L'année est presque finie! The year is almost over! This month, the kindergarten will learn some new vocabulary by listening to and interacting with the story of Boucle d'Or et les Trois Ours (Goldilocks and the Three Bears). We will also review what we have learned this year in terms of vocabulary and songs. The first grade will learn about subject pronouns and will start to expand their conversational vocabulary while reviewing material they have learned over this past year. They will also have a little taste of French food by making and eating petit pain au chocolat (little chocolate croissants). The second grade will begin working on a tie-in with the science curriculum: BUGS! The third grade will have a crepe party following the completion of their mini play. They will end the year with more extensive use of the ActivBoard and various French computer programs to expand both their vocabulary and their cultural horizons.
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 the final two Scholastic Canada book order forms (May and June) 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 fourth grade we have been reviewing numbers along with continuing in our new book Méthode de Lecture. We are learning consonant and vowel sounds in French. I am impressed with what a difference this book has made in terms of the fourth graders reading in French. We have read and translated three short stories.
In the fifth grade we have begun learning how to conjugate -IR verbs. We have read and translated a dialog for practice recognizing the -IR verbs. We have also been practicing drills on the ActivBoard to hone our conjugation skills!
Liz Blake
Heather Leger