Monday, 15 September 2014

French Update (Tr. Amina)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014      
                                                                                   
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!
                                                                                                                                            
Dear Parents,

My name is Madame Amina Ould-brahim and I am your child French this year. I have been at Abraar School since 2008 and each First Day of School is a new exciting day for me and this year is no exception.
I am looking forward to a very successful year, Insha’a Allah, and I know you are too. I have high expectations for your child and I will do all what I can to help him / her to meet these expectations, Insha’a Allah!

Here is how you can help. I will be expecting all work assigned in class to be completed. Of course, all children do not work at the same pace. Some children will get their work done in class and some will not. Whether or not your child gets his or her work done in class has no effect on their grade. If your child does not complete an assignment in class, he or she will be required to complete it at home. The way you can help is to ask your child every school day if any schoolwork needs to be done, and if so, make sure your child completes the assignment.
Class rules and rewards/consequences
During French class, we have set the following rules in order to promote and maintain a safe learning environment.

Rules during French class: 
My goal is to do the best I can in everything.
1.       I respect myself and others.
2.       I keep my hands and my feet to myself.
3.       I raise my hand and wait for permission to talk.
Rewards: To encourage good behaviour, students are rewarded according to the class reward system.
Once students accumulate enough vocabulary, a reward system will be implemented for speaking French in French class.
Consequences: To allow opportunities for behaviour improvement, we follow the discipline manual system throughout one week:
1.       First occurrence, student gets a warning.
2.       Second occurrence, student writes  a reflection sheet
3.       Third occurrence, contact to parents. ( reflection sheet sent home for signature and returned to me signed for student to join the class)







 
 Students are allowed to talk in French during French class with their friends except during instruction time. No whispering is allowed throughout the whole period.
Supplies
Students are also expected to have the following supplies:
Supplies:
·         One (2) pockets folder.
·         Two notebooks
·         Pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler.
 
 
French Curriculum:

In the New Ontario Core French curriculum, the expectations are organized into 4 strands corresponding to the 4 main areas of language use. These strands are listening speaking, reading and writing.
The difference with the previous curriculum is that oral communication is split into listening and speaking and weights 50% in the curriculum instead of 33%.
Aim language approach helps students to:
1-      Be able to communicate in authentic situation and to develop spontaneous oral communication through repetition of the vocabulary.
2-      To learn word-meaning relationships through gesture without relying on English translation.
3-      To connect emotionally to the content of their French as a Second Language course through familiar stories.
4-       To develop an awareness of language conventions (syntax and grammar) through gesture.
Please check the following websites for more details.
During September, we will focus on oral communication to enrich and to review our vocabulary so students can interact in class discussions in French and we will review some grammar concepts.
Homework:
This year, Insha’a Allah, students will have:
1.      One spelling test each month.
2.      Reading a book and completing a book report each other month.
3.      Grammar worksheet based on the lesson covered.
Class work is expected to be completed in class and on time. However, because students do not work at the same pace, any uncompleted class work must be finished at home. If for any reason, it is not done; students are given a last chance to finish it during recess time.
You may help me in checking your child’s agenda and the class blog on a daily basis to encourage him/her to do the homework regularly as your child has only one long recess where he/she can enjoy the fresh air and play with his/her friend.
As I am going to emphasize that only French is spoken during French class for all grades, students may find it challenging at the beginning but Insha’a Allah, as they will acquire more vocabulary, they will gain confidence in using it spontaneously in class and outside the class. 
The French Long range Plan will be posted in your child class ‘blog as soon as it becomes available.
The success of this program cannot be achieved without your cooperation and your support. You may help by staying involved in your child’s education and emphasizing for him/her the importance of speaking only French in French class. Engage your child in conversation about his/her French class while understanding that students are not always able to articulate their experiences.
Finally, I want you to know that one of my most important goals this year is to keep the lines of communication open with you Insha’a Allah. To keep you updated, I will post French News in the class’ blog. I will also send you a note in your child agenda or an email or call you whenever there is very important information to be shared.

 Should you have any questions or concerns during the year, please feel free to contact me by:

 Sending a note in your child‘s agenda, or Calling the school at: 613- 226 - 1396, or
Sending an email.

Jazakum Allah Kheiran for your cooperation and your support.

Dr.Amina Ould-brahim,
French teacher and Science Coordinator
Abraar School: Islamic Education for the Next Generation
Secondary Campus: 1085 Grenon Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 8L7 | ph.613-820-0044 | fx.613-820-1495
Elementary Campus: 70 Fieldrow Street, Ottawa, ON K2G 2Y7 | ph.613-226-1396 | fx. 613-226-2745
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