On this blog...

Just by way of introduction...

If you are checking this blog from a mobile device, you probably can't see that there are side bars on either side of my posts. Log in from a computer now and then in order to see these other features.

In the column to your left, you will see the To-Do List (friendly reminders of what's coming up or needs to be returned) followed by my "Wish List". I am always collecting things that I think could be useful at school. Most often, these things would otherwise be garbage, so it’s nice to be able to recycle them and use them in our learning. If at any point you are getting rid of any of the listed items, please send them to school with your child instead and I will store them and put them to good use! Merci!

In the column to the right, you will see several link lists organized by subject area. Please explore the online resources available to us at your leisure, and if you find any others, please send me the address so I can check it out! In particular, I have added many sites that allow you and your child to listen to French words and stories. If you ever have trouble navigating a page or finding the actual thing you're supposed to listen to, please just ask! I have also posted an overview of a few of the sites below. It might help you get started using them.

If you would like to receive an email notification each time I update the blog, simply enter your email address in the box at the top and you will receive a confirmation email. The emails seem to be a bit delayed - sometimes they come in the middle of the night after I write them, but this way you don't have to remember to check the blog so often.

Hope you enjoy!

Tamara

Scholastic 101

Dear readers,

I realize that this might be the first time you ever get to do Scholastic. Ordering from Scholastic is completely optional, but I have found that it gets kids really excited about reading, so I provide the forms every month. Here's an explanation of how it works and how to interpret the French catalogue.

Here's what you do:

1. Look through the catalogues and decide what you would like to purchase. Note the item number.

2. Turn to the order form at the back of each catalogue. Find the items you wanted using the item number, and make sure the titles match up. 

3. There are about 5 different columns showing different prices. The pink one is for Ontario, so we always use the price in that column. Circle the price for the item you want. (If you are ordering more than one copy of an item, make a note of how many you would like.)

4. Add up the total cost and the total number of items (this really helps me know that I haven't missed anything when reading your order) and write them in the two boxes at the bottom.

5. Write a cheque, made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd., for the total amount of all orders OR find exact change. Online parent pay is also set up. If you use this option, please let me know - you do not have to send in any money.

6. If not ordering online, send in the order form with your payment by the due date (see to-do list). An envelope or zip lock bag is perfect.

The books usually arrive within 2 weeks, and I will distribute them at the end of the day with the original order forms.

I have found Scholastic prices to be very reasonable, often cheaper than in stores. Plus, when our class order is large enough, we sometimes earn free books for our class library! 

The Club de Lecture catalogue is the only French book catalogue, and it serves a very large age range. You will notice that in the left margin of each two-page spread is a level. The first two-page spread is labeled "Lecteurs Débutants" - that's us! Of course, you are welcome to purchase whatever you like - there's no harm in children looking at books they cannot yet read. However, if you are looking for books with words that your kinder student can start to guess or sound out, you will want to stick to the first few pages. There are always books that fit the theme of the season, and audio-books, that are great for any age.

Children are welcome to bring their French books to school - please make sure they are labeled!

Hope this helps you navigate the Scholastic catalogues a little bit. I have also posted two links to Scholastic sites in the language section to the right.

Happy reading!

Language Links

Here are a few details on some of the language links... hopefully this helps you get started. Please ask me if you have any questions. I will get the kids using these sites later in the year, but if you'd like to start using them now, feel free. Sometimes it's a great way to fill up 10 minutes while you're making dinner!

Centre Soleil http://www.tfo.org/emissions/carmen/

When you click on Centre Soleil, you immediately meet Carmen who sings an introductory song. She speaks to you using fairly simple language, and not too fast. I think many children will understand her instructions, but if not, it's an easy site to navigate. You can colour, play games, or read stories. When you click on the bookshelf, you then have the choice of 3 books to read with Carmen. Once you've clicked on the book you want, she asks you if you want her to read you the story, or, if you want to play with the pictures and the words. If you ask her to read to you, the words light up, karaoke-style, so you can follow along. If you ask to play with the words, you can click on underlined words to hear them, or click on the pictures to hear the associated word. This is an amazing site!

Themed Dictionary http://www.yrdsb.ca/Programs/fi/FrenchAudio/Pages/a-l-ecole.aspx#
Themed Dictionary, you get a list of themes (e.g., l'école, l'hiver, l'alphabet etc.). When you select a theme, there are pictures of commonly used words for that theme. As you run the mouse over them, it will say the name of the object to you. This is very simple for learning vocabulary at home.

Vocab (with audio) http://www.learninghelper.ca/#sec2

When you click on JK/SK you see a user-friendly menu with choices like songs, sight-words, the sounds of the alphabet and much more. Click on the image beside the choice to continue. If you select sight-words, the numbers, or the alphabet (possibly others), you just scroll over the word Écoute, and it will speak to you. Click Prochain to move on to the next word. If you select songs and poems, it will give you another list of choices to listen to. Again, this sight is great for beginners, and children can probably use it independently after they know how to get on.

Sam Sam http://www.samsam.fr/

This site is super fun for kids. There are videos with French narration, and games to play. The only drawback is that there is no written text with the videos, so you can't follow the words while you listen. Still fun though, and there is more variety of stories on this site than any other.

Chansons et Comptines http://comptines.tv/

This is a good alternative to YouTube as all the videos are in French and many have words so you can follow along and sing familiar songs and nursery rhymes karaoke-style. Use the list on the left to see which songs have videos and music.

Finally, check out the Toronto Public Library site. They have a "Hear a Story" section, and if you follow the prompts, you can find French stories on there too!