le lundi 28 février 2011

FIF 1D

• Le but d’apprentissage: Comment pratiquer un discours oral.
• Le discours oral: about 30 minutes
• Students presented their speeches to each other and helped each other to improve using 2 handouts: rubric and checklist. They timed the speeches to ensure that they are 3 – 5 minutes long. They were allowed to use cell phones and iPods with stopwatch applications. They will be doing their formal presentations beginning Tues. March 1.
• Notre Dame de Paris: short novel
• Students continued reading chapter 3 in their literature circles using new papers and roles. They did questions # 1, 2 & 3 orally and written.
• Devoirs:
• Reread chapter 3 of “Notre. Dame”.
• le discours oral. Practise.

FIF 3U

• Le but d’apprentissage: Comment pratiquer un discours oral. 
• Le discours oral: about 30 minutes
• Students presented their speeches to each other and helped each other to improve using 2 handouts: rubric and checklist. They timed the speeches to ensure that they are 3 – 5 minutes long. They were allowed to use cell phones and iPods with stopwatch applications. They will be doing their formal presentations beginning Tues. March 1.
• La Parure: short story
• Students continued reading in their literature circles using new papers and new roles. They should also do questions for each section that they finish. They only need to do ½ of the questions and they can choose which questions to do.
• Devoirs:
• Reread section of “La Parure”.
• le discours oral. Practise.

le vendredi 25 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux lire.
• la revision des verbes: courir, boire, dormir, devoir
• quick lesson - les comment former l'imparfait, le futur proche, le futur simple, le conditionnel
• Notre Dame de Paris: in literature circles, read ch. 2 and did questions #1, 2, 3, 4.
• Devoirs - pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine si le discours oral est prêt. Monday there will be time in class for peer rehearsals to be ready for presentations March 1.
• finish anything else not done this week.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux lire.
• quick lesson - le passe simple: intro lesson: le passe simple.  Also looked briefly at another video lesson: le passe simple - longer video lesson
• La Parure: read in literature circles to top of pg.68 and did 1/2 of all questions for each section on handout given today.
• Devoirs - pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine si le discours oral est prêt.  Monday there will be time in class for peer rehearsals to be ready for presentations March 1.
• Finish any other homework not done this week.

le jeudi 24 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage:  Comment mieux lire.
• revision de verbes: conduire, lire, dire, rire et sourire
• Notre Dame de Paris
• reviewed pgs. 4 - 5 - Victor Hugo
• formed literacy circles to read ch. 1 and did questions #1, 2, 3 - oral and written
• read "Paris hier et aujourd'hui" pgs. 16 - 18 and did questions pg. 19 - orally
• les devoirs: le discours (due le 28 fevrier - practice presentations)
• les verbes
• re-read Notre Dame ch.1
• journal/blog

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux lire.
• rechauffement: les verbes au passe compose: watched 2 videos
• returned marked composition "le commencement" and reviewed common errors.
• La Parure: read 3 pages together in literacy circles
• les devoirs: le discours (due le 28 fevrier - practice presentations)
• les verbes
• re-read first 3 pages of La Parure
• journal/blog 

le mercredi 23 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux lire.
• rechauffement: per.2: les verbes: se lever, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir, voir
• Learning profile:  Re-distributed 4 surveys already done and highlighted own profile.
• Notre Dame de Paris: 
• distributed books and read pgs. 4 - 5 and answered questions for homework.
• Time to work on devoirs:
• le discours (due le 28 fevrier)
• les verbes au present
• organization of binder
• journal/blog: suggested topic: le jour de la famille.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux lire.
• Learning profile: Re-distributed 4 surveys already done and highlighted own profile.
• La Parure:
• finished vocabulary activity - jigsaw - les meilleurs/pires cadeaux recus/donnes
• wrote on own and talked in groups about a loss and how it felt
• set up literature circles to read story in groups
• Time to work on devoirs:
• le discours (due le 28 fevrier)
• organization of binder
• journal/blog: suggested topic: le jour de la famille.

le mardi 22 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier et organiser un discours oral.
• per. 4 - to library for research.
• per. 2 - lesson - les verbes se lever, vouloir, pouvoir, savoir, voir - test - les verbes au présent (forms and meanings) coming up before the March Break.
• Time to work on le discours oral.  Add to concept map.  We looked at more examples of mind maps on the internet.  Use this to organize and write your speech.  If the concept map is good enough, you may not need to write the speech and use the concept map as your presentation notes.
• Devoirs: 20 - 30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• verb practice
• journal/blog (see handout given already).  Suggested topic for this week: le jour de la famille.
• organization of binder

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier et organiser un discours oral.
• Time to work on le discours oral. Add to concept map. Use this to organize and write your speech. If the concept map is good enough, you may not need to write the speech and use the concept map as your presentation notes.
• Did game with whiteboards to review verbs in present tense.
• Started jigsaw vocabulary activity: les meilleurs/pires cadeaux recus/donnes
• Devoirs:  30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• journal/blog (see handout given already). Suggested topic for this week: le jour de la famille.
• organization of binder
• Upcoming due dates: le discours oral - ready for rehearsal Feb. 28 and assessment March 1.

Journal/blog topic ideas

This entry is to give students some ideas of topics for their weekly journal/blog.  I will add to it when I think of something.  Students are encouraged to add interesting topics (appropriate for school!) in the comment section.

la St. Valentin
Charlie Brown
le jour de la famille
la meilleure chose de la semaine
une journée de neige
mon meilleur cadeau
mon pire cadeau
des actes de gentillesse randonnés

le vendredi 18 février 2011

Pas d'école lundi.  C'est le jour de la famille.

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier et organiser un discours oral.
• per. 2 - lesson - les verbes s'habiller, mettre, prendre, sortir, partir - test - les verbes au présent (forms and meanings) coming up before the March Break.  There will be practice activities assigned.
• per. 4 - lesson - les verbes se lever, vouloir, pouvoir, savoir, voir - au présent but also reviewed le passé composé, l'imparfait, le futur simple et le conditionnel.
• both classes: Time to work on le discours oral. Add to concept map - showed examples and also worked in groups.
• Played Bingo per. 4.  Per 2 - prepared Bingo cards and will play on Tues.
• Devoirs: pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine, mais  - if behind in something or want to get ahead, do some work over the weekend.
• Upcoming due dates: le discours oral - ready for rehearsal Feb. 28 and assessment March 1.
• les verbes au présent - test before March Break - probably Mar. 9.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier et organiser un discours oral.
• Time to work on le discours oral. Add to concept map - showed examples and video of Tony Bruzen (YouTube) and also worked in groups.
• Played Bingo.
• 
  Devoirs: pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine, mais - if behind in something or want to get ahead, do some work over the weekend.
• Upcoming due dates: le discours oral - ready for rehearsal Feb. 28 and assessment March 1.
  
  
  

le jeudi 17 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier et organiser un discours oral.
• per. 2 - to library for research.
• per. 4 - lesson - les verbes mettre, prendre, sortir, partir - test - les verbes au présent (forms and meanings) coming up before the March Break.
• Time to work on le discours oral.  Add to concept map.
• Devoirs: 20 - 30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• journal/blog (see handout given already)
• organization of binder

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier les cours pour l'année prochaine.
• Assembly - course option sheets for next year. Students received information, user name and password and must choose courses on-line by Feb 28, 2011.
• Devoirs: 30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• journal/blog (see handout given already)
• organization of binder

le mercredi 16 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier un travail.
• Watched short video: One semester of French.
• checked 2 handouts from yesterday (les problemes) and corrected own work from answer keys.
• Verb chart.  Finish on own time and use as a reference in your binder to help write correctly.  Test on verbs in present tense in the week before the March break.  We will be doing practice activities before then.
• Reminder:  use assignment sheets to complete work correctly.
• le discours oral:  Rehearsals in class Feb. 28.  Presentations begin March 1.  Participation in HWDSB Concours Oratoire is optional and encouraged.
• lesson on Concept Mapping/ Mind Mapping then used this techique to do brainstorming and planning for discours oral.  If done well enough, a student will be able to present the discours oral using their Carte de Concept instead of cue cards and may even be able to do it without writing a brouillon.
• per. 2 class - library research tomorrow.
• per. 4 class - library research Tues Feb 22
• Devoirs: 20 - 30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• journal/blog
• organization of binder

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment planifier un travail.
• Watched short video: One semester of French.
• checked 2 handouts from yesterday (les problemes) and corrected own work from answer keys.
• Verb chart. Finish on own time and use as a reference in your binder to help write correctly.
• Reminder: use assignment sheets to complete work correctly.
• le discours oral: Rehearsals in class Feb. 28. Presentations begin March 1. Participation in HWDSB Concours Oratoire is optional and encouraged.
• lesson on Concept Mapping/ Mind Mapping then used this techique to do brainstorming and planning for discours oral. If done well enough, a student will be able to present the discours oral using their Carte de Concept instead of cue cards and may even be able to do it without writing a brouillon.
• Devoirs:  30 min. of French
• le discours oral - concept map and/or research
• journal/blog
• organization of binder

le mardi 15 févier 2011

FIF 1D

• Le but d’apprentissage: Comment mieux se connaître.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D
• Overdue. Hand in tomorrow to Ms. K-J with note (see poster in class or blog post "late assignements), not to substitute teacher.
• 2 Handouts: Corrections of common mistakes. Read lesson and do practice activity on own or with group. Check own answers using answer sheets posted on the back bulletin board. I will check if done tomorrow.
• Le discours oral: Brainstorm and plan. We will be able to use the library for research later this week.
• Devoirs:
• Sign course outline.
• Course materials: binder with 4 dividers, journal.
• Brainstorm, plan – le discours oral. Work for 20 – 30 min.

FIF 3U

• Le but d’apprentissage: Comment planifier un discours oral.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 3U
• Overdue. Hand in tomorrow to Ms. K-J with note (see poster in class or blog post "late assignements), not to substitute teacher.
• Le discours oral: Brainstorm and plan.
• 2 Handouts: Corrections of common mistakes. Read lesson and do practice activity on own or with group. Check own answers using answer sheets posted on the back bulletin board. I will check if done tomorrow.
• Devoirs:
• Sign course outline.
• Course materials: binder with 4 dividers, journal
• Brainstorm, plan – le discours oral. Work for 20 – 30 min. Not due yet.

le lundi 14 février 2011

Bonne St. Valentin!  Do a random act of kindness for someone in honour of the day.

FIF 1D

• Le but d’apprentissage: La communication.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D
• Bonne Copie – due. If not handed in today at beginning of class, will be counted as late and must submit with note including:  - see blog post "late assignments" 
• Multiple Intelligences – survey (handout), then formed groups of students with similar profiles. Discussed how to use information to learn more effectively and made notes. 
• Reading assessment : L’apprenti boulanger – handout to read and another for questions (complete sentences s.v.p.).
•  worked on le discours oral – research and planning.
•  Devoirs:
• Course materials: binder with 4 dividers, journal
• Brainstorm, plan – le discours oral.
• Faites un acte de gentillesse randonné et écrivez une entrée du journal.

FIF 3U

• Le but d’apprentissage: Comment faire les recherches.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 3U
• Bonne Copie – due. If not handed in today at beginning of class, will be counted as late and must submit with note including: - see blog post "late assignments" 
• Le discours oral:  library for research.  There will be work time in class tomorrow.
• Devoirs:
• Sign course outline.
• Course materials: binder with 4 dividers, journal.
• Brainstorm, plan – le discours oral.
• Faites un acte de gentillesse randonné et écrivez une entrée du journal.

le vendredi 11 février 2011

A fun strange website to check out: Bibliothèque de Rouen alphabet
FIF 1D

• Le but d’apprentissage: La communication.
• Hand in assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D
• Bonne Copie – due. Complete for Monday if not already done. If Tuesday, will be counted as late and must submit with note including:
• Name of student, title of assignment, date due, date submitted
• Reason why assignment is late.
• What could you have done so that assignment was submitted on time?
• Parent/guardian signature.
• Journal/blog: gave handout and discussed briefly. Can start now if wish, but must start next week. Suggested topic: Ce que j’ai fait pendant la journée de neige.
• Le discours oral : Choose possible topics. We will re-book the library for research.
• Speaking activity using Doodles.
• Devoirs: Pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine – except -
• le commencement de FIF 1D – la bonne copie dû – le vendredi 11 février but can hand in Monday without penalty.
• Sign course outline.
• Classroom materials: binder with dividers and journal.
• Think of topic for discours oral.

FIF 3U

• Le but d’apprentissage: La communication.
• Hand in assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 3U
• Bonne Copie – due. Complete for Monday if not already done. If Tuesday, will be counted as late and must submit with note:
• Name of student, title of assignment, date due, date submitted
• Reason why assignment is late.
• What could you have done so that assignment was submitted on time?
• Parent/guardian signature.
• Journal/blog: gave handout and discussed briefly. Can start now if wish, but must start next week. Suggested topic: Ce que j’ai fait pendant la journée de neige.
• Le discours oral :  Jigsaw activity to generate ideas for topics. Choose possible topics for Monday Feb 14. We will be in the library for research.
• Speaking activity using Doodles.
• Devoirs: Pas de devoirs pour la fin de semaine – except -
• le commencement de FIF 3U – la bonne copie dû – le vendredi 11 février but can hand in Monday without penalty.
• Sign course outline.
• Classroom materials: binder with dividers and journal.
• Think of topic for discours oral.

late assignments

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.

If not handed in on due date at beginning of class, it will be counted as late and must be submitted with note including:

• Name of student, title of assignment, date due, date submitted.
• Reason why assignment is late - written by the student.
• Acountability: What could you have done so that assignment was submitted on time? - written by the student.
• Parent/guardian signature - with a comment indicating awareness of why assignment was late.

Here is a link to download the form if not picked up in class: Late Assignment Form

If still not handed in, the student will be expected to come to the classroom at lunch and/or after school to complete the work.  The student can also expect that the teacher will be contacting the parents/guardians.

If not handed in by the time the original assignments have been marked and returned, the student will receive a mark of zero for that assignment and will be given an alternate assignment to demonstrate that curriculum expectation.

le jeudi 10 février 2011

Exam Take-up/Review day.

FIF 1D

• per. 2 Pas de classe - assembly and exam take-up
• per. 4 mix-up in bookings for library, so, did Interest Survey, peer editing of assignement "Le commencement" and worked on brainstorming for speeches.
• Devoirs: composition: le commencement du FIF 1D - Bonne copie dû demain (vendredi 11 fév.)

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment rédiger le travail écrit.
• Le discours oral : Gave assignment outline handout. Choose possible topics for Monday Feb 14. We will be in the library for research.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 3U
• Brouillon – due - peer editing using handout provided.
• Model of completed project – all parts - posted on back bulletin board.
• Time to work.
• Devoirs:  le commencement de FIF 3U – la bonne copie dû – le vendredi 11 février
• Sign course outline.
• Think of topic for discours oral.

le mercredi 9 fevrier 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment faire la redaction d'ecriture.
• le discours oral: gave handout of requirements and did group discussion to list possible topics.
• la composition: did peer editing of le brouillon and showed format for final copy.  Follow directions on assignment handout.
• Devoirs: la composition: la bonne copie due Fri Feb 11
• le discours oral: think of a topic
• course outline and binder with dividers

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: la culture et la cuisine d'Acadie
• We had a wonderful session with "Le chef a l'ecole" and ate delicious cookies "les langues de chat" and tea.
• Devoirs: la composition: la bonne copie due Fri Feb 11
• course outline and binder with dividers

le mardi 8 février 2011

Grade 8 Open House Information Night tonight 6:30 pm.

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage:  Comment ecrire correctement.
• Finished presentations from yesterday and made note on strategies for good and bad presentations.
• Quick review of verbs present tense - regular and etre, avoir, faire, aller - Made own note.
• Learning styles inventory - completed questions and discussed results and how to use to learn better.
• Assignment composition: Le commencement de FIF 1D. Expanding "le plan" into "le brouillon". Follow guidelines on assignment handout.
• Devoirs: Le brouillon due - le 9 fevrier for peer editing.
• La bonne copie (all parts) le 11 fevrier, but will be accepted not late on Mon. Feb 14 (It just means that if you finish for Fri - no homework for the weekend.)
•  sign course outline
• think of possible speech topics.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage:  Comment ecrire correctement.
• DI. Multiple Intelligences inventory. Handout.  Discussed how to use information to learn more effectively.
• Reading:  L'Acadie - handout and vocabulary sheet to prepare for "Le chef a l'ecole" tomorrow - cooking and eating in French!
• Assignment composition: Le commencement de FIF 3U.  Expanding "le plan" into "le brouillon".  Follow guidelines on assignment handout. 
• Devoirs:  Le brouillon due - le 10 fevrier for peer editing.
• La bonne copie (all parts) le 11 fevrier, but will be accepted not late on Mon. Feb 14 (It just means that if you finish for Fri - no homework for the weekend.)
• sign course outline
• think of possible speech topics.

le lundi 7 février 2011

Bienvenue à lundi!  C'était une bonne fin de semaine et nous sommes prêts à travailler fort cette semaine.
FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux organiser une tâche de communication.
• Minds on: J’ai beaucoup à dire: photo #42 – un match de hockey.
• groups brainstormed, developed and presented points of view as a diagnostic assessment.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D
• Talked briefly about how to make les idées into an outline (le plan) – reminder of Friday’s work. Remember to add details (i.e. adjectives, verbs required) and should be all in French.
• Time to work.
• Devoirs: Complete “le plan” if not already done.
• Sign course outline.
• Start thinking of a topic for speech - More details to come - but - 2 -3 min, and incorporate research.  We are booked into the library for Thursday.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Comment mieux organiser une tâche de communication.
• Minds on: J’ai beaucoup à dire: photo #42 – un match de hockey.
• groups brainstormed, developed and presented points of view as a diagnostic assessment.
• We did some discussion and made own notes on how to do good presentations.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 3U
• Talked briefly about how to make les idées into an outline (le plan) – reminder of Friday’s work. Remember to add details (i.e. adjectives, verbs required) and should be all in French.
• Time to work.
• Devoirs: Complete “le plan” if not already done.
• Sign course outline.
• Start thinking of a topic for speech - More details to come - but - 2 -3 min, and incorporate research. We are booked into the library for Thursday.

le vendredi 4 février 2011

FIF 1D

• le but d'apprentissage: Mieux se connaître.
• Minds on: Course outline. Discussed briefly to set up expectations of course. Reminder: sign back of sheet and have parents read and sign also.
• Showed my blog (not per. 2) and discussed own journal/blog – to start week of Feb.14.  Decide if you want to do it on paper or electronic.  More details to come.
• Discussed briefly le discours oral - Commencez de penser d'un sujet - quelque chose avec un peu de recherches.  On va le commencer bientôt et présenter à la fin de février.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D. 
• Modelled brainstorming on chart paper. 
• Showed how to make les idées into an outline (le plan).
• Time to work in class.
• Differentiated Instruction: VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) inventory and Interest inventory.  Filled in handout and discussed briefly.
• Devoirs:
• Course information sheet – parent’s signature and e-mail.
• Complete “les idées” if not already done.

FIF 3U

• le but d'apprentissage: Mieux se connaître.
• Minds on: Course outline. Discussed briefly to set up expectations of course. Reminder: sign back of sheet and have parents read and sign also.
• Showed my blog and discussed own journal/blog – to start week of Feb.14. Decide if you want to do it on paper or electronic. More details to come.
• Discussed briefly le discours oral - Commencez de penser d'un sujet - quelque chose avec un peu de recherches. On va le commencer bientôt et présenter à la fin de février.
• Assignment composition: le commencement de FIF 1D.
• Modelled brainstorming on chart paper.
• Showed how to make les idées into an outline (le plan).
• Time to work in class.
• Differentiated Instruction: VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) inventory and Interest inventory. Filled in handout and discussed briefly.
• Devoirs:
• Course information sheet – parent’s signature and e-mail.
• Complete “les idées” if not already done.

le jeudi 3 février 2011

Bonjour Westdale!  Merci des bienvenues et de votre patience aujourd'hui. 

FIF 1D

• Today we went over introductions, Student information sheet, classroom expectations (Soyez respectueux.) and the course outline.  You will receive a paper copy tomorrow.  Please review it with your parents, sign the back, and keep it in your binder.
• Started a diagnostic written paragraph titled "le commencement de FIF 1D".  I will give you a handout tomorrow or Monday and will also figure out how to post it on this blog.  We discussed "le processus d'écriture" and took a note of the assignment and the writing process and due date timelines.  The good copy will be due Fri. Feb. 11 and you will be handing in all parts of the process so that I can assess your thinking/inquiry skills.  We had time in class (about 15 minutes) to work on "les idées" - brainstorming.
• Devoirs: "le commencement de FIF 1D"  - les idées due Mon.Feb.7.

FIF 3U

• Today we went over introductions, Student information sheet, classroom expectations (Soyez respectueux.) and the course outline. You will receive a paper copy tomorrow. Please review it with your parents, sign the back, and keep it in your binder.
• Started a diagnostic written paragraph titled "le commencement de FIF 3U". I will give you a handout tomorrow or Monday and will also figure out how to post it on this blog. We discussed "le processus d'écriture" and took a note of the assignment and the writing process and due date timelines. The good copy will be due Fri. Feb. 11 and you will be handing in all parts of the process so that I can assess your thinking/inquiry skills. We had time in class (about 15 minutes) to work on "les idées" - brainstorming.
• Devoirs: "le commencement de FIF 3U" - les idées due Mon.Feb.7.

Au revoir Parkside

I love snow days - relaxing, safe, warm, everything looks clean and fresh - but I am disappointed that I didn't get my last chance to say goodbye to my Parkside kids and colleagues.  Tomorrow I start at Westdale Secondary School and I am excited by the move and the new challenges, but I am sad to leave the wonderful Parkside community.  All the best to you all.  It has been a fabulous almost 6 years and I will miss you.