When we arrive at Dakota Ridge...
Will we take French 1 or 2?
In theory, if you took French 1 and did well, you will take French 2 at Dakota. However, some of this may depend upon your grades and attendance in middle school, a recommendation from your middle school French teacher, whether or not you are interested in taking the IB exam and/or other factors.
In order to go in to French 2 as 9th graders...
What do we need to know and/or be able to do?
You should have a working knowledge of how to conjugate ER verbs, as well as have a good list of common ER verbs memorized (such as manger, regarder, donner, jouer, etc.).
You should also have a working knowledge of the verbs etre, avoir, aller, and faire, how to use and conjugate them.
You should be able to introduce yourself (name, age, birthday, and things you like and dislike), and know reasonably well months, days of the week, numbers through 100, and some adjectives.
Your vocabulary should include some weather expressions, family members, activities, and some foods.
You should have a reasonably good idea of how things are pronounced in French.
What are we learning here (in Jeffco middle schools) that will transfer to Dakota Ridge?
All of the World Language teachers in Jeffco work with the same curriculum document. That means, everything will transfer!
As far as things we do in class...
What are some of the units covered?
In French 2, we do units on 1) shopping and fashion, 2) household items and chores, 3) places around Paris, 4) cuisine and recipes (yes, you get to make food), 5) the morning and nightly routine, 6) hotels and travel.
How interactive is your class?
Our goal is to have some student-to-student interaction each day, in using the language. However, we don't teach our French classes with only "interpersonal" communication in mind. (Assessments are planned with conversation and/or authentic experience as the objective.)
Is there assigned seating?
Generally speaking, yes. It is important that you interact with people other than your best friends, and most teachers find that assigning seats is the easiest way to guarantee this.
Do we go on field trips?
It's definitely possible! We believe in authentic experience, and we do plan some field trips. Typically, it is a trip to the museum (for example, the current Monet exhibit at the DAM) or an opera/ballet, occasionally Moroccan or Cajun food.
Scheduling...
Is French a year-long class?
Yes, all World Language classes last one year.
Can we take a language, as well as choir?
You can take any classes you want, as long as they are not offered at the same time. Your counselor will help ensure that you are also meeting your graduation and college-readiness requirements, in addition.
Are all classes mixed, grades 9-12?
Level 1 and 2 World Language classes tend to have mostly 9th graders, a smattering of 10th graders, and then maybe one or two 11th and/or 12th graders. Underclassmen dominate the lower-level classes. Upper-level classes do not have underclassmen, unless they have come to Dakota with a lot of prior experience in the language.
What levels of language does Dakota Ridge offer?
In French, we have level 1, 1 Honors, level 2, 2 Honors, level 3, level 4, IB-I, level 5, IB-II. You will probably find yourself in a "stacked" class at some point, in French at Dakota Ridge! (Spanish and German are slightly different, as far as how their leveling works.)
Will we take French 1 or 2?
In theory, if you took French 1 and did well, you will take French 2 at Dakota. However, some of this may depend upon your grades and attendance in middle school, a recommendation from your middle school French teacher, whether or not you are interested in taking the IB exam and/or other factors.
In order to go in to French 2 as 9th graders...
What do we need to know and/or be able to do?
You should have a working knowledge of how to conjugate ER verbs, as well as have a good list of common ER verbs memorized (such as manger, regarder, donner, jouer, etc.).
You should also have a working knowledge of the verbs etre, avoir, aller, and faire, how to use and conjugate them.
You should be able to introduce yourself (name, age, birthday, and things you like and dislike), and know reasonably well months, days of the week, numbers through 100, and some adjectives.
Your vocabulary should include some weather expressions, family members, activities, and some foods.
You should have a reasonably good idea of how things are pronounced in French.
What are we learning here (in Jeffco middle schools) that will transfer to Dakota Ridge?
All of the World Language teachers in Jeffco work with the same curriculum document. That means, everything will transfer!
As far as things we do in class...
What are some of the units covered?
In French 2, we do units on 1) shopping and fashion, 2) household items and chores, 3) places around Paris, 4) cuisine and recipes (yes, you get to make food), 5) the morning and nightly routine, 6) hotels and travel.
How interactive is your class?
Our goal is to have some student-to-student interaction each day, in using the language. However, we don't teach our French classes with only "interpersonal" communication in mind. (Assessments are planned with conversation and/or authentic experience as the objective.)
Is there assigned seating?
Generally speaking, yes. It is important that you interact with people other than your best friends, and most teachers find that assigning seats is the easiest way to guarantee this.
Do we go on field trips?
It's definitely possible! We believe in authentic experience, and we do plan some field trips. Typically, it is a trip to the museum (for example, the current Monet exhibit at the DAM) or an opera/ballet, occasionally Moroccan or Cajun food.
Scheduling...
Is French a year-long class?
Yes, all World Language classes last one year.
Can we take a language, as well as choir?
You can take any classes you want, as long as they are not offered at the same time. Your counselor will help ensure that you are also meeting your graduation and college-readiness requirements, in addition.
Are all classes mixed, grades 9-12?
Level 1 and 2 World Language classes tend to have mostly 9th graders, a smattering of 10th graders, and then maybe one or two 11th and/or 12th graders. Underclassmen dominate the lower-level classes. Upper-level classes do not have underclassmen, unless they have come to Dakota with a lot of prior experience in the language.
What levels of language does Dakota Ridge offer?
In French, we have level 1, 1 Honors, level 2, 2 Honors, level 3, level 4, IB-I, level 5, IB-II. You will probably find yourself in a "stacked" class at some point, in French at Dakota Ridge! (Spanish and German are slightly different, as far as how their leveling works.)