May 27 - May 30th

Eighth Graders -
Countdown to NYS French Proficiency!

What is on the test?

Part 1A…..Informal Speaking……10 points
Part 1B…..Formal Speaking……….20 points (starting May 29st)
Part 2A….Listening questions in English….20 points
Part 2B….Listening questions in French….10 points
Part 2C….Listening answer in pictures….10 points
Part 3…..Reading……20 points
Part 4….Writing…….10 points

**You need to pass this test to get credit for French 1 (1B and 1C)**

What do I do for the formal speaking?
The Formal Speaking portion of the test consists of communication tasks to be performed by the student with the teacher. Each task deals with a simulated conversation.

What are the conversations (tasks) about?
Can we talk about anything?
The tasks are divided into FOUR categories:
v Socializing
v Providing and Getting Information
v Expressing Personal Feelings
v Persuasion

How will I be scored?
Students will receive ONE credit for each of the four “utterances” (responses) that are comprehensible and appropriate. Students can receive a total of 5 points for each category.

No credit given for:
Ø Yes/No…Oui, Non responses
Ø Restatement of all or main parts of what the teacher said
Ø Proper names used alone
Ø Socializing phrases like Bonjour, Ça va? (except in socializing task)

How can I prepare for the speaking?
o Be in class to prepare
o Listen and participate in class
o Review/study phrases and vocabulary at home
o Practice conversations with classmates/friends to prepare
o Review the “Useful Phrases Sheet”
o Be ON TIME to the testing location for Speaking portion
o Do your best

Seventh Graders -
We are still working on our Body and Clothing Unit. Last week's quiz was on the Body Vocabulary, and this week's quiz on Friday (5/30) will cover the clothing vocabulary. Use your bellwork, the powerpoint information and the packet pictures/visuals to help you study. Flashcards help too - and check out the links to the right - especially Quia and select Clothing (you don't have to pay to use this site).

May 12th - May 16th

7th Grade Scholars are beginning a new unit on Le Corps and Les Vêtements covering body vocabulary and clothing. We will use our verb AVOIR (to have) plus our masculine and feminine adjectives to describe clothing and body parts that people have (example: I have brown eyes, but she has green eyes) to show the difference in the forms of the verb avoir. Reminder that students need to continue to review at home, especially the verb forms.

We are also having a notebook check at the end of the marking period worth ONE TEST GRADE. This is an effort to encourage students to be more organized with their notebook this marking period. If students are absent, they are expected to complete the work/notebook with the necessary information. They can use the chart in class to see what needs to be added to the notebook.

8th Grade Scholars are reviewing for the Proficiency Test (see last week's information). Classes are competing to see which class will have ALL scholars in their class pass the test - to see which class will share Mr. Brundage's head! It will take reviewing and studying - but it will be worth it!

The 8th Graders' Movie Reviews (in French, of course) are on display in the hallway on the 2nd floor. It is great to see students excited about their work and showing their friends!

Several students also had the opportunity to see the movie Persepolis at the Cinema Theatre. It was a great movie (in French) based on a graphic novel about a young girl growing up in Iran during the revolution.

May 5th - 9th

Important Reminder for 8th Grade Scholars

***NYS Proficiency ***

Soon your child will be taking the grade 8 NYS Proficiency Examination in French. This test assesses what your child has learned last year and this year. Your child must score a 65% or above to receive credit and move to Level II, a tenth grade course, next year. The test sections include speaking, listening, reading and writing and are given in two parts. Speaking is one part; the listening, reading and writing sections are the second part.

Although we practice speaking/writing/listening/reading French in class, your child should review for ten minutes each night. If he/she has not yet begun to review, perhaps you can have him/her show you the work from class. You, as well as a classmate or older sibling, can review with him/her.

The individual speaking part of the exam (20% of the total test grade) will be administered at the end of May and/or early June. Your child will be scheduled for one day during school, on a one-on-one basis, to take the speaking part of the exam. Each student will be tested on four different conversations with the teacher. Please be on the look out for the dates as it is essential that your child attends school on the testing date scheduled.

The remainder of the final will be given on Monday, June 23th for grade 8. Please send the required blue or black pen with your student. It is a State Exam: “students must be present and on time.” If a student is absent from the test there is no makeup.