French
Bonjour tout le monde
French continues apace at Preshil and the children amaze us with their French understandings. The new students have thrown themselves into the program; using the AIM gestures, learning the songs, and taking part in the activities. Make sure to check out Seesaw for some of our learning.
Term 3 sees us begin new AIM stories – La Poule Maboule in the Lofties and Sunroom, and Les Trois Petit Cochons in the Peppercorns. Stay tuned for some creative presentations.
Kinder 3s & 4s
What delightful French learners we have in the kinder. They are so keen to practise their French speaking and some of them can even be heard pretending to be Madame Suzanne!
Highlight of the class: Helping Sid who let’s face it, is pretty terrible at French!
Lighthouse 5s
“I can’t get that song out of my head” – Aliah commenting about the song “Bonjour mes amies, comment ça va?”
The Lighthouse students understand so much! They respond to questions posed in French, follow instructions such as “tout le monde sur les escaliers,” and now even make jokes (in French of course).
Highlight of the class: Watching the children and teachers make connections in their learning.
Lofties 6s & 7s
“Madame Suzanne est folle” (Madame Suzanne is crazy). She seems to forget the Lofties are only 6 and 7 years old and keeps giving them work way beyond their years. The students are so incredibly capable and keep on challenging themselves with new learning.
Highlight of the class: Contextual usage of “mais non.” (apologies to parents)
Sunroom 8s & 9s
“I can’t believe how much they understand. You speak in full sentences to them.” – Sophia our new teaching aide in the Sunroom.
So many different activities each day in the Sunroom – Movietalks, dancing, card games, songs, drawing challenges, sentence construction, vrai et faux – the students are transferring their learning from context to context.
Highlight of the class: Conquering the Disappearing Dictation.
Peppercorns 10s & 11s
We have “renovated” the French room to allow for focused learning. Each session the students sit in a group of three, their spot determined by the draw of a card. We TRY to only speak in French – unless we are translating. We continue to use the gestures as many students have commented on the benefits of matching the words and actions.
Some students have mentioned they are using apps at home to practise their French. This is wonderful news and will support their learning. If anyone would like information on apps or follow up learning at home please contact me.
Highlight of the class: Lightbulb moments when the students translate French to English and realise how much they know.
Suzanne Banfield
French teacher