Seasons and Months

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Write simple sentences from memory and adapt them to express ideas about seasons and months in French.
• Use the third person plural form of the verb être correctly in written and spoken sentences.
• Answer questions orally and in writing using modelled sentences in the context of seasons and months.

Success Criteria

• I can write answers to questions in complete sentences in French.
• I can use ils sont correctly to say what season multiple months are in.
• I can answer questions orally with a sentence model.
• I can recognise and correctly spell key vocabulary related to seasons and months.
• I can read sentences with dyslexia-friendly materials without difficulty.

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National Curriculum Links

• Languages KS2 - Years 3 & 4
  Pupils should be taught to:
• Understand and express simple opinions about familiar topics, adapting known language to create new sentences (NC: MFL 2014, KS2, Spoken language - engage in conversations; express ideas clearly)
• Use simple phrases and sentences to describe the weather, seasons, and months (NC: MFL 2014, KS2)
• Understand and use basic grammar rules such as the third person plural form of verbs, particularly être (NC: MFL 2014, KS2)
• Write simple sentences from memory and adapt them to the context (NC: MFL 2014, KS2, Writing)

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Resources

• Seasons Cards (1 set per group)
• Small Season Cards for calling out during the game
• Seasons Activity Sheets (differentiated)
• Whiteboard and markers
• English-French dictionaries or printed word lists
• Dyslexia-friendly printable vocabulary sheets (clear font, spacing, colour-coded syllables)
• Tally chart and block graph papers
• Drawing materials (paper, crayons, pencils)

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Preparation

• Print and laminate Seasons Cards and Small Cards.
• Prepare the Seasons Activity Sheets with word banks and sentence starters.
• Set up the room for the Stations Game by placing season cards spaced around.
• Create dyslexia-friendly reading materials with colour contrasts and spaced fonts.
• Arrange drawing materials for the creative activity (Draw it).

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Learning Sequence (30 minutes)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Activity: Quels sont les noms des saisons ?

• Use the lesson presentation to introduce the names of the seasons in French with images.
• Repeat pronunciation chorally.
• Show the spelling, highlight that months and seasons are lowercase in French.

Differentiation:

• Provide dyslexia-friendly flashcards with pictures and large font for vocabulary.

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Main Activity 1 (7 minutes)

Activity: Jouons ! Stations Game

• Play music while children move around stations showing Seasons Cards.
• When the music stops, call out a season name loudly using a Small Seasons Card.
• Those at that station are "out" until the last remains.
• Purpose: Listening and vocabulary recognition with physical engagement.

Differentiation:

• For lower-attaining students, pair with a buddy to support listening and movement.
• For higher-attaining students, ask them to say a sentence aloud, e.g. "L’hiver est froid."

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Main Activity 2 (10 minutes)

Activity: Les mois et les saisons

• Recap months names aloud with children; use the calendar or images.
• Ask questions like: "Dans quelle saison est juillet?" Children respond: "Juillet est en été."
• Introduce third person plural: "Dans quelle saison sont avril et mai?"
• Model answer: "Avril et mai sont au printemps."
• Write sentences on the board showing structure and use of ils sont for ‘they are’.

Differentiation:

• Sentence starters and word banks provided on children’s sheets.
• Use visuals showing months grouped by season.
• A scaffolded worksheet for weaker learners with tick boxes to select months and seasons.
• Extension: Challenge advanced learners to create their own sentences with months and verbs.

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Main Activity 3 (6 minutes)

Activity: Allez-y ! Seasons Activity Sheet writing task

• Children write sentences answering "Dans quelle saison est... ?", using word banks, sentence starters, and model sentences.
• Encourage use of ils sont for plural months.
• Support with individual help where needed.

Differentiation:

• Early finishers can write sentences using additional months or create a short paragraph about their favourite season, including activities in French with help from dictionaries.
• Dyslexia-friendly sheets use font Arial or Comic Sans with spacing and contrasting backgrounds.

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Plenary (2 minutes)

Oral assessment:

• Ask 3-4 children to answer questions orally using full sentences, e.g., "Dans quelle saison sont décembre et janvier?"
• Praise correct use and pronunciation of ils sont.

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Extension Activities for Early Finishers and Advanced Learners

• Create a mini-poster of a favourite season with the months and sentences about activities.
• Write a short descriptive paragraph using ils sont and verbs learned previously.
• Use an English-French dictionary to find and add more seasonal vocabulary (weather words or hobbies).

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Differentiation Strategies

• Use mixed-ability groupings to encourage peer support.
• Provide sentence starters and word banks for those with weaker writing skills.
• Dyslexia-friendly resources for reading and writing support.
• Scaffold speaking activities with model sentences.
• Challenge advanced learners to adapt sentences and add new vocabulary independently.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Monitor oral responses during games and plenary to assess speaking and understanding.
• Review written sentences for correct use of ils sont and spelling of months/seasons.
• Provide verbal feedback targeting grammar usage and sentence structure.
• Use the tally chart and block graph for informal assessment of understanding favourite seasons in French.

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This lesson plan fully aligns with the National Curriculum KS2 2014 MFL requirements for Year 3 & 4, focusing on communication, grammar, reading, and writing about familiar topics in a clear and engaging manner. It balances kinaesthetic, oral, and written learning, ensuring accessibility for all learners including those with literacy difficulties.