Let's Learn French!

Objective

Students will be able to recall and use the names of the days of the week in French, focusing specifically on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday while briefly reviewing Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Curriculum Framework

The lesson aligns with the UK National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages, focusing on developing basic vocabulary and pronunciation skills in a foreign language, as well as building confidence in speaking and listening.

Key Standards:

• Language Acquisition: Recognising and producing familiar vocabulary.
• Speaking and Listening: Engaging in conversation and responding to questions.
• Cultural Awareness: Understanding how language operates in daily life.

Materials Needed

• Flashcards with the names of the days in both French and English.
• A large calendar (can be handmade).
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Sticky notes in various colours.
• A musical instrument or music player for a lively song.
• Worksheets with fill-in-the-blank and matching exercises.

Class Structure (50 minutes)

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Greetings: Start with a lively greeting in French, encouraging students to respond.
2. Recap of the Week: Display a large calendar. Ask students to name the days of the week they learned previously (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). Write them in French: Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi.
3. Introduce New Days: Introduce Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday using flashcards (Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi, Dimanche). Pronounce each day clearly, encouraging students to repeat after you.

Activity 1: Days of the Week Song (10 minutes)

1. Introduce a fun, catchy song about the days of the week in French.
2. Teach the actions that accompany the song (like clapping, jumping, or spinning) to make it more engaging.
3. Sing together, repeating it at least twice to reinforce the vocabulary.

Activity 2: "What Day Is It?" Game (15 minutes)

1. Setup: Place the large calendar at the front of the class. Students sit in a circle.
2. Instructions: Go around the circle, with each student saying the name of a day in French. If the student says a day incorrectly, the class can help by correcting them.
3. Introduce a twist: If a student can correctly say what activity they do on that day, they can add a sticky note to the calendar! For example, "Samedi" might get a note that says "football".
4. Rotate until all students have contributed.

Activity 3: Matching and Fill-in-the-Blank Worksheet (10 minutes)

1. Hand out worksheets that include matching French and English days of the week and a fill-in-the-blank section where students fill in the days they learned.
2. Encourage group work: let the four students huddle together to discuss the answers.
3. Quick check: Review answers as a class, allowing students to raise their hands for corrections and confirmations.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Review: Recap all the days learned in French, having students repeat after you.
2. Exit Ticket: Each student chooses one day of the week and writes it on a sticky note, then shares with the class what they enjoy doing on that day in French.
3. Closure: Reinforce the importance of learning new languages and how fun it can be. Ask students to think of one place they might use French in their lives.

Assessment

• Informal assessment through participation in the song and games.
• Reviewing the worksheets for understanding and the correct usage of vocabulary.

Differentiation

• For advanced students, encourage them to create simple sentences using the days alongside actions (e.g., "Jeudi, je vais à la piscine").
• For students needing additional support, provide vocabulary cards or visual aids to refer to during the activities.

Reflection

At the end of the lesson, encourage educators to reflect on student engagement and the effectiveness of hands-on activities in reinforcing language learning concepts. Adaptations can be made based on individual student needs and responses.

By incorporating active participation, creativity, and teamwork, we create a vibrant learning environment that encourages students to engage with French in a fun and memorable way.