Theme 1: Rights and Responsibilities

Driving

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to car maintenance needs.
• Ask for and give detailed directions for highway travel.
• Debate whether or not one is ready to drive responsibly.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend written and oral directions and read maps.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Explain what qualities are needed for responsible driving.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Examine the influence of cultural attitudes on the driving habits and licensing requirements in francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast driving and licensing requirements in the U.S. to those of francophone countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Use authentic resources from the print media and the Internet to access information related to cars and driving.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to asking for and giving directions
• Expressions used at the service station
• Conduire
• Imperative
• Expressions of impatience and reassurance

 

Chores

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and give a detailed description of household chores and responsibilities.
• Participate in sustained conversation about household chores and responsibilities.
• Exchange information about chores in various time frames (past, present, future).

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend instructions related to household chores and responsibilities such as labels, advertisements, and instructions on products.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce detailed spoken and/or written presentations about household chores and responsibilities of various family members.
• Produce and present situations that highlight one's personal responsibilities.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Explore traditional attitudes towards household responsibilities in various francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons, and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Make connections with responsibilities in other classroom situations, such as cleaning up in art or cooking class and putting away equipment in science and physical education.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast household responsibilities of U.S. teenagers with teenagers' responsibilities in francophone countries.
• Compare the French use of reflexive verbs with the English use of to get, to become, and to be to express feelings.

Communication Across Communities

• Access information about household responsibilities via the Internet or print media.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Irregular verbs faire, mettre, and sortir
• Present subjunctive
• Vocabulary of personal responsibilities
• Imperative

Theme 2: Future Plans and Choices

Education Plans

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Discuss educational plans, giving details such as course of study and long-range goals.
• Participate in sustained exchanges on educational plans in relation to future career goals.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand information published by universities or study-abroad programs in francophone countries, such as brochures, letters, catalogues, and web sites.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Write or speak about educational opportunities after high school, giving details about courses of study and long-range goals.
• Produce and present situations which highlight future educational plans and long-range goals.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the university systems in francophone countries.
• Discuss job training and apprenticeship programs in francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify connections between the study of French and career opportunities in other disciplines (math, science, technology, business, marketing, etc.).
• Explain how the continued study of French improves verbal skills, abilities, and academic performance.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast post-secondary education systems in the U.S. and in francophone countries, including the importance and value of a college degree, testing programs leading to college, admission to schools and career paths to follow based on programs studied.

Communication Across Communities

• Access information about opportunities for post-secondary study abroad programs, using such resources as the school's career center, public library, and the Internet.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Future tense
• Vocabulary related to secondary school and college

 

Careers and Jobs

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions on preferences and plans concerning job or career choices.
• Ask for and give information regarding job or career choices.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend information related to finding a job, such as classified ads, applications, and interview questions.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Give details and/or inquire about job opportunities and career paths.
• Present material related to careers and jobs, such as culturally-authentic stories, poems and skits.
• Present job descriptions and qualifications.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss attitudes towards work and workplace policies and practices in francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify uses of French in various professional fields.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare attitudes towards work and workplace policies and practices in francophone countries with those in the U.S.
• Compare formulaic expressions used in English and in French in formal business letters.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and share information on the use of French in various professions, workplaces or businesses.
• Locate and discuss information found on the Internet or in print media about job opportunities in francophone countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary relating to professions, personal background, and the workplace
• Vocabulary for writing a formal letter
• Vocabulary for expressing indecision
• Vocabulary for requesting information
• Vocabulary for relating intentions
• Vocabulary for giving advice

Theme 3: Teen Culture

Fashion and Clothes

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Exchange ideas about clothing preferences and personal style, giving details such as patterns, fabrics, and fit.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend spoken and written information on clothing and personal style presented in advertisements, articles, or Internet sites.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe clothing, and fashion styles, both present day and from another time period.
• Produce and written presentations on the influence of fashion on teen culture.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss modern and traditional dress in francophone countries.
• Discuss attitudes towards fashion and traditional dress from various cultures in francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Make connections between types of clothing worn in geographic locations in the U.S. and francophone countries.
• Relate knowledge of fashion and clothing issues to information learned in classes such as history, economics and marketing.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast typical clothing in the U.S. and in francophone countries.
• Identify French clothing and fashion terms used in English and vice-versa.
• Compare and contrast attitudes toward fashion in the U.S. and in francophone countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Acquire information on traditional dress from an authentic source (an individual, Internet site, or article).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to clothing and a detailed description of clothing, to include specifics of color, pattern and style
• Interrogative and demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
• Causative faire
• Verb plaire à
• Vocabulary for expressing interest, disinterest, and indifference
• Vocabulary for paying and responding to compliments

 

Entertainment

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Express and elicit opinions about TV and radio programs and movies.
• Express and elicit opinions about music and performers.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand TV and movie schedules, reviews, and summaries from francophone countries.
• Comprehend the basic themes and some lyrics of songs from francophone countries.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Give a detailed summary or critique of a TV program, movie, or musical performance.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss how the culture of francophone countries is reflected in their movies, TV programs, and music.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Compare and contrast film and TV industries and viewing habits in the U.S. and francophone countries.
• Compare popular styles of music and trends in francophone countries and the U.S.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast patterns of teen behavior and recreational pastimes in francophone countries with those of teens in the United States.
• Identify words related to leisure time activities that are derived from the same root in English and French.

Communication Across Communities

• View French language films and TV programs to expand world language skills and cultural knowledge.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for entertainment (TV, movies, and music)
• Vocabulary for expressing opinions and preferences
• Vocabulary for making recommendations
• Negatives

 

Sports and Extreme Sports

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to sports, extreme sports, and athletic activities.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend pertinent details when reading or listening to sports reports in the media.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Summarize and communicate main ideas and supporting details about sports events, using appropriate time frames.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Investigate popular sports and Olympic participation in francophone countries, as well as factors influencing athletics, such as history, geography, and culture.
• Investigate the origins of the modern Olympic Games.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify French sports terms used in English and vice versa, such as touché, plié, le base-ball, le golf, and le jogging.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast attitudes towards sports and extreme sports in the U.S. and in francophone countries.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and use information on sports from authentic sources, such as the Internet, TV, radio, and francophone newspapers.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the broad range of sports, including extreme sports and equipment
• Expressions needed to discuss sports participation (jouer à, faire de)
• Geographical names and expressions

Theme 4: The Environment

Nature and Wildlife

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Participate in a sustained exchange about plant and animal life and natural resources in francophone countries.
• Listening and Reading for Understanding
• Understand information on nature and wildlife from a variety of sources, such as TV, news, atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Describe the animal life in a francophone country, giving details about characteristics, habitat, and status (i.e., endangered or not).

Oral and Written Presentation

• Examine the importance of indigenous wildlife to a particular French-speaking country or region.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Examine the importance of indigenous wildlife to a particular French-speaking country or region.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Share information learned about endangered species in another class (e.g., biology).

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and share information from francophone sources on endangered species.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for plants and animals found in francophone countries
• Conditional sentences
• Future tense
• Expressions for cautioning and reassuring

 

Ecology

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Participate in a sustained conversation about environmental and ecological issues such as pollution, recycling, acid rain, and the destruction of rain forests.
• Ask and give information about environmental and ecological concerns.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend spoken and written information on environmental and ecological issues as presented in the media.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Communicate problems about and solutions to environmental and ecological issues.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Explain practices related to environmental and ecological issues in francophone countries.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Relate knowledge of environmental and ecological issues gained in science, social studies and health classes to information learned in French class.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare environmental practices among various world cultures.
• Identify cognates related to ecological issues.

Communication Across Communities

• Access information on the Internet and environmental and ecological issues in francophone countries.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the environment
• Vocabulary related to cities and development (traffic, etc.)
• Expressions relating to giving opinions, including impersonal expressions

Theme 5: Humanities

Current Events

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions concerning current events.
• Express and exchange reactions to current events.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify main ideas and pertinent details when reading or listening to newscasts or reading selections from written news sources.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Communicate main ideas and supporting details orally and in writing when presenting a current event.
• Produce and explain opinions and reactions to current news events.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss how the viewpoints of people from francophone countries are reflected in their news broadcasts and publications.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Relate knowledge of current events gained in social sciences, history, government, and science classes to information learned in French class.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards world events.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and use authentic resources (TV news programs, Internet, newspapers, and magazines) to broaden understanding of current events.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the mass media (e.g., article, editorial, broadcast)
• Vocabulary needed to identify the roles of important people in the French-speaking world, such as political leaders and celebrities
• Verb tenses required for narrating and commenting on current events

 

The Arts

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Express and elicit opinions and preferences about a francophone composer, performer, artist, or writer and his or her style.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand main ideas and pertinent details presented in oral and written descriptions or critiques of music, art or literature (e.g., teacher or student presentations, taped museum tours, videos, and publications).

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce oral and written reports on artists (e.g., composers, painters, writers, musicians, etc.).
• Produce and explain opinions and reactions to music, art, and literature.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the influence of historical events and political and social climate on the arts and vice versa (e.g., music as a reflection of the times and its use to spread ideas).

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Relate knowledge of the fine arts and the humanities to information gained in French class.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare artistic styles and movements and the value placed on art in francophone countries and the U.S.
• Compare musical, artistic, and literary styles and movements and the value placed on them in francophone countries and the U. S.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and use art resources in the community and/or the Internet to broaden understanding of the arts.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the theater, museums, art exhibits, and geography
• Vocabulary for describing and expressing preferences and admiration
• Il s'agit de
• Vocabulary related to periods and styles
• Passé simple