Unit 2 French 1: Self and Family Unit (about 3-4 weeks)

Wiki pages for the unit:

This unit culminates in student ability to physically describe themselves and their family members, giving basic facts such as age, likes and dislikes, and family relationships.

Unit 2Main Resources

Almost all of the unit resources are linked/housed on the wiki page cited above. They include links to practice exercises and videos, and a variety of authentic French sites. In addition, students received a packet in the form of a «unit manual», with a variety of exercises , vocabulary lists with crossword puzzles, word sudokus (etc.) and basic explanations necessary to the themes covered in the unit. Other resources include a song packet with ditties and songs intended to help memorize vocabulary and internalize grammatical structures, a variety of realia and hand-held manipulatives (dice to throw and count out,etc.), interactive powerpoints requiring student responses (both individually and in pairs), coloring sheets, family tree outlines. The following video clips samples were also used as listening exercises and for cultural content (students listened for familiar words and the gist of the message ).

Arbre Généalogique

llona Mitrecy – Un Monde Parfait

Cousinade – la Famille au complet

Ohio Academic Standards Addressed in this Unit:

  1. Communication

Benchmark A, (interpersonal) grade 9 : Exchange information via letters, e-mail/video mail, notes, conversations or interviews on familiar topics (e.g., school events, weekend activities, memorable experiences, family life).

Benchmark G , grade 9 (interpretive): Use a variety of reading and listening strategies to derive meaning from texts.

Benchmark J (presentational, grade 9):Present differences in products and practices (e.g., sports, celebrations, school life) found in the target culture.

Benchmark K (presentational, Grade 9)

13.Apply age-appropriate writing process strategies (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing).

2.Cultures

Benchmark B, Grade 9 Participate in and discuss a wide variety of cultural practices(Interact appropriately in social and cultural situations )

  1. Comparisons

Linguistic, Benchmark A, Grade 9: Analyze and discuss how various linguistic elements are represented in the target language and English (e.g., past tense, cognates, gender).

Cultural, Benchmark C: Compare and contrast social conventions of peers in the target culture and students’ own culture (e.g., dating customs, school, family and leisure activities).

Essential Questions:

  1. How can I give basic information about myself and others, including age, physical description, likes and dislikes?
  2. How do I describe family relationships?
  3. How are family roles and relationships structured in France?
  4. What types of support by the government are available to families in France?

Thematic vocabulary:

  1. Numbers to 100
  2. Family vocabulary
  3. Body parts
  4. Colors
  5. Basic adjectives for describing size, weight, and other characteristics of physicality and personality

Grammatical accuracy:

Rules for use of adjectives

Verb avoir and continued practice with etre

J’aime/je n’aime pas + infinitive (a variety of common verbs in the ER family)

Activities:

  • Introduction and practice of the thematic vocabulary and grammar structures via gestures, songs, games such as “Simon Says”, paired and group activities, whole class discussion and questioning, role plays, information gap activities, flash cards, powerpoints, listening/repeating exercises
  • Video and audio listening/viewing for familiar words and phrases and for getting the gist of a message
  • Drawing /Labeling
  • Groups of students form imaginary families, decide upon their roles, and present themselves (each introducing other family members and explaining the relationships) to the class.
  • Students create individual written posters to show and describe their relationships with other members of their imaginary families
  • Short and simple cultural readings in French
  • Short homework exercises with emphasis on PRACTICE of what has been learned in class and sharing this learning (i.e. teaching it) to one’s family and friends.

Sample Activities by Communicative Mode:

Interpersonal
Speaking / Interpersonal Writing / Interpretive
Listening / Interpretive
Reading / Presentational
Speaking / Presentational
Writing
Paired, small group, whole group exchanges and role plays relating to vocabulary and functions under study / A note to the teacher describing a favorite family member or friend / Video clips from French news sources and films / Short writing in French about how family names (last names) are derived / Students introduce themselves and other members of their imaginary family to the whole class, giving information about each person (age, role in the family, etc.) / Each student creates an individual family poster to explain the relationships among people and give their likes, dislikes ages and physical descriptions

Unit assessments:

Summative:

Frequent quizzes and a written unit test

Student created family posters and oral presentations of family members

A role play presented to the class (introductions, exchanging information)

Formative assessments – ongoing teacher questioning, observation and monitoring of class discussions and activities, bellringer and exit slip activities, completion of homework and in class exercises, self assessments via written notes to the teacher , and a note to the teacher about a family member or friend

Differentiation needed for this unit:

Tasks and processes were differentiated, with every effort made to include a constant variety of approaches and tasks geared for multiple intelligences and learning styles (singing, movement based activities, games of rhythm (finger snapping and tapping), activities involving art, and group, paired and individual work, etc.). The unit content will be continually recycled in subsequent units and the teacher will use various techniques such as grouping, work with individuals, etc. to ensure that all students successfully master content.

Instructional methods

Modeling, listening/repeating drills, whole class and individual questioning, cooperative games and activities in pairs and groups, role plays, singing, use of realia, use of the internet for interactive practice and for listening/viewing activities

Interdisciplinary Connections:

Social Studies, Music, Math, Art, Music