In Order to Do Well in French This Year, Your Child Will Need To

September 7, 2017

Dear Parents,

This week, your child will begin a new unit in the program, "Histoires en action!"pour les tout petits. It is based upon the use of stories and music for the teaching of French. Music is integrated with the story, and in each unit of this program, students will learn to perform a play and a dance to accompany that play. There are a few songs, chants and raps that help students who learn well through rhythmical activities. They also become aware of rhyming words in the language. The vocabulary that is taught in this method has been carefully selected as it is essential vocabulary for students during the initial stages of their language learning.

Another component of this program is the "Gesture Approach". As each word is associated with a gesture, the language is represented visually and kinesthetically for the benefit of those students who learn best in these ways.

There is an equal, strong emphasis on the development of all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) through this program; however, for young students, the written word is gradually introduced and the focus is on oral language acquisition with plenty of pleasant and fun repetition.

In order to do well in French this year, your child will need to:

1) participate actively in class, in French only

2) memorize the play

3) work cooperatively with others in the class while answering questions

4) learn the gestures covered in class

5) learn the gesture associations

6) participate in songs, dances, chants, raps and games with enthusiasm

7) complete class work

8) seek help when needed

At-home support

In order to support the work covered in class, and to ensure student success and independence, students may practice the gestures and the play, songs and dances. Parents can share in the language learning with their children as well!

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

•learn the words in this unit;

•use French spontaneously, both with the teacher and with peers;

•pronounce words correctly;

•answer questions based on the story;

•memorize the play;

•perform the play;

•listen well;

•cooperate with peers while working with a partner;

•participate with enthusiasm;

•complete work on time;

•stay focused and productive in class.

I am looking forward to working with your child. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions regarding this outline or your child’s progress. Please encourage your child to share with you what and how s/he is learning in French class. Establishing a link between home and school is a very important aspect of this French program, and we hope that you will enjoy this sharing time with the family.

Sincerely,

Monsieur Boersma

FSL/ESL Teacher - NTCS

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