• Bienvenue French Flag Mr. Moore Spanish Flag Bienvenidos

    Monsieur Moore

    Background

    For me, languages have always served as tools for interacting with people whose cultures may differ from my own. I studied French and Spanish at California University of Pennsylvania and West Virginia University. In addition, I received my teaching credential from the University of Pittsburgh. I began teaching in Upper St. Clair in August of 2001. I currently teach IB Spanish 4, IB Spanish 5, French 3, and Honors French 4.

    You can reach me at:
    cmoore@uscsd.k12.pa.us
    Phone: (412)833-1600 Ext 2656


    Courses Taught:

    IB French 4/ IB French 5: The purpose of both of these courses is to prepare students to take the IB Test in French, which is mandatory for students enrolled in IB French 5.  Students may be interested in taking the IB test to obtain college credit, to acquire the IB Diploma or simply for the intellectual and academic challenge.  IB French courses emphasize the development of communicative language proficiency.  It is important to know that French is the primary means of communication in these classes.  Both courses focus on speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills. These skills are practiced in a context, centered on authentic language materials, oral and written reactions to these materials, an oral proficiency based text, as well as partner/group interactions and individual/group presentations. A review of French grammar is also completed to prepare for taking French in college. Both courses are designed for intellectually curious and hard-working students.  Discussions on various topics are numerous and are the highlight of the curriculum. Writing and speaking portfolios will assist students in recognizing and valuing their own progress. These courses are designed for students who are interested in challenging courses and who will sit for the IB test in their senior year.
     
    Honors French 4 and Honors French 5: Both of these courses offer students the opportunity to improve speaking skills through communicative partner activities and class discussions on a variety of cultural topics, such as holidays, celebrations, foodways, customs, etc.  This course may be of interest to students who want to progress in the language, albeit at a slower pace than in the IB French (see above).  Also, this Honors French is suitable for students interested in possibly continuing study of French in college.  Both courses focus on speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills. These skills are practiced in context, centered on authentic language materials, as well as partner/group interactions and individual/group presentations.  French is the primary means of communication in these classes.  Both courses focus on speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills.  Students should be aware that French is the primary means of communication in the Honors French classes.  
     

    IB Spanish 4 / Pre-AP Spanish 4: These courses emphasize the development of active communicative language proficiency. The world language is the primary means of communication in this class which focuses on speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills. Fluency and accuracy are stressed. These skills are practiced in a context centered on authentic language materials, oral and written reactions to these materials, an oral proficiency based text, as well as partner/group interactions and individual/group presentations. A thorough review of Spanish grammar is also completed to prepare for college Spanish. This sequence is designed for intellectually curious and hard-working students, who, as self-starters, are expected to progress quickly and become quite proficient in a second language while still in high school. Discussions on various topics are numerous and are the highlight of the curriculum. Writing and speaking portfolios will assist students in recognizing and valuing their own progress. These courses are designed for students who are interested in challenging courses and who will sit for the AP test in their senior year.

    IB Spanish 5 / AP Spanish 5: Although this course is taught at the Higher Level, students have the option to sit for the Standard or Higher Level IB Exam. Over these two years, a thorough review of grammar is completed. In addition, this two-year course emphasizes the development of communicative language proficiency. The world language is the primary means of communication in this class which focuses on authentic language skills. These skills are practiced in a context centered on authentic language materials, oral and written reactions to these materials, an oral proficiency based text, as well as partner/ group interactions and individual/group presentations. This course is designed for the intellectually curious and hard-working student who, as a self-starter, is expected to progress quickly and become quite proficient in a second language while still in high school. The curriculum is designed so that the students consider issues of a human and global nature, such as the significance of family, the nature of culture, the environment, etc. Discussions on such topics are numerous and are the highlight of the curriculum. Students are evaluated according to both IB and USC standards. Moreover, the use of writing and speaking portfolios will assist the students in recognizing and valuing their own progress. This course is designed for students interested in the full IB Diploma Program or in a more challenging course than Honors Spanish 4 or Honors Spanish 5. An IB Individual Course Certificate will be earned after successful IB test results. Students enrolled in this course must take the IB exam at their own expense.

    French 3:  This course covers everyday topics, such as relationships, the French education system, daily routine, chores, talking about the future, etc.  Students should expect to improve their ability to talk about these common topics.  In addition, students will work on speaking and writing in the past and future time frames.  Students are expected to participate in a variety of partner activities and class discussions.  There will also be opportunities to practice writing.  This course will prepare students for success in Honors French 4 or IB French 4.

    Passport to French:  This course introduces the fundamental elements of the French language within a cultural context. Emphasis is on the development of basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Upon completing the course, students should be able to comprehend and respond with grammatical accuracy to spoken and written French as well as demonstrate cultural awareness.  This course is designed not only for students who are new to the language, but also for students who would like to review the fundamentals.


    Links for students & parents:  

    Clubs and Activities:

    In 2006 our high school entered into a partnership and exchange program with the Lycée Saint-Marc in Lyon, France. I co-sponsor the exchange program, which is officially called the French-American Cultural Exchange (F.A.C.E.).  Students from Saint-Marc stayed with families from Upper St. Clair High School in 2008, 2010, and 2012. In addition to the exchange with Saint-Marc, during the fall of 2012, our Spanish Department piloted an exchange with students from El colegio Santa María de la Hispanidad, located in Madrid, Spain.    
     

    Although my main focus is organizing linguistic and cultural exchanges, I have been sponsoring the Pokémon club since April of 2011.
    I also co-sponsor the Spectrum club, an organization dedicated to promoting tolerance and discouraging bullying among the USC student population.
Last Modified on August 23, 2017