Resources
Web Sites
Il était une histoire This French educational site provides stories, poems and songs, along with recordings and activities for each one. Some stories have the option of reading along with the recording: words are highlighted and the illustrations change as the stories move along. There are also sections with extra information; for example, a fictional story about a weasel is followed by factual information of weasels and their habitats. Some texts have a "Jouer" section that involves multiple choice comprehension questions. Listening is an important first step in the development of oral language. This website can be used individually by children at a listening centre, or by the entire class on an interactive white board. Texts can also be printed and used as reading activities. French Sounds The biggest difference between teaching phonics in English and French is the vowel sounds. Although English has 14 or 15 depending on the dialect, and French has 8 or 9, the vowel sounds are written very differently in the two languages. This website gives an easy-to-read chart of the French vowels (8, so this is French from France that doesn't distinguish en from in like in Quebec), as well as all of their possible spellings, recordings, and example words. The site also gives activities to check your listening distinction skills, which are important to do with beginners. Roll an Emotion Give students sentence strips and this handy poster and they're on their way to reading with expression! This activity can be modified for younger students by choosing a picture of a face with a certain emotion out of a jar. |
EcoKids
This bilingual website has project ideas in French that teachers can use with their students to help the environment.
This bilingual website has project ideas in French that teachers can use with their students to help the environment.
Books and Teacher Resources
Premiers pas en littératie - Des centres de littératie dès la maternelle
This book available for purchase lists and explains how to create French literacy centres in the early years. This would be a great resource for the Word Work centre.
Jolly Phonics Teacher Checklist
A self-assessment for teachers to make sure that they are completing everything that needs to get done in the Jolly Phonics program, and that their students are getting the instruction they need. Questions range from "Is there regular practice of the letter sounds, including digraphs?" to "Is the class being taught how to hold a pencil correctly?". Jolly Phonics provides many other free parent and teacher resources.
Les Centres de littératie
Another book detailing how to implement French literacy centres.
Exemples de mise en application de la littératie en santé
A document following school boards in each of the provinces, giving examples of how they successfully changed their literacy programs to benefit students.
If kids repeat words...
An article giving the results of a study showing the importance of having children repeat words they are read.
Scolastic in French
Lists of French books available for purchased, including the leveled AlphaJeunes.
Beginning French Reading Resources
A list of book series in easy-to-read French.
Assessment documents
What oral and written French should sound like and look like at different stages.
Listening Resources
Bookaboo: La fête du Dragon
Bookaboo, the dog who plays drums in a rock band, won't perform unless someone reads him a story. Quebecois celebrities read the dog a story before each of his shows. Great to show the whole class on the smartboard, or for students to watch individually or in pairs at the technology centre.
Editions Nord Sud
13 read alouds with a Belgian accent, with videos showing the illustrations.
Reading A-Z
Hundreds of leveled books in French available in PDF to print or to show on the smartboard. Suggestions on how to use the book to teach the different food groups.
Litterature Primaire
Texts, plays, songs, poems and more. By French grade level.
Il était une histoire
See description above under web sites.
Raconte-moi une histoire
Hundreds of children's audiobooks in French. No video or text.
Bookaboo: La fête du Dragon
Bookaboo, the dog who plays drums in a rock band, won't perform unless someone reads him a story. Quebecois celebrities read the dog a story before each of his shows. Great to show the whole class on the smartboard, or for students to watch individually or in pairs at the technology centre.
Editions Nord Sud
13 read alouds with a Belgian accent, with videos showing the illustrations.
Reading A-Z
Hundreds of leveled books in French available in PDF to print or to show on the smartboard. Suggestions on how to use the book to teach the different food groups.
Litterature Primaire
Texts, plays, songs, poems and more. By French grade level.
Il était une histoire
See description above under web sites.
Raconte-moi une histoire
Hundreds of children's audiobooks in French. No video or text.