Students begin to learn French with monthly exposure in Kindergarten that expands to twice weekly in grades one - five. We offer a content-based French Language (FLEX) exploratory program which focuses on developing oral and aural communication skills. An appreciation for francophone culture permeates the curriculum as students participate in interdisciplinary projects and cooking activities, hear guest speakers, and interact with various multimedia in the library and within the classroom. In Grade 6, students may choose to continue French or begin learning Spanish or Latin, continuing through Grade 9.
French is offered to students in grades K-9. In the fourth and fifth grade students meet twice a week for forty-five minutes. The program is exploratory in nature with a focus in proficiency based learning. Children are exposed to all countries and cultures where French is spoken. Through songs, dialog and meaningful vocabulary lessons children begin to take risks speaking the language.
In the sixth grade classes meet four times a week for forty-five minutes. Instructions and lessons are presented in the target language and English to allow students to develop a higher comprehension level. The course is designed so that students have completed half a year of level one French instruction by the end of their sixth grade year.
Highlights this year included a visit by the fourth grade to the International School of Boston (formerly the Ecole Bilinque) where students met children from Haiti, Canada, Quebec, France and Russia. The ISB is a French immersion school. The trip was designed to tie in with the fourth grade Unit on Immigration.
In March Lucie Therrien, a French Canadian artist and singer/song writer, visited Applewild for a week long workshop in Franco-American history and culture. Students learned traditional folk songs and the week culminated in a performance given by the Middle School students.
Both programs this year were possible in part by a generous grant provided by the Cadahemark Foundation.
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