French Upper Level
Year at a Glance
Theme 1: Social Issues
Civic Responsibility and Engagement
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Elicit an exchange and discussion on participation in community activities.
- Maintain a discussion related to topics such as education, travel, and involvement in today's society.
- Discuss topics related to adulthood.
- Debate what makes one a responsible citizen.
- Discuss personal rights and responsibilities of young adults.
- Discuss a citizen's responsibility to vote and be informed politically.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand written and oral materials on the role of the young adult in his or her community.
- Understand spoken or written information given by community organizations, schools and the media.
- Comprehend written and oral materials on young adults' involvement in politics.
- Comprehend literature pertaining to one's civic responsibility to be informed and aware of issues such as politics, the environment, and social issues.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Communicate oral and written information pertaining to community involvement.
- Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on civic responsibilities upon reaching adulthood.
- Produce and present original presentations highlighting one's community responsibility and civic rights.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Compare and contrast young adults' civic responsibilities in the U.S. and in francophone countries.
- Examine civic responsibility after age 18 in francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects such as civics, government, and social sciences.
- Make connections with one's civic responsibilities and community involvement.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast the U.S. government to governments in francophone countries.
- Compare policies and practices regarding voting and civic and personal responsibilities in francophone countries.
- Compare and contrast business transactions in the U.S. and in francophone countries.
- Compare and contrast linguistic conventions in English and French when discussing an individual's personal and civic responsibilities.
Communication Across Communities
- Investigate voting practices and civic responsibilities in francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to community involvement and civic responsibilities
- Expressions of preference, agreement and disagreement
Diversity, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion related to diversity.
- Discuss and/or debate prejudice and discrimination.
- Express and explain reactions to prejudice and discrimination.
- Express opinions and react to issues concerning human rights.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Comprehend and analyze written and oral materials on diversity and discrimination.
- Read and comprehend materials on prejudice in all societies.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce oral and written reports on prejudice and discrimination throughout history.
- Produce an activity showing prejudice and discrimination and discuss possible solutions.
- Produce an oral or written presentation reflecting current trends and/or attitudes in society related to diversity.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore traditional attitudes when reacting to diversity and discrimination in the U.S. as well as in francophone countries.
- Explore bias in reporting human rights issues.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include humanities, social sciences, history and government.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards discrimination in the criminal justice system.
- Compare the French use of the subjunctive and conditional moods with English when discussing opinion.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources in French to broaden understanding of prejudice and discrimination.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to political and social systems
- Vocabulary related to geography and contemporary issues
- Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
- Use of conditional and subjunctive mood
Historical and Present Conflict
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Discuss past and present conflicts including causes, resolutions, and impact on the world (e.g. World War I, WWII, war in Iraq, etc.).
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand current and historical texts relating to world conflict.
- Understand spoken presentations about world conflict, including news broadcasts, speeches and interviews.
- Oral and Written Presentation
- Express differing points of view and opinions about world conflict.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Identify the sources of conflict within francophone cultures, such as language, religion, tradition, colonialism, etc.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Relate knowledge of world conflict from social studies classes to knowledge gained in French class.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare prevailing opinions in the United States regarding world conflicts with those in francophone countries.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate information about world conflict in French-language resources.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to diplomacy, geography, and nationality
- Vocabulary related to opinions
- Past, present, and future tenses
- Subjunctive and conditional moods
Crime and Justice
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion related to a crime or mystery story.
- Discuss the judicial system in francophone countries.
- Express and explain reactions to crime and the judicial system.
- Debate criminal cases.
- Express opinions about the effectiveness of various laws.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify relevant information or legal issues when listening to newscasts.
- Identify pertinent evidence when reading mystery stories.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Write and present a report on the judicial system in francophone countries.
- Produce oral and/or written book report in French on a mystery.
- Produce and present an original mystery.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore attitudes when reacting to today's criminal justice system in the U.S. as well as in francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include social sciences, literature, biology and government.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards the criminal justice system.
- Compare the French use of past tenses with English when reading literature and current events.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources in French to broaden understanding of the criminal justice system in francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to political systems
- Vocabulary related to legal systems
- Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
- Use of past tenses and the passive voice
Theme 2: Globalization and Communication
Current Events
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Debate issues concerning current events.
- Express and exchange reactions to current events.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify pertinent information when listening to newscasts or reading selections.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce oral and written reports and articles on current events.
- Develop and explain opinions and reactions to current news events.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore traditional attitudes when reacting to current events.
- Explore differences in reporting current events.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include social sciences, history, government and science.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and francophone countries towards world events.
- Recognize borrowed words and cognates from news articles and TV broadcasts in both languages.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources in French to broaden understanding of current events.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to political systems
- Vocabulary related to geography and contemporary issues
- Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Politics
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Participate in sustained conversation and/or debate about past and present political events.
- Debate merits of political candidates.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Read newspaper and magazine articles related to political events.
- Comprehend news broadcasts about political matters.
- Comprehend written and oral materials on elections.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce spoken or written presentations on varied political views.
- Give a detailed summary and/or critique of an article or news broadcast about politics.
- Produce spoken and/or written presentations on the various political parties in francophone countries.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Examine the influence of history on the political systems of francophone countries to include monarchies, democracies, dictatorships, etc.
- Explore the influence different political systems have had on cultural aspects of francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Relate knowledge of politics gained in government or social studies classes to information learned in French class.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare the political systems in the U.S. and francophone countries.
- Compare the world view of the U.S. to world views of francophone countries (international law, conflicts, economic issues, etc.).
- Identify cognates and French terms related to politics.
Communication Across Communities
- Access information on the Internet about political issues and events in francophone countries.
- Investigate the various voting policies in francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to the legal system
- Vocabulary related to rights and responsibilities
- Vocabulary related to government, political parties, and elections
- Vocabulary related to economic issues
- Expressions used in negotiations
Technology
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Discuss the evolution of technology.
- Discuss the applications of technology in contemporary society.
- Describe how technology has influenced our society.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Comprehend oral and written information about the use of technology throughout history.
- Explore and understand the history of evolution of technology in today's society.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe how technology has created as well as solved problems in our society.
- Give a detailed summary and/or critique of an article or news broadcast about technology.
- Produce spoken or written presentations supporting the use of technology in our community.
- Use various technological techniques in a presentation to examine the use of technology in our community.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss attitudes towards technology in education and the workplace.
- Examine and discuss how technology has changed social interactions in today's society.
- Compare and contrast historical achievements without the use of modern technology.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss how technology is used in other disciplines, such as math, science, the humanities and vocational studies.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Increase awareness of the use of technology in francophone countries.
- Identify cognates and other vocabulary related to technology.
Communication Across Communities
- Access information on the Internet about the evolution of technology.
- Use technology in the production of commercials, plays, recordings, menus, etc.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to technology
The Media
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion related to the media.
- Discuss the media's influence on current events.
- Discuss the impact of the media's presentation of current events.
- Analyze and discuss presentational techniques of the media.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify pertinent information when listening to newscasts or reading selections from print news sources or the Internet.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce an oral or written report on the positive and/or negative influence of the media.
- Develop and explain opinions and reactions to the media.
- Produce spoken and/or written presentations on the variety of ways in which the media can be used to slant the news.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore authentic media sources and discuss cultural attitudes when reacting to the media.
- Explore differences in media reporting.
- Explore how media presentations reflect cultural attitudes.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Identify and/or demonstrate a connection to various school subjects to include psychology, history, humanities, government and biology.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast reporting techniques of the American media with those of francophone countries.
- Compare the French use of the imperfect tense, passs composs and passive voice with English when discussing current events.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources in French to broaden understanding of the media.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to the media, past and present
- Vocabulary related to contemporary issues
- Expressions of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Theme 3: Culture
Visual and Performing Arts
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Express and elicit opinions pertaining to theatre, music, dance, the visual arts, and films.
- Express and elicit opinions concerning francophone artists and their work.
- Analyze information pertaining to the arts.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Comprehend the basic themes and historical and cultural contexts of French works of art.
- Explore and understand the history and evolution of various forms of French artistic expression.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce and explain opinions and reactions to visual and performing arts from various time periods.
- Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on people in the arts.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss how a particular work of art reflects the culture of a specific francophone country.
- Explore how music, art, theatre, dance, and films are influenced by historical and political events.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various subjects to include music, art, and the humanities.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and discuss different approaches to artistic productions observed in francophone countries and in the U.S.
- Compare the French use of the imperfect tense, passs composs, and passive voice with English when discussing the visual and performing arts.
Communication Across Communities
- Compare popular films, stories and actors in francophone countries and the U.S.
- Study and compare the value placed on the arts in francophone countries versus the U.S.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to the visual and performing arts
Historical Events
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion pertaining to major political events in francophone countries.
- Discuss the cause and effect that wars have had on francophone countries.
- Discuss and analyze the various leaders in the history of francophone countries.
- Discuss the success and failures of a variety of past regimes in francophone countries.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify and analyze pertinent information when reading materials pertaining to world history.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on historical events in francophone countries.
- Perform an oral or written activity related to political leaders of francophone countries.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Examine racial and class differences within francophone societies.
- Investigate ideological differences of China, past and present.
- Explore current attitudes among the youth in francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects including history, government, and political science.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards historical events.
- Compare the use of past tenses in French and English when discussing past events.
- Compare and contrast social structures, economies, and political regimes of various francophone countries.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources in French to broaden understanding of the various political systems and historical events of francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to historical events and politics
- Expression of conviction, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
Literature
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion pertaining to literature in francophone countries.
- Discuss and critique major authors of francophone countries and their works.
- Discuss and analyze the various literary genres in literature from francophone countries.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify and analyze pertinent information when reading literature.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce well-organized spoken and written presentations on writers from various time periods.
- Recite poetry from francophone writers.
- Perform a play written by a francophone author.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore how literature is influenced by historical and political events.
- Analyze how literature reflects cultural attitudes of francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects including the humanities and social sciences.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards literature.
- Compare the use of past tenses in French and English when discussing literature and past events.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources to deepen understanding of French literature from francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Literary terminology
- Vocabulary related to historical events
Theme 4: Nature and Ecology
Environmental Issues and Problems
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Brainstorm different environmental issues and discuss ecological concerns.
- Identify environmental issues.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Comprehend informational materials pertaining to environmental issues.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Present problems and propose solutions to environmental issues.
- Produce and present well-organized spoken or written presentations on environmental issues and problems.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Compare and contrast environmental issues in the U.S. and in francophone countries.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Relate environmental information gained in French class to information learned in other classes such as science and the humanities.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast the ecological laws of the U.S. with those of francophone countries.
- Identify cognates that relate to environmental concerns and practices of various francophone countries.
Communication Across Communities
- Investigate environmental concerns and practices of various francophone countries.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Environmental and ecological vocabulary
- Subjunctive mood
- Expressions related to giving opinions
Wildlife Conservation
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Participate in a sustained exchange about wildlife, its impact on the environment, and issues concerning endangered species.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand information on wildlife conservation from a variety of sources, such as TV, news, magazines, newspapers and the Internet.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe situations in a francophone country where wildlife conservation is currently being debated, giving details on specific fauna or wildlife, its habitat, and its importance to the environment.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Examine the importance of protecting endangered species as part of the traditions and culture of a particular francophone country.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Share information learned about wildlife conservation in another class (e.g. biology).
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and share information from French sources on endangered species.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to wildlife conservation
- Expressions used in formulating hypotheses
- Terms and expressions used in oral debates or persuasive essays
Theme 5: Scientific and Creative Advancements
Health Issues and Disease Prevention
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Participate in a sustained conversation about health issues such as nutrition, exercise, and maintaining good health.
- Analyze information pertaining to science and medicine.
- Discuss the major health in our society.
- Discuss diseases of the last two decades (e.g. AIDS, Monkey Pox, SARS).
- Explain causes and prevention of a variety of diseases.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand spoken and written information on health issues and disease prevention from a variety of sources such as short stories, TV, newspapers, magazines and the Internet.
- Understand and analyze current research on a variety of diseases.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe problems related to substance abuse, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and poor sleeping habits.
- Explain causes and prevention of a variety of diseases.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore attitudes towards socialized medicine, comparing and contrasting the health care programs in francophone countries and the U.S.
- Examine health issues and diseases as related to the lifestyles of francophone people.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Use knowledge of disease prevention and nutrition acquired in health classes.
- Use information gained in social studies classes to discuss the political implications of disease and health issues in francophone countries.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards health issues.
- Explore the emphasis on sports and exercise in francophone countries.
- Compare and contrast eating habits in francophone countries and in the U.S.
- Compare the French use of the imperfect tense, passé composé, subjunctive mood, and passive voice with English when reading materials on health issues and medical discoveries.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources to broaden understanding of scientific contributions to the field of disease prevention.
- Locate and use community resources and/or the Internet to broaden understanding of health-related issues and disease prevention.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to scientific and medical technology
- Expressions of conviction, doubt, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
- Use of the subjunctive mood and passive voice
Scientists and Mathematicians
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Maintain a discussion pertaining to scientists and mathematicians.
- Discuss inventions in science.
- Discuss scientific contributions from francophone countries.
- Discuss or debate the application of scientific research in medicine.
- Analyze information pertaining to science and medicine.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify and analyze scientific research and inventions.
- Identify diseases, illnesses, and cures in oral and written materials.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Present well-organized spoken and written presentations on scientists, mathematicians, and medicine.
- Research and report on advancements in medicine to include curable and incurable diseases.
- Perform an activity about a scientist or mathematician from a francophone country.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Explore attitudes when reacting to scientific discoveries.
- Explore attitudes towards socialized medicine, comparing and contrasting the health care programs in francophone countries and the U.S.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Recognize a connection to various school subjects to include science, mathematicians, and social sciences.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards science and mathematics.
- Explore the emphasis on mathematics and science in schools in francophone countries.
- Compare the French use of past tenses and passive voice with English when reading scientific materials.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use authentic resources to broaden understanding of scientific and mathematical contributions.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to scientific and mathematical terminology
- Expressions of conviction, doubt, opinions, and agreement or disagreement
- Use of the subjunctive mood and passive voice