Online Enrichment and Review French IV

When we met four years ago, I never thought that I would one day be teaching you guys online.  While this system is not perfect and there will be many bumps along the way, this is how we will continue our online enrichment and review for French IV.  Some of your classmates still haven’t signed up for our Google Classroom, and I ask you to help me get the message out. 

Looking back at your French careers, I hope you realize that we’ve learned a lot.  There isn’t a vocabulary theme or a grammar topic that we haven’t touched.  To end our French days together, we will focus on communication—writing, speaking, presenting, and interacting in French.  I do not expect your responses to be perfect.  In life, no one is perfect, and it takes an effort to communicate with others. We will practice our French and communicate together.  Whether or not you use French after graduation is a choice you’ll have to make.  However, I can assure you that you all have the knowledge and skill to communicate in the French language.  In the future, when someone asks if you speak a second language, proudly say “oui” and shoot your shot. 

I plan on having 3 tasks and 3 Zoom sessions each week of our online enrichment and review. 

During each week, I will assign three tasks on Google Classroom.
1^st Task:  Answer question #1 in French.  Reply to the response of a classmate in French.  If you’d like, reply to multiple responses.  I’m looking to create some type of French discussion with this question.      
2^nd Task:  Complete an activity.  Sometimes this activity will be to watch a short video clip, to listen to a song, or to view an image and then to give an opinion or make an observation in French.  Reply to the response of a classmate in French.  If you’d like, reply to multiple responses.  I’m looking to create some type of French discussion with this activity.
3^rd Task:  Record yourself speaking in French about a topic/prompt (30-60 seconds) and then send to me.  Just like during the year, this spoken assignment should not be scripted.  Think about the topic/prompt and then start speaking.

During each week, I will hold 3 short sessions on Zoom.  Each session is not expected to last more than 20 minutes, but gives us a chance to speak to each other, check on each other, and practice our French.  We will talk about life, use some of the time for Fronly conversation, and maybe do a little show and tell or Anything Goes. 

I’m looking at French IV Zoom sessions to occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:00.  Please let me know if that time of day conflicts with any of your other responsibilities.  While some people are still signing up for Google Classroom and getting back into “school mode,” we won’t have our 1^st Zoom meeting until Wednesday, April 1^st.  In order to attend our Zoom meetings, you will have to click on a link and enter a password.  I will post the link and password on Google Classroom the morning of each Zoom session.  You DO NOT need to download Zoom or register for Zoom to enter the session.  Once you do enter, please use your French name as your identifier.  During our first session, we will talk about how Zoom will work, and I’m sure you’ll have many ideas for me and improvement. 

These tasks and Zoom sessions are not meant to stress you out.  In school, I want my class to be a breath of fresh air and a time where you can relax, de-stress, and be yourself.  I’m hoping this will continue in our online class.  For now, nothing is graded.  Do your best, show some effort, and remember, I will always take care of you. 

Remember, this is new for all of us, but in challenging times we rely on family.  I consider you to be my family, and I will be there for you.  Whatever you need, let me know.  I’m hoping these small assignments and online sessions together will bring some normalcy back to your life.  These last two weeks have been scary, and we all need to get back to normal.  Don’t forget, there’s a crazy guy who has been changed by your class and who is waiting to see you again and ask if you want to talk about it. 

Stay healthy, be honest, and talk to me.  I’ll see you in Zoom.

Lucas 

APFLAC:

For our online enrichment and review, we will be practicing for the AP French exam.  During the week, I will provide you with five tasks to prepare you for the exam.  I have heard that the AP exam will be shorter, and once I learn which types of questions will appear on the exam, I will let you know.  In the meantime, we will practice some multiple choice questions and communicating to get you ready.  In addition to the five weekly tasks, we will have 3 Zoom sessions.  I would like to meet with you as an AP group in Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 (AP only) and on Fridays at 12 (with French IV).  French IV will have Zoom sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12.  You’re welcome to join these sessions, if you would like.  The 3 tasks that are on Google Classroom for French IV are optional for you.  You do not have to do them.  If you would like to contribute to the discussion questions, go ahead, as they are a good way to practice writing for the exam.  I will e-mail you your 5 weekly tasks at the beginning of each week.

I am in awe of your French knowledge and dedication to this class.  You know everything there is to know.  Now, we just have to sharpen your skills and give you some hints on how to pass the exam and earn college credit.  You have what it takes.  I have confidence in you…have some confidence in yourself.  You’ve got this!