Fandom High School

French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 18:56:29 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

Booker's students had received an email, with a text message as backup.

Please stay in the dorms and take your language final online sometime before Sunday. Thank you. Stay safe.

-Booker

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:10:41 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

"Today we're going on a field trip," Booker announced to the class. "We're going to experience an typical French cafe, where one can get a pastry and coffee that wasn't made with eggnog." Booker didn't even like eggnog.

Don't worry if you hadn't had a shower that morning. Neither had Booker. He was sure it would be fine.

"You can also explore the neighborhood of Montmartre." He understood it was popular with tourists these days, so hopefully there would be fewer prostitutes than the last time he'd been there. Then again, maybe not. It was Paris. "Quickly now, through the portal. I need coffee."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:31:57 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

Had Booker gone on a bender and forgotten to put even minimal effort into his class planning for the day? You couldn't prove it!...except for how he was wearing sunglasses inside and everything was set up for a movie.

At least he had remembered it was Friday.

"Today we will be watching...not a French film," he admitted. "It is, however, a film set in France, in a vague fantasy version of the eighteenth century, and based on a French fairy tale." That's right, it was Beauty & the Beast. Not the new one, of course. "Enjoy the film."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:25:20 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

The class had been asked to meet in the Danger Shop today. "I was going to take you on a field trip, but in November, where I wanted us to go isn't that impressive," Booker said. "So let's try this." He pushed a button, and the class would find themselves standing in the middle of a garden in full bloom. "Welcome to Giverny, France," Booker said. "More specifically, the home of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, which was the subject of many of his paintings. You can tour the house and the gardens, and if you're familiar with Monet's work, you may recognize a lot of it. If you're not, it's still a beautiful place. Have fun."

Fun fact: Booker was almost certain he had a Monet somewhere, but he couldn't remember where he'd put it.

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 14:56:09 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

"I understand that there is a carnival going on, so I'm not going to keep you long," Booker said. "I just wanted to take this opportunity to check in. How do you think you are doing so far? Have you adjusted to how we don't pronounce half of the letters yet? Did you get the opportunity to use your French any last week? Talk to me."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 15:46:13 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

"Good news," Booker said as the students assembled at the foot of the causeway today. "I finally figured out how to book portals, so we're going on a field trip!" Don't worry, he'd made sure it was to a reality without a plague. "We will be visiting the Musee d'Orsay. Only slightly less famous than the Louvre, the museum is housed in a former railway station and contains mostly French art. So it's perfect for us. Please enjoy the museum, and I'm giving you homework. I want everyone to write a short essay on their favorite piece they see today. Now let's hurry along, we haven't got all day."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 16:15:33 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

"I know you're all excited and/or nervous about your parents coming," Booker told the kids, "but we still have class. So today will be a study session. I won't have anyone trying to do lessons on their phone, that's just setting yourself up for failure with that tiny screen, so if you didn't bring your computer, you can go back to your room and get it, but be quick about it. While you study, you may have..." he whipped a towel off a tray from J, GoB. "A croissant. We have plain, chocolate, and almond. You may determine for yourself which one is superior. My favorite is the almond," he admitted cheerfully. "If you need any help with anything, or you don't understand something in your lessons, please let me know."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:13:01 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

Today there was a large box from Jeff, God of Biscuits' sitting on Booker's desk. "In recent years," Booker said to the class, "there has been something of a fad for a French sandwich cookie known as the macaron. Made from meringue and ground almonds, it is not to be mistaken for the macaroon, which is made with meringue and coconut--although as you might guess from the similar names and ingredients lists, they do share a common culinary ancestry. The macaron as we know it is actually a somewhat modern invention; until the early part of the twentieth century they were served as single cookies. The filling is a newfangled thing." Well, it was newfangled if you were born in the eighteenth century. "Also, fun fact, macarons were originally Italian." He'd heard all about it from Nicky. "They were introduced to France by Catherine de Medici, who married King Henry II.

"I thought about having you make macarons, but it's actually a bit tricky, and eating them is so much more fun, anyway. We have a ~~handwavey~~ assortment of flavors for you to try, so please, let me know what your favorites are. And let's talk about this. Why do you think the macaron is so popular? What is its appeal, besides 'cookie?' France has produced many different cookies, why is this one all the rage?"

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:31:10 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

Booker dropped a very thick book onto his desk from a few inches up. It landed with a thud. "I don't know if you read the sign-up form or whatever you have here very closely," he said, "but this is not just a language class. It is also a literature class, which means you're going to have to read some things." He looked at the paper brick sitting on his desk and said, "Not that, though. Just kidding with that. Honestly no one needs to know that much about Paris's sewers. It is, however, a very good book, so I'm issuing a challenge: anyone who reads the book and writes a--what's a good length? A ten page paper on one of its themes by the end of the semester will get extra credit for the class. I'll forge you an AP certification." A beat. "Kidding again!" Or was he?

"Anyway. Today we will be reading a short story by Guy de Maupassant, "The Necklace." It's known for its twist ending, and for being a bit of a morality tale. Please read the story, and then we will discuss it."

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French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:52:15 GMT

Posted by: doesntstophurting

Great news! Your teacher wasn't homeless anymore! Not that you had been worrying about that, except possibly some of you had, because Booker recognized at least one of these kids from the airport.

"Good afternoon," Booker said to his students. He looked clean and reasonably sober. Five stars. "This is French class. It is the only French class this school offers, so I am going to assume that some of you are at differing levels of proficiency. Luckily, it's a small class, so individualized instruction shouldn't be a problem. For the most part, grammar and vocabulary instruction will be done by computer, at your own pace. If you have any problems ~~handwavily~~ setting up your account, if you have any questions about any of the exercises, or if you don't know what a computer is, please see me after class or on Tuesday when I'll be holding office hours.

"I am Mr. Booker, and I will be your teacher for this semester. If you're wondering about my qualifications..." He shrugged and grinned. "Je suis Français." You might notice that 'Booker' was not a French name. No, he would not be explaining that. "Now, I would like to know what I am dealing with, so please introduce yourselves, tell me how much experience you have with French already, and something you hope to get out of this class. If you can, you are welcome to do so in French, although keep in mind some of your classmates may not understand you yet."

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French Study Group, Monday Afternoon

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:31:00 GMT

Posted by: icecoldfrost

Sookie was looking quite a bit better than she'd been feeling, though she was sitting on a desk rather than standing as she usually did, and she lacked some of her normal perkiness. "Bonjour, mes amis," she greeted, waving. "Given the change in weather as we approach winter here, much as I protest, we figured we'd give you a way to complain about the rain and snow and all." Though Sookie could think of one person she knew who wouldn't be complaining one bit about the change in weather, and in fact would probably celebrate. Whatever, he didn't speak French, so ha.

He was also hideously biased on the subject, if you asked Emma.

"We've got your standard vocabulary sheets," Emma agreed. "See if you can figure out what Il fait un froid de canard means."

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:29:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

French class met in the Danger Shop today, which had been programmed to resemble a rather down-at-the-heels speakeasy. Three old ladies playing instruments made out of household debris were on-stage, filling the air with unusual jazz.

"Welcome to your last class," Henry said in a raised voice. "I thought about giving a test, but it's about 500 degrees outside. Chill out in here, watch the music, flirt with the patrons if you're up to it. Your entertainment today is the famous Triplettes de Belleville."

"If you feel like going after grades," he added to any suck-ups int he room, "there's some quiet space over by the kitchen. You can write a brief paper on what you learned this term -- either an essay, or a script, or a piece of poetry. Or .. be creative. And enjoy the music."

It was amazing what you could do with a vacuum cleaner.

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:38:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

The students who arrived early today would find no sign of their teacher. Nor would the students who arrived right on time, or even those who crept in five minutes late.

But, eventually -- about 15 minutes into the hour -- Henry raced in the door, wearing a misbuttoned shirt a size too big and with a long smudge of mud along one cheek.

It was better the class not ask.

"Sorry about that," he tossed off. "We're talking about emergencies today, and I had one, lucky me."

Again ... better not to ask.

He passed out several handouts, briefly lecturing on their content. Then he smiled at the class. "For your assignment today, I'd like for you to pair up. One of you is in an assigned emergency, the other is helping you. Then reverse the situation."

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:56:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

French class met around a large, circular table in the Danger Shop today, which had been programmed to resemble a bustling French bistro. Henry had to shout a little bit to be heard over the background noise.

//Welcome to the Bistrot du Coin//, he said. He'd decided this was the week he'd speak French for the entire class. //This is modeled after a real restaurant in Washington. I hope you're a little hungry even though this is a weird time for a meal, because your assignment this week is to order something off the restaurant's menu. Here's a vocabulary sheet for the day; the ~~moddable~~ waiter will be by in a few minutes. I'm getting the Confit de Canard, for what it's worth.//

//Make polite conversation while you eat, please.//

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:38:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

Henry wheeled a TV set to the front of the classroom as the students arrived. "It feels like a movie day today," he mused. "Doesn't it? We're watching La Fortune Merveilleuse d'Emilie Roulain. It's kind of a magical-realist thing about a shy girl who decides to play fairy godmother to the people around her."

Clare loved the movie; Henry went by what she said.

"I'm going to leave the subtitles off, but if you feel like you desperately need them, let me know and I'll turn 'em on."

A few moments of fumbling with the remote, and the movie began to roll. Henry retreated to a spot at the side of the classroom, keeping half an eye on the screen.

[OOC: I have a huge project due at work today, so y'all get movie week a week early. Whee.]

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 25 May 2010 09:39:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

By the time he got to the classroom, Henry was dressed fairly normally and had washed his face and hands.

He counted all of this as an accomplishment.

"We're talking about shopping for clothes today," he said. "I could spend the hour talking about the history of haute couture -- here, have a handout -- but that strikes me as a pretty boring way to spend a day." A beat, during which Henry could practically hear his friend Gomez laughing at him. "We're playing dress-up instead."

He passed out a vocabulary sheet, and gestured to a stack of French fashion magazines he'd requisitioned from the library.

"Spend as long as you want looking through these, then put together an outfit from the racks of clothes at the back of the room. Talk to each other in French about what you're picking out."

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 18 May 2010 10:10:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

Class had been directed to meet in the danger shop today, and the shop itself was set up to resemble the main hall of a large, contemporary train station.

"Bonjour," Henry said once the group was assembled, shouting a bit to be heard over the noise of trains and NPC bustle. "Welcome to the Gare Saint Lazare. Here, have a vocabulary sheet. Your goal today is to find out a few things -- you want to find the next train to Le Havre and buy a ticket for it, and you want to find out where the nearest Métro station is and how to get there. The room's been programmed so the simulated people will only speak French at you, but they will speak slowly and repeat themselves until you get it." Unlike real people in an urban train station anywhere, but this was only the second week of class.

"Once you've done that -- get a snack, get a magazine, people-watch. I'm here if you need me."

And then he sank onto a bench from which he could keep an eye on all six students.

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Functional French, Tuesday, Period 2

Tue, 11 May 2010 09:15:00 GMT

Posted by: one-who-goes.livejournal.com

Henry had planned a straightforward first week of classes. Bonjour, ca va, je m'appelle..., all of that.

What he had not planned on was the big pug-bear-yak thing that was firmly in the middle of the classroom when Henry got there, wearing a beret and a scarf and looking like he was about to order brie on a croissant.

He was, of course, the anticipated Alot of bad French grammar.

Henry made a few attempts to shoo it out the door. The creature didn't move, and finally Henry gave up and stepped forward, hands in his pockets.

"Hi," he said. "Bonjour. Salut. I am Henry DeTamble, call me Henry or Mr. DeTamble or 'hey, library guy,' whatever works. Welcome to Functional French, which is my attempt at teaching a language class at this school, you lucky, lucky people. Here is the syllabus, and here is your textbook for the term."

"I'm not going to ask you to speak a lot of French this week" -- the creature perked up at its name, but looked disappointed that Henry had not summoned a friend for it -- "but I'd like for you to start by introducing yourselves in this format: 'Bonjour, je m'appelle Henri' -- or whatever your names actually are, and bonus points if you say it with a French pronunciation -- and your answer to the question Ca va, which is 'how are you doing.' You might just say 'ca va' back at me, to indicate everything is fine, or 'ca va bien,' -- I am doing well -- or 'pas mal' -- not bad. I'd also like to hear, en Anglais, if you've ever studied French or another language before and how good you think you are."

He gestured randomly into the group. "Commence."

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French 101, Period 5, Final [4-24]

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:13:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

Jean-Paul sat behind his desk, playing with a Rubik's Cube at high speed. "This was going to be in the Danger Shop, but I forgot to tell you all that, so congratulations, plan B. Your finals are on your desk. No talking. No telepathy. Something about how you've been a wonderful class goes here. Begin."

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French 101, Period 5, Class 12 [4-17]

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:51:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

"Today," Jean-Paul announced, "We will be watching a film. Do not worry, there are subtitles. Try to pick out as many actual French words as you can. Beyond that, do not forget to study for your exam next week." Then he hit play and kicked back with a bowl of popcorn. He was helpful like that.

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French 101, Period 5, Class 11 [4-10]

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:27:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

On each student's desk today was a standard French phrasebook. "I am now," Jean-Paul announced, "going to trust in your good sense. I fully expect this experiment to backfire on us all, of course, but we will see." He held up one of the phrasebooks. "Your assignment for this week is to study any part of the language contained in this book we have not covered in class so far, that you feel might be useful if you were, say, suddenly dropped on a street corner in Montreal. I am, as always, available to answer any questions you might have."

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French 101, Period 5, Class 10 [3-27]

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:57:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

"I have nothing," Jean-Paul announced to the class, "So today, we watch a movie. A movie ste in France. I have little hope for its educational value, but at the least iti s entertaining. Your assignment for next week is to write a short essay on the myriad historical inaccuracies of Red Windmill!" And then he hit play and sat back to watch the movie himself.

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French 101, Period 5, Class 9 [3-20]

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:37:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

Jean-Paul was sitting at his desk glaring at his laptop with a vaguely 'wtf are they getting up to up there?' expression on his face. When the students arrived he said, distractedly, "Bonjour. There are ~~handwavey~~ handouts of French ~~Canadian~~ swears on your desk. You did not get them from me. Enjoy."

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French 101, Period 5, Class 8 [3-13]

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:46:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

"As I believe I said at the beginning of this term, I am a native speaker of French, though I am not from France. How can this be?" Jean-Paul asked. "The answer is quite simple: I am Quebecois. We speak French. In Louisiana, in the United States, there are also some people who speak French as their first language; these are Cajuns. I would happily provide you with examples of the differences between our dialects, but they are largely in the swear words, and that is next week's class. French is also spoken in parts of Africa and, well, anywhere France previously had a colony." Jean-Paul went on to lecture on the differences in culture in these places.

"My question for you today is: given the choice between poutine, gumbo, and a croque-monsieur, which would you choose and why?"

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French 101, Period 5, Class 7 [3-6]

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:07:00 GMT

Posted by: notanactualfairy

Jean-Paul was sitting behind the desk, his feet up on his desk, reading a magazine in French when the students arrived. "Your midterms are on your desk," he said without looking up. "Do not cheat."

Jean-Paul was not exactly the world's most enthusiastic teacher sometimes.

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