Spanish/French, taught by Mrs. Bills, Mrs. Devenpeck and Ms. Griffin

French and Spanish 8 are designed to expand upon and refine the basic skills learned in the introductory course. The objective of the course is to further develop communicative proficiency in the language through the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grammar and culture are also essential components of the course. The text and workbook we are using in French are Discovering French Bleu Part B and in Spanish, ¡Buen Viaje 1B!

The vocabulary we are responsible for this year includes health, feelings and doctor visits, weather, seasons and seasonal activities, foods and restaurants, travel by train and airplane, personal care and daily routine, cultural activities, and dating customs. Direct and indirect object pronouns, the past tense of regular and irregular verbs, progressive verb tenses, and reflexive verbs are among the new grammatical structures that we will work with this year.

In our classes we will suggest a variety of techniques for learning vocabulary and verbs. We encourage our students to try different approaches to determine what works best for them.

We encourage our students to use the target language as much as possible both at home and in our classes. The more your child uses the language the more comfortable he or she will become with the language.

Requirements

French and Spanish 8 meet every day for the entire year. Students must arrive at class on time, prepared with necessary materials (text, notebook, workbook, pen, paper, agenda book and homework). Homework is regularly assigned, checked and reviewed. If your student is absent, he or she should call the homework hotline or ask a classmate to find out what assignment was missed.

Expectations

Students are expected to treat all in the class with respect, to participate, and to do their best.

Grading 

Grading is based on homework, participation, quizzes and tests. Projects and presentations will also be factored in as test grades.

Second Language Proficiency Exam

All 8th grade students will take either the French or Spanish New York State Second Language Proficiency Examination (SLP) in their LOTE (Language Other Than English) area. When planning summer vacation, please note that the 2007 LOTE Proficiency Exam has been scheduled for the last week of school in June.

The testing schedule is as follows:

Speaking part: February 2007 until five days prior to the date of the written examination
Listening, Reading, Writing parts: June, 2007 during Regents Testing Week

Upon successful completion of the 8th grade course and the SLP (passing grade 65%), students will earn one Regents credit. This one Regents credit satisfies the minimum LOTE graduation requirement for a Regents Diploma.

Following the Comprehensive Regents Examination, in language level 3, students may enroll in advanced LOTE courses. The advanced courses offer simultaneous enrollment in the University in The High School Program of the University at Albany. Students may earn both local credit and transferable university credits in the advanced courses.

Help!

If you or your child have any questions or concerns please contact us as soon as they arise so that we can work to resolve them. We are looking forward to a positive and a productive school year.

Contact the teachers

Mrs. Bills – Voice mail 765-3314, ext. 368
Mrs. Devenpeck – Voice mail 765-3314, ext. 331
Ms. Griffin – Voice mail 765-3314, ext. 329