We put together a lesson on winter vocabulary for beginner or intermediate French students. This lesson could be incorporated on a day before a break, as a unit, with a sub, or to take a breath between two more intense units. We have 31 winter vocabulary words that are presented in an animated winter presentation (PowerPoint or Google Slides). Before jumping in the presentation, we always like to get our students thinking: what do you already know? What are some connections you can make? We do that with an introductory activity: individually, with partners, as a competition all could work! In the presentation, we prefer to have each of the images animated (the word and the picture) so that it gives teacher and student time to think, speak, and process. For example, we like to pull out student background knowledge on a word such as "un chasse-neige" before we just show the corresponding picture. With that particular word, students should know what "neige" is and could start guessing what "chasse" might mean. Granting them think time encourages higher level thinking, and we love that! In addition, we like to help keep our students and their vocabulary organized, so we provide a note organizer with the presentation (as PDF or Google Docs). The naturally organized students appreciate the vocabulary to be categorized and the students who struggle with organization appreciate the direction and tangibility the organizer gives them. To practice the winter vocabulary, we immediately get the students speaking in a partner conversation. This gives students the opportunity to practice pronunciation in a comfortable manner. From there, we would move to a cooperative jigsaw winter puzzle. This can be completed as individuals, with partners, or in small groups. Depending on time and needs of students would determine which fits best in each classroom. Notes or no notes? Competition or relaxed manner? Time selves or no timing? Many modifications can be made and this puzzle can be used again and again (beginning of unit, end of unit, as review, down time after a test, as a station, etc.). Next, we like to implement digital based resources, too. Therefore, we created a winter digital desk of task cards. There are 25 cards, same words and pictures, various levels of thinking (matching, descriptions, categorizing). These cards provide instant feedback, students can go at their own pace, and you can hide any cards you don't want students to see. Need more info on digital task cards? See our blog post HERE. Although digital resources are helpful to learning, we still believe in kinesthetic and cooperative learning. Hence why we create puzzles and games like Winter Pictionary. The game is fun and engaging while also helping students practice their vocab. Note: All of these resources can be bundled together to make a thorough lesson plan! Note: We also created a sub plan for all levels of French from some of these materials. You can read more info about it on our blog post or product page. Note: We also created two additional winter speaking activities to complement the resources mentioned above.
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Who are the Hobbs?Originally, we are from the Midwest and the East; however, our paths took us to Angers, France where we met and fell in love. Archives
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