Bienvenue au printemps! Welcome spring! This month, the kindergarten will start to develop their communication skills by asking and answering questions about their names and how they are feeling. They will also begin learning the French alphabet and a few new songs. We will also review and combine previously learned material to help expand our conversations.
The first grade will finish up with animals (name, color, size and habitat) and will then begin to learn and prepare a presentation about hats which we hope to share at Grandparent's Day. It will involve learning a little about several different themes and rhyming. Due to this special event, I have decided to push off doing conversational question and answer until a bit later in the month.
The second grade will finish creating and presenting their mini restaurant skits. Our next theme will be a tie-in with the science curriculum: BUGS!
In the third grade, I made a change about their mini presentations and have now decided that they will put together a small play instead. This will demonstrate how much they have learned and how well they can communicate with each other. Once completed, we hope to share it with others and to celebrate their hard work with a crepe party.
Students in grades two and three will continue to learn and practice French letter sounds in an effort to improve their reading, spelling and pronunciation skills. They will also be periodically working with our new ActivBoard to both practice listening comprehension as well as experience French computer programs and websites.
Parents are reminded that within the French room, there are materials that students may check out for up to one week. These include books, videos, Vtech computer toys, music, book and cassette/Cd combinations, and Leappad books and cartridges. Please be sure to remind your child to return these materials in a timely fashion, as there are other students who are waiting to explore these items as well.
Be on the lookout for more Scholastic Canada book order forms (the next one is due Monday, April 14th) as well. Music CDs and CDroms, when available, are some of the best way to get your child used to hearing the language and will help them learn new vocabulary.
There are several age appropriate (both fun and easy to navigate) Internet sites to learn and reinforce French. If you would like their addresses, please contact me.
In the fourth grade we have begun a new reader. A French book called "Méthode de Lecture Syllabique". After just one class and six pages of letter sounds, the students were able to read a French story with ease and very natural pronunciation. This is a book that young students in France would use.
In fifth grade we are memorizing about fifty regular and irregular verbs. This will prepare us for playing "Lotto" the French game of Bingo. The students are excited at the prospect of playing the game! They are a little less excited about memorizing the verbs! I have assured them that there are many cognates in the list...! Bon Travail!
Liz Blake
Heather Leger