September 18th, 2015

Bonjour les parents!                                                                                                   September, 2015

My name is Madame Harris and I will be teaching your child Core French this year at Northlake Woods P.S. I am excited to be teaching both the Primary and Junior Grades and to be teaching such a wonderful group of students! French is a passion of mine and my hope is that your child will greatly enjoy learning French with me.

I will be using a program called AIM, or Histoires en Action which is a revolutionary approach to second language instruction. It is based on the use of stories and music for the teaching of French. Specifically designed stories that are written in the form of plays become the focus for a range of motivation language activities that help students develop confidence and competence in the language as they progress. For young students, the use of stories is a very important way to contextualize vocabulary. It allows language development to be supported and nurtured within the familiar, predictable context of a story. Music is integrated with the story, and the students will learn to perform a play and a dance to accompany that play. 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 in the Gesture Approach, a technique that uses hand signs to help students learn and remember vocabulary. Each word is associated with a gesture, so that the language is represented visually and kinesthetically for the benefit of those students who learn best this way. 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 will be gradually introduce and the initial focus will be on oral language acquisition. Activities are varied, so that students have the opportunity to work individually, in partners, in small groups and as a whole class.

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

  • Participate actively in class
  • Memorize the play
  • Work cooperatively with others in the class while answering questions
  • Learn the gestures and vocabulary covered in class
  • Participate in songs, dances, chants, raps, and games with enthusiasm
  • Complete class work
  • Seek help when needed

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

  • Learn the words in the plays
  • Use French spontaneously
  • Pronounce words correctly
  • Answer questions based on the story
  • Perform the play
  • Listen well
  • Cooperate with peers while working in groups and with partners
  • Participate with enthusiasm
  • Complete work on time
  • Stay focused and productive in class

I am looking forward to working with your child. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions regarding the program or your child’s progress. Please encourage your child to share with you what s/he is learning in French class. When the play is well learned and rehearsed, your child will be presenting his/her play on a special play night at school. Establishing a link between home and school is a very important aspect of this program, and I hope that you enjoy this wonderful time of sharing. Letters will come home closer to the performance time.

Merci,  Madame Summer Harris                    519 885-1115  ext.6802

email: summer_harris@googleapps.wrdsb.ca

website: http://teachers.wrdsb.ca/harrisks