What are my favorite resources for teaching the imparfait? I LOVE this unit! Teaching the imparfait is one of my favorite grammar topics. It is so fun to learn about students and discover who they were as younger children. At this level, students have enough language proficiency to begin working with more complicated grammar. There are so many fun activities to do in a French imparfait unit.
Here are my 3 favorite resources for teaching the imparfait:
1. Quand j’étais petit(e) project
My students have always loved this project! They always think it is fun to talk about themselves, and it is especially fun to remember their favorite things from childhood. Students create a presentation using PowerPoint or another presentation platform by choosing questions from the project guide. They write about their childhoods and then present to the class. It’s SO much fun!
There are speaking and writing portions of this project, and I have always used it as a replacement for a unit test. It’s easy to give quick conjugation quizzes to determine their ability to recall the conjugations. We want to see what they can actually DO with the language. This allows them the creativity and freedom to really show their understanding. Plus, it’s just a LOT more fun!
2. Boom Cards
These self-checking cards are a really easy way to see if students are understanding the material. Students can get immediate feedback as they practice using the imparfait and passé composé together.
Use Boom Cards™️ for:
Homework
Early finishers
Quizzes
Whole-class game play
Because they are device-based, they can be used during remote learning, too!
3. Speaking cards
These are just my favorite, because students need to get a lot of time to speak. It’s not always easy to come up with questions on the spot, and these cards can be used so many ways. Use one of the formal activities in the packet for a whole-class activity that kids will love.
Here’s my favorite way to use them:
1. Print and cut out the questions, and give each student a question that they will ask to the class.
2. If space allows, have the students form two circles. The inside circle should face the outside circle and each student should have a partner. If you have an odd number of students, just rotate a student in after each round. If you don’t have space (I never do!) just have them make two lines facing each other.
3. Pick a side/circle to start asking the questions. All students should respond as thoroughly as they can, and always in complete sentences!
4. Switch sides.
5. Rotate one student to the left or right. Only one circle or line will move during this activity.
6. When finished, collect all questions, then ask the class to give sample answers.
Other super-easy ways ways to use these cards:
Have an extra 5 minutes? Keep these cards on your desk and do some informal Q and A as an effective and low-prep time filler.
Teaching remotely? Use flipgrid to have students record responses to questions and use those as a formal or informal assessment.
All of these resources, as well as a no-prep grammar packet, are part of my Imparfait bundle of resources available at TpT.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the bundle!
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