Lake Ridge Elementary School - French Specialty Program

ABOUT THE LRES FRENCH PROGRAM

For those who are new to LRES, our French program is part of a Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES) program. This model for early foreign-language learning offers instruction for short periods of time on a frequent basis (every other day at LRES). The goal is to familiarize the students with a basic knowledge of French by focusing initially on listening and speaking skills. As these skills develop, we focus on reading and writing skills. The classes are conducted in French, with an emphasis on using the language in context, rather than practicing grammar drills.

In French class, we reinforce the curriculum objectives taught in the regular classrooms. For example, when first graders learn about geometric shapes with their classroom teachers, they will learn the names for these shapes in French. When third graders learn about different kinds of folk tales in their regular classrooms, they will read fairy tales by Charles Perrault in French class.

French at LRES is not a graded subject. We also (usually) do not give homework. We use informal assessments to determine how your child is learning and to guide our teaching. At the end of each grading period, you will receive a letter summarizing the units your child has studied in French class and samples of his or her work. Your child’s French teacher will also include individualized comments about your child’s progress on his or her report card.


	Bienvenue à tout le monde! (Welcome, everyone!) We are very excited to begin another successful year in French! The 2009-2010 school year will be the 10th year of the LRES French program. Our French program will continue to include first through fifth grades. French classes for first and second grades will meet for 30 minutes every other day, taught by Madame Saxon. Third- through fifth-grade French classes will meet for between 35 and 45 minutes every other day, and will be taught by Madame Rigot. We also plan to expose kindergarteners to our French program with mini-lessons, starting in October. We are looking forward to introducing new students to the French language and culture, and to challenging our returning students to take their language skills further. We will begin the year for our first graders by introducing basic greetings, numbers 1 to 10, colors, four basic shapes, as well as learning all about the calendar and weather in French. In second through fifth grades, we will spend the first six to eight weeks reviewing and expanding on vocabulary learned from the previous year. We thank you, the parents, for the opportunity to teach your children. Their eagerness to learn brings excitement and energy to our program. Please feel free to contact us by e-mail with any questions or comments. À la prochaine (Until the next time), Madame Rigot et Madame Saxon ** To view Classroom pages, click on the teacher's name.


	ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR We have some special activities planned for this year. We plan to celebrate National French Week in November by creating cultural projects in each class and serving crêpes to all the students! During the first week after Winter Break, we will learn about la fête des rois (Kings' Day), a holiday celebrated in France and other countries. We also hope to hold a Multicultural Night, scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2010, which will give your children an opportunity to perform French songs and dances for you, and give us an opportunity to celebrate our varied cultures and heritage. We will alert you about other events as they are scheduled. Crêpe Recipe KingCake Recipe Would you like to practice your French? Click on the link below to play French games. French Games

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