Vive la rentrée!

We had a great first week of school! To launch the year with the JK / SK students we sang welcome songs: Bonjour les amis!. On the other hand, we discussed responsibilities, routines and good manners at school with Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) and we challenge Upper Elementary (Grades 4 and up) into more French interactions that review grammar and several questions.

In the IB (International Baccalaureate) program, our transdisciplinary theme is "Who Am I?" I will be driving the following inquiries that are based according to the Central Ideas of each grade.

JK:

Central Idea: "My personal and physical characteristics make me unique".

Inquiries: -How do I differ from others?

-How can I describe a person in French?

-How can I take care of myself and develop my own characteristics?

VOCABULAIRE DE BASE: Les Parties du Corps (Body parts) et La Nourriture (Food).

SK:

Central Idea: "We use our 5 senses to discover and interpret our self and the world around us"

Inquiries: -What are the five senses in French?

- How can the 5 senses guide me to express my feelings and basic needs in French?

LES CINQ SENS: 1.La vue (Je regarde), 2.L'ouïe ( J'écoute), 3.L'odorat (Je sens), 4.Le toucher (Je touche), 5.Le goût (Je goûte).

Grades 1/ 2:

Central Idea: "People living around the world all have relationships, rules and responsibilities they respect and follow".

Inquiries:-How can we express rules and responsibilities in French?

-What responsibilities should I take in order to learn a new language?

-How can I use French to help me relate to the people who surround me?

EXPRESSION: "Il faut ..." + verbes réguliers.

Grade 3:

Central Idea: "Our well being is dependent on our attitudes, actions and words".

Inquiries: -How do I introduce myself and others in French?

-How can we use our words to be friendly and well mannered?

-How can we name objects (safe or unsafe) in my close environment and ask for help?

VOCABULAIRE: Salutations in French and "MOTS MAGIQUES" (Magic Words).

VERBE: Devoir (I have to ...) AFFIRMATIVE: Je dois ... / NÉGATIVE: Je ne dois pas...

Grades 4/5:

Central Idea:"The actions and behaviour of every individual can make a significant impact on other elements in the world."

Inquiries:-Where could we live?

-What are the different types of habitats?

-What do living things need in order to survive?

VOCABULAIRE: LA MAISON (the house) and other types of habitat for living things.

EXPRESSION: "J'ai besoin de..." (I need ...)

Grades 6/7/8:

Central Idea: "All countries in the global community are made of different elements that are essential to their success".

Inquiries: -Where is French spoken?

-What's the importance of learning French in our global world?

-What makes the Francophone places different from others around the world?

VOCABULAIRE: Les institutions, Les professions.

SENTENCE'S STRUCTURE AND QUESTIONS: Qui? Quoi? Où? Quand? Comment? Pourquoi?...

This will be an exciting and busy year; I look forward to work with our fabulous team at St. Jude's Academy, our students and parents. If you have any questions please don't excitate to contact me at school sjimenez@stjudesacademy.com.

Bonne Rentrée pour l'année 2011 - 2012!