwolffrench.wikispaces.com
Location: 500 Northlake Drive, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Phone: 519-885-1115
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tina.giannopoulos.7
Twitter: @nlwtimberwolves
Extra Help
Get help right away if you...
• have been or will be absent
• are having difficulty with a concept or skill
• want some extra time to complete homework
• need extra review before a test
Come for one-to-one assistance or bring a friend. No appointment is needed.
ALL ABOUT CORE FRENCH AT NORTHLAKE WOODS
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
• a sharpened pencil (for all written work) and a good eraser
• Cahier Noir (black "keeper" book)
• planner - to record homework and important notes
• highlighter(s) (a study tool/visual aid for instructions)
• a committed “work ethic”
OPTIONAL MATERIALS
• pencil crayons (as needed for projects)
• French/Eng. dictionary (a limited supply will be available for classroom use)
• a memory stick or digital device ie. iPod/iPad
EVALUATION
Each unit of study will relate to a specific French learning goal. Students should be able to articulate the goal for each unit as well as the "success criteria" or elements required to be successful.
Daily assessment in the three academic strands as well as the learning skills may include participation, effort and attitude, aural and written tests, quizzes, projects, oral presentations or dialogues, oral reading, reading comprehension, or
co-operative group work.
This is a time for the teacher to provide one-to-one assistance in the classroom, not to supervise behavioural issues. Students are expected to choose one of the following activities in order to make productive use of everyone’s class time:
• read a French book, dialogue, text, web page, etc.
• study verbs or vocabulary using flashcards, mini whiteboards, or other tools
• catch up on any incomplete French work
• review grammar topics
• write a French blog
• study for upcoming French tests
• practise for oral presentations
• organize your notebook
• make up a study sheet
• add detail to assignments
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and classroom environment.
• Respect the resources and equipment in the classroom. Be sure to return all materials to their proper places after using them (ie. dictionaries, textbooks, folders, class library books, reference materials, etc.) and treat items gently.
• Listen carefully and wait your turn to speak. Do not interrupt others or blurt out comments.
• Wipe your desk after both nutrition breaks and make sure garbage is disposed of appropriately.
• Do not leave anything in the desks, especially notes, flyers and letters that should go home.
• Work quietly and respectfully during class time to allow everyone to get their work done and to access help from the teacher.
• Plan to use the washroom or get a drink during the nutrition breaks or before or after school. This will minimize learning interruptions.
• Be prepared for class each day with all the required materials. Plan for each block during the breaks.
• Tuck in your chair, straighten your desk and check for leftover materials before leaving the classroom. Don't forget to check the floor around your desk too.
Remember - we share the classroom space so we must use our BEST MANNERS and COMMON SENSE while we are at school.
PRACTISE TO MAKE IT EASIER!
HOMEWORK
HOMEWORK: In a Core French program, vocabulary acquisition is always a challenge. Therefore, ten minutes each night during the week, spent particularly on verbs & vocabulary, is recommended.
HOMEwork is usually work not completed during class time. When work is consistently incomplete, the students miss valuable practice, affecting skill acquisition and development. Students are expected to practise written exercises during class time referring to notes, examples, models, and instructions. They must take ownership for their learning by working co-operatively with others to complete tasks and asking questions for clarification when needed. Copies of written exercises and answer sheets will be posted on the French wiki for extra home practice. A detailed reference book (“Keeper book”) has been carefully put together since Gr. 4 and should be consulted each time there is homework.
French activities are completed during class time with opportunities to ask questions both of peers and the teacher. During this practice time, students must ensure that they are listening carefully, staying on task, and practising with numerous repetitions.
PROJECTS: Projects are expected on the due date given. Check for this date in the planner. Ample class time is always given with opportunities to ask questions and have work checked.
ABSENCE: When classes are missed, students are responsible for catching up. Help is available from the teacher, a homework partner, or our school website (http://nlw.wrdsb.on.ca). Click on the Staff Directory, and follow the T. Giannopoulos link to my website. Here you will find a link to my French wiki as well as many other useful links and resources.
Communication: will take place through the student planner. Notes regarding progress or behavioural issues will be stamped or written here. Your signature beside these notes indicates that the issue has been discussed. When the student has made poor choices, a detention after school may be the result. Your support in the optimum use of the planner ensures that you are well-aware of progress before reports.
Upon return and correction, assessed materials (tests, quizzes, assignments) will be placed in the student’s French folder at school and the mark will be recorded at the back of the planner. (Ask your child to show you the special section used for test results and please check regularly.) If you would like to see the actual test, please write a note in the planner and I will send the folder home. (Folders will be sent home near the end of each term so that parents are well-informed about progress before report cards.)
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.