I visited Mme Zwart’s class on September 26, but I have not had a chance to write about what I saw. Mme Zwart teaches a grade 4 French Immersion class, and on the day of my visit they are sharing their 5 C’s.
The students had been assigned a task to come up with an oral presentation about themselves. The 5 C’s were the organizers used to help frame their presentation. The 5 C’s are French terms, and my understanding of them is that the students presentation must include; their favourite colour (couleur), their favourite car or method of transportation (char), their favourite food (cuisine), a description of the personality (caractère), and a possible future occupation (cabinet).
Paper bags were decorated, and students had to find 5 artifacts that could fit into a paper bag. The 5 item would represent the 5 C’s mentioned above. Students were learning interesting facts about their peers, and were given the chance to ask questions about their classmates’ presentation. The students had received a criteria sheet for their presentations, and they were encouraged to share the criteria at home. The criteria was in French, so it was also a good opportunity for students to share their French fluency with their families.
When I visited the class, I was fortunate to witness two students making their presentations. They spoke in quiet voices, and were slightly louder when saying words or phrases that they were more comfortable with. Learning French requires a lot of exposure to the language, and plenty of opportunities to speak in French with peers. This activity promotes public speaking in French and listening to their peers speaking in French.
Today, I am writing this blog from Mme Zwart’s class. The students are busy with many different tasks. Some are completing the activities from today’s lessons. Some are completing old work and some are finished all their work. There are students playing chess, and some are helping other students with the work that is proving difficult. Teachers (Mme Zwart and Mme Hamilton) are working one-to-one with students, and their is an active buzz in the room.
Thanks Kyle for letting me use your desk, and thanks students who were speaking to one another in French.
Take care.