In this circle-time style beginning French class, students will be immersed in the French language through stuffed animals, stories, drawing, modeling dough, movement, songs, and lots of repetition. This class is for beginners, but it is taught in French using pictures, props, repetition, and other comprehension strategies.*

*I do use English to verify name pronunciations, to explain to students that I will be speaking in French so they might not know the words I'm saying, and to clarify instructions, but I want them to watch and repeat when they can. I may also switch to English if I need to help a student, redirect, or otherwise make sure we have a smooth class.


CLASS STRUCTURE

Each week, we will start with greetings. Students will practice saying hello and answering the question “How are you?” in French. I will guide students in telling us their names each week by speaking to them one by one and having them repeat after me. 

After greetings, students will be introduced to the vocabulary through pictures, storytelling, and/or our stuffed animals.  Students will practice by using lots of repetition speaking the words and acting things out to help them absorb the vocabulary. I will also work in discussions about colors, numbers, and the alphabet.

Then, we will complete an art-based activity on the topic. We will rotate between drawing and modeling dough, and I will complete the activity along with the students. I will narrate what I'm doing, as well as let students share and comment on their work. Students are able to share in English if needed. 

Finally, students will have a short show and tell that relates to our theme. They are able to bring anything that they can show on the screen (as long as it's classroom appropriate). They can tell us a little about it, and I'll have them repeat a few related words in French as well.


SCHEDULE FALL 2024

Week of 8/18 - Colors
Greetings
Explore colors
Color a rainbow
Show and tell: your favorite color

Week of 8/25 - Numbers
Greetings
Explore counting from 1-10
Make modeling dough numbers
Show and tell: anything you want!

Week of 9/1 - Alphabet
Greetings
Explore alphabet
Write our names
Show and tell: something that begins with a letter you like

Week of 9/8 - Autumn
Greetings
Explore autumn
Make modeling dough creatures
Show and tell: your favorite things about autumn

Week of 9/15 - Shapes
Greetings
Explore shapes
Draw shapes
Show and tell: your favorite shape

Week of 9/22 - Weather
Greetings
Explore weather
Make modeling dough clouds and rain
Show and tell: your favorite weather

Week of 9/29 - Movement
Greetings
Explore movement
Draw ourselves
Show and tell: your favorite way to move

Week of 10/5 - Pretending
Greetings
Explore pretending
Make modeling dough characters
Show and tell: your favorite costume/dress up

Week of 10/13 - Vehicles
Greetings
Explore vehicles
Draw vehicles
Show and tell: your favorite vehicle

Week of 10/20 - Outer Space
Greetings
Explore outer space
Make a modeling dough space scene
Show and tell: your favorite thing about space

Week of 10/27 - Family
Greetings
Explore family
Draw our families
Show and tell: what do you like to do with your family?

Week of 11/3 - Bugs
Greetings
Explore bugs
Make modeling dough bugs
Show and tell: your favorite bug

Week of 11/10 - Zoo
Greetings
Explore the Zoo
Draw zoo animals
Show and tell: what's your favorite zoo animal?

No class week of 11/17

Week of 11/24 - Pizza
Greetings
Explore pizza
Make modeling dough pizza
Show and tell: what is a food you like?


Week of 12/1 - Winter
Greetings
Explore winter
Draw a winter scene
Show and tell: your favorite thing about winter

Week of 12/8 - Doctor
Greetings
Explore the doctor's office
Make modeling dough people
Show and tell: your favorite way to help people


SCHEDULE SPRING 2025

Week of 1/5 - Opposites
Greetings
Explore opposites
Draw some opposites
Show and tell: bring anything you like this week!

Week of 1/12 - Fruit
Greetings
Explore fruit
Make modeling dough fruit
Show and tell: what's your favorite fruit?

Week of 1/19 - Pets
Greetings
Explore pets
Draw pets
Show and tell: what's your favorite pet?

Week of 1/26 - Feelings
Greetings
Explore feelings
Make modeling dough faces
Show and tell: what makes you happy?

Week of 2/2 - Friends
Greetings
Explore friends
Draw our friends
Show and tell: what do you like to do with your friends?

Week of 2/9 - Clothes
Greetings
Explore clothes
Make modeling dough clothes
Show and tell: what's your favorite outfit/costume?

Week of 2/16 - Farm
Greetings
Explore the farm
Draw farm animals
Show and tell: what's your favorite farm animal?

Week of 2/23 - Earth
Greetings
Explore the Earth
Make a modeling dough Earth
Show and tell: what's your favorite part of nature?

Week of 3/2 - Birds
Greetings
Explore birds
Draw birds
Show and tell: what's your favorite bird?


Week of 3/9 - Home
Greetings
Explore my home
Make a modeling dough home
Show and tell: what's your favorite thing in your house?

Week of 3/16 - Butterflies
Greetings
Explore butterflies
Draw the caterpillar-to-butterfly cycle
Show and tell: what's your favorite bug?

Week of 3/23 - Moms
Greetings
Explore moms
Paint a card for a mom, grandma, aunt, sister, etc.
Show and tell: what do you like to do with your family?

Week of 3/30 - Spring
Greetings
Explore spring
Draw spring
Show and tell: what's your favorite part of spring?

Week of 4/6 - Plants
Greetings
Explore plants
Draw plants
Show and tell: what's your favorite plant?

Week of 4/13 - Beach
Greetings
Explore beaches
Make a modeling dough beach
Show and tell: what's your favorite thing to do at the beach?

Week of 4/20 - Dads
Greetings
Explore dads
Paint a card for a dad, grandpa, uncle, brother, etc.
Show and tell: what do you like to do with your family?