French IV Honors

 

Standard 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Communication: Communicate in languages other than English

Standard 2.1 Cultures: Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures

Standard 3.1, 3.2 Connections: Connect with other disciplines and acquire information

Standard 4.1, 4.2 Comparisons: Develop insight into our own language and culture

Standard 5.2 Communities: Participate in multilingual communities and global societies

 

Estimated Time Range:

August – June

 

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

 

The student will understand that:

1.

Language is a part of the culture of a nation

2.

Customs and traditions vary not only from culture to culture, but also within a culture.

3.

Improving pronunciation increases opportunities for authentic conversation

4.

Concepts and thoughts can be expressed differently in French and English.

5.

Having an understanding of the English language will facilitate the acquisition of the French language.

6.

There are structural similarities and differences between French and English.

7.

Language allows for both self-expression and communication.

8.

Meaning is expressed through context.

9.

French is not a phonetic language.

10.

Conventions of listening and speaking are different from the conventions of reading and writing in French.

11.

Reading skills and strategies differ when reading for different purposes.

 

 

SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS

Written tests, journals, dictation, question-answer opportunities, class discussions, conversations in pairs or within groups, opportunities to read selected passages and demonstrate detailed comprehension, composition, skits, role plays, simulations

Example composition assessment: The students write a narrative text following the process writing sequence completing several drafts, editing for accuracy, and publishing a final copy.  The students engage in collaborative discussions with a writing partner at each stage, support one another and provide a self-assessment of both their collaborative process and the product of their writing.  They are assessed by portfolio, which includes a rubric for each stage of the writing process.

 

 

 

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1.

How do object pronouns, relative pronouns and demonstrative pronouns function?

2.

How does the use of pronouns avoid repetition in communication?

3.

Why is it important to use the correct tenses in the spoken language?

4. 

How does the use of present indicative differ from the use of present subjunctive?

5.

What clarification strategies are available to sustain use of the target language?

6.

How do customs and culture differ between the various Franco-phone countries and the students’ own culture?

7.

How do customs and traditions vary from one franco-phone country to another?

8.

How do customs and traditions vary from one individual to another within the same cultural context?

9.

How does the knowledge of English vocabulary help in the study of French vocabulary?

10.

What vocabulary is essential to effectively communicate in a French-speaking country with native speakers of French?

11.

Of what importance is the knowledge and use of a second language to students in future chosen careers?

12.

How is communication determined by the choice of verb mood and tense in French?

13.

How do impersonal expressions in French determine verb mood in French?

14.

What are the best strategies for reading for different purposes?

15.

In what linguistic situations does one use the various grammatical structures such as: negation, comparative and superlative, possession, use of prepositions, etc?

 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

The student will be able to:

1.

Express what s/he is doing, will be doing, was doing, or would be doing in conversation or in the written language with a high level of accuracy

2.

Compare people and things using adjectives of description, nouns, and adverbs with a high level of accuracy

3.

Express the extreme qualities of people and things (superlative) with increasing automaticity

4.

Express who or what is receiving an action (using direct and indirect object pronouns) with a high level of accuracy

5.

Express thoughts, ideas, and opinions related to various content themes and topics

6.

Discuss, compare, and contrast Franco-phone culture as related to content themes and topics

7.

Refer to people or things already mentioned (using object pronouns)

8.

Use adverbs in spoken and written language with a high level of accuracy

9.

Express thoughts using a variety of negative expressions with increasing automaticity

10.

Express wishes, demands, preferences concerning oneself and others, doubt, opinions, and emotional reactions to the actions of others or to situations (present subjunctive) with increasing automaticity

11.

Infer meaning from context

12.

Apply appropriate reading strategies to different reading tasks

13.

Describe using significant detail in present, past, and future tenses

14.

Understand and communicate main ideas and significant detail in written text and in target language

15.

Pronounce to a high degree of accuracy

16.

Make requests, express needs and give and understand advice with increased automaticity

17.

Describe and compare people, places, and objects with a high degree of accuracy

18.

Request and understand clarification in target language

19.

Narrate and understand narration in present, past and future tense  with increasing accuracy

 

 

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Schmitt/Lutz.  En Voyage, Glencoe MacMillan/McGraw-Hill, 1994.

 

SUGGESTED CONNECTIONS

Foreign service careers

Teaching careers

Political science careers

Health or related fields

Tourism/Travel related careers

International business/diplomacy careers

Communications careers (translator /interpreter)

Service careers (international au pair/food service/customer service)

Bilingual municipal services

Art related careers (film/theater/television)