Teaching the passé composé is one of my favorite French units. There is so much to cover, but suddenly, students are not stuck in the present tense. It really opens up what we can talk about with our students. As they learn the passé composé, I sense a certain relief when they find more freedom […]
New Year’s Resolutions for students
Starting back after winter break is always so stressful. There is so much to do, sunlight is scarce, and students have been home for weeks. I like to ease back into teaching with a few activities that really help students regroup and get ready for the new year. These New Year’s Resolutions for students are […]
5 fun and quick activities for French class
There are so many fun things to do in French class, but it’s really easy to fall into the same pattern. I’ve got some favorite activities for French class that have really helped me keep students engaged over the years. It feels safe when we know just what to do, but it’s always fun […]
Should you assign homework?
Should you assign homework? It’s a debatable topic in education today, and in my opinion, the answer is maybe. It really depends on the class, the age of the student, and the reason for the homework. I don’t feel comfortable making a blanket statement that homework is absolutely necessary or totally bad, because I do […]
French fall teaching resources
It doesn’t have to be hard to bring seasonal vocabulary into the classroom, but if you do, the work should be meaningful. Sure, it’s fun to decorate for the season, and all students love playing games, but isn’t it more effective when the new vocabulary helps them practice the skills you need to teach? […]
10 French songs for fall
C’est l’automne ! These French songs for fall are a fun way to bring some seasonal vocabulary into your classroom this autumn. Below, you’ll find a list of songs with links to some of my favorite fall-themed chansons to use in your French class. Just click any link to find the video at Youtube. These […]
5 fun ways to teach French er verbs
Teaching French er verbs can be fun and engaging, but it’s really important to make conjugation accessible to all students. For many students, this might be their first exposure to French verb conjugation, verb charts, and subject pronouns. They’ll need step by step instructions on just how to do it, but they’ll also need interesting […]
Open house night tips
It’s back to school time, and at a lot of schools, this means Open House Night. As a secondary teacher, I always felt rushed during Open House, because the schedule often demanded that parents visit many teachers. I repeated myself several times, met tons of parents, and left totally exhausted. I’m a natural introvert, so […]
French Reading Comprehension
Learning to read in French doesn’t have to be intimidating, and neither does teaching French reading comprehension. With effective reading strategies, students will gain the confidence and skills to read French texts on their own. Whether I was an FSL teacher or a French immersion teacher, reading comprehension was always a big part of the […]
8 tips for introverted teachers
Teaching is a rewarding and amazing job. Working with young people, teaching a subject we love, and teaching kids to love learning is a huge task to take on, but it’s so worth it. It’s never an easy job, but when you’re an introverted teacher, the constant stimulation can be a real challenge. It’s really […]
