Primary and Lower School French
On s'amuse bien dans la classe de francais . . . meaning that, we have fun in French class! Most classes are a combination of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The focus for kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 is listening and speaking, while grades 3 and 4 also add reading and writing.
Students learn various words, phrases and expressions that they internalize over time. They also learn phrases and expressions that are useful in la vie quotidienne (daily life). The emphasis on building vocabulary is to help achieve the goal of getting the child to actually use French both in and out of the classroom.
In the classroom, there are partner activities and cooperative learning activities. Games are an excellent way of reinforcing what is being studied, and the children have fun while they learn. Other activities include dialogues, TPR (total physical response), communicative exercises, writing games with dry erase boards, and one of their favorites called the Gouin Series. In the Gouin Series the children act out a sequence of actions about a given subject, such as going to the boulangerie. While they act out the sequence, they speak in French about what they are doing. The children also enjoy doing such projects as their family tree, and the French fashion show.
Taking risks with the target language is highly encouraged. Since students learn in a warm and caring environment, they feel more confident about taking chances with the language. Most importantly the children feel good about actually being able to understand and communicate in French!
Fifth Grade French and Sixth Grade - French & Spanish
French in fifth grade emphasizes the development of listening and speaking as well as developing reading and writing skills. Exercises and drills enhance comprehension, correct pronunciation and usage. The students broaden their knowledge of concepts and vocabulary introduced in earlier grades. Much of the classes are conducted in French. The textbooks used in both fifth and sixth grades, French Is Fun and Spanish is Fun provide the basis for skill development in reading, writing, speaking and understanding.
Seventh and Eighth grades - French & Spanish
In seventh and eighth grades French and Spanish students begin learning in a more formalized way with the goal of completing the equivalent of French I or Spanish I. There is heavy emphasis on grammar and vocabulary as well as more conversational French and Spanish for everyday situations. Visual, oral and aural stimuli are used to further the students' knowledge of French and Spanish. The texts used in both seventh and eighth grades, Allez, Viens! and Ven Conmigo! present vocabulary and grammar in both written and visual forms. Vocabulary and grammar are reinforced by oral and written exercises, quizzes and tests. The classes are conducted in French or Spanish as much as possible.
