French Curriculum, 2013-14
The goal of the French program at The Grammar School is for
students to attain basic proficiency in the French language and a combination
of familiarity and curiosity about the Francophone (French speaking) world that
will spur life-long interest in other cultures. We will develop the four skill
sets: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing, with an emphasis
on oral expression.
Early grades (pre-k and kindergarten) will focus solely on
oral expression and comprehension. In first through eighth grades the use of
textbooks, CD’s, and workbooks will include work on writing and reading, as
appropriate by grade level. In the upper grades, on-line sources will be used
as well. Where relevant, music, art, history and culture will be highlighted.
Curricular details by grade are below.
In pre-k students learn French while singing, coloring,
miming, and dancing. Stories are told using the felt board and picture books.
Topics will include animals, numbers, colors, simple verbs, the house, and
more. Classes are lively and interactive, and meet once a week for half an
hour.
In kindergarten we touch on many topics using songs, games,
movement, coloring, and storytelling as avenues of exploration. Classes are fun
and engaging, and French is the main language spoken in class. Vocabulary relates
to the body, the farm, the house, food, appearances, the alphabet, weather,
colors, numbers, and more. Class meets twice a week.
First grade French builds upon vocabulary acquired in
kindergarten, such as numbers, colors, body descriptions, foods, the alphabet,
and classroom words. Through drawing, coloring, movement, miming, games, and
songs, we learn vocabulary for the house, the town, clothing, classroom
activities, and objects. The book What Do
They Do? will provide simple “reading” tasks, as will French children’s
books. Class meets twice a week.
In second grade, we use the Grenadine series with a CD presented by native French speakers.
This series employs a workbook for written exercises. Units include songs,
games, phonetic activities, and reading and writing tasks, all built around a
body of vocabulary. Topics learned will be greetings, possessions, colors, the
alphabet, activities, foods, days of the week, clothing, months, homes and
more. Class meets twice a week.
The third grade studies French using the Alex et Zoé series, featuring recordings
of native French speakers and employing a workbook with written exercises. The
book is structured in units that incorporate songs, games, phonetic activities,
and reading and writing, all built around a body of vocabulary. Topics are
greetings, possessions, colors, the alphabet, activities, food, days of the
week, and months. We will meet twice a week.
In the fourth grade, we again use Alex et Zoé as our text. This fun series features recordings of native
French speakers and employs a workbook for written exercises. The book is
structured in units that incorporate songs, games, phonetic activities, and
reading and writing, all built around a body of vocabulary. Topics are
greetings, possessions, colors, the alphabet, activities, food, days of the
week, clothing, months, homes, telling time, and families. We meet twice a
week.
This year, in fifth grade, we will use the book QTalk, Qu’est-ce que tu dis? A series
based on the use of flashcards, this method has students speaking rapidly about
places they go, activities they do, and things they like to play with or use.
The book contains numerous writing tasks, providing students ample time to work
on their spelling and writing skills. New this year we have on line games to go
with the book. Class meets three times per week for 30 minutes in the French
room.
In the sixth grade, we use the book Amis et compagnie, Level 1. A fun series from French authors that
builds on the story of the Three
Musketeers, each chapter presents a few new verbs and a variety of
vocabulary that is recycled throughout the book. Native French speakers present
the material and activities on a CD, while an accompanying workbook affords a
related series of written exercises. The series fosters development of the four
skill sets: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Topics in
this series include school objects, family, tastes, activities, towns and
schedules, and much more. There will be regular homework. Class meets three
times a week in the French room.
In seventh grade we finish the textbook Amis et compagnie, Level 1. A fun series from French authors that
builds on the story of the Three
Musketeers, each chapter presents a few new verbs and a variety of
vocabulary that is recycled throughout the book. Native French speakers present
the material and activities on a CD, while an accompanying workbook affords a
related series of written exercises. The series fosters development of the four
skill sets: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Topics in
this series include school objects, family, tastes, activities, towns and
schedules, and much more. There will be regular homework. Class meets three
times a week in the French room.
In eighth grade, we will work with Amis et compagnie, Level 2. This series is designed with middle
school students in mind, featuring teenage characters, engaging activities, and
a comic strip series of Les Misérables.
The accompanying CD provides a sound track of native French speakers, while the
workbook gives students written work based on the textbook. The series fosters
development of the four skill sets: speaking, listening comprehension, reading,
and writing. Topics in this series include the body, clothing, holidays, telling
time, the house, feelings, meals, weather, and much more. There will be regular
homework. Class meets three times a week in the French room.
