July 14  is France’s Independence Day. Celebrate Bastille Day with a download of the French National Anthem–la Marseillaise!

Use your own judgement when teaching children the words to France’s anthem. A wee bit violent, in my humble opinion.  Here’s the first verse and chorus:

As an alternative for young beginners, you can download a simplified version of the anthem from the Sing, Dance, Laugh, and Eat Quiche CD.  Click this link and look for “le drapeau français.”  The melody is la Marseillaise, but the lyrics are simply about the colors on the French flag.  No bloody flags or slit throats!  My choice for early elementary.

Learn more about the French National Anthem at LaMarseillaise.com

Bonjour!  Are you a parent or a teacher looking for a fun, age-appropriate activity to teach the kiddos about France’s Independence Day?  Well, I’ve got just the thing for you–French-themed coloring pages.  FREE . . . or as they say in France GRATUIT (if you pronounce it correctly it almost rhymes.)  

All you need is a computer, a printer, and box of crayons.  Use your imagination and you’ve got your very own French “staycation.”  

For added flair, kids can create their own fireworks on any one of these printables.  After coloring, make fireworks designs in glue and sprinkle on the glitter.  Sure, it’s messy, but don’t all kids love a little glitter?

Enjoy some Bastille Day creativity with the kids:  

Fete-Enfants.com, a French site, has a wonderful selection of Bastille Day Coloring Pages.

Crayola’s web site has a Friendly Flags coloring sheet, including both the French and American flags.

Here is a resource for a variety of Parisian monuments:  Free Printable Coloring Pages Featuring Paris, France

The Pixar movie Ratatouille has some nice French-themed coloring pages, too.  Go to this page on Coloring-Book.info.  If you’re just looking for a nice Eiffel Tower (no rats) scroll down about halfway and you’ll see one of my favorites.

And don’t forget to check out Bastille Day Crafts for Kids.  My kids and I are making bleu, blanc, rouge lanyards and bracelets out of pony beads.  Then we’re making a French Flag Cake for the preschool.  Délicieux!

Happy Bastille Day!

Photo Credit:  ppditigal at http://morguefile.com/archive/?display=12789&

Bonjour = Hello
Bonsoir = Good Evening
Bonne Nuit = Good Night (before bed)
Salut = Hi
Je m’appelle = My name is . .  .
Comment ça va?= How are you?
Ça va très bien. = I’m doing very well.
Ça va bien. = I’m doing well.
Comme ci comme ça = So-so
Ça va mal = I’m doing badly.
Au revoir = Goodbye
Bon weekend = Have a good weekend

Check out this article for fun ways to introduce greetings to kids.  Enjoy a happy Bastille Day!

Photo Credit:  clarita at http://morguefile.com/archive/?display=142373&

I just love holidays.  The emotional connection makes learning memorable.  But as a French teacher, I’m a little sad that I’ve never gotten to celebrate Bastille Day, the French Independence Day on July 14.  You know . . . Marie Antoinette, “Let Them Eat Cake”, la Marseillaise, fireworks, and all that good stuff!  Well, I’m not THAT sad.  Summer vacation is the ultimate perk of a teacher, after all.  

But this year is a little different.  I’m volunteer teaching French at a day care this summer.  And Monday is Bastille Day!  We’re practicing French colors, waving flags, making crafts, and eating French flag cake.  Can’t wait.  If you don’t have students right now, create a cultural celebration for your own family.  Check out these articles for Bastille Day ideas.  

Bastille Day Crafts for Kids:  This July 14, teach your children about Bastille Day as you create easy French flag crafts together. Make flags to wave, to decorate, to eat and to wear.

How to Make a French Flag Cake for Bastille Day:  Celebrate the French Fourth of July. France’s Independence Day is July 14. Create a fun and festive French flag cake for the occasion. Let them eat cake!

Vive la France!

Photo Credit:  Kevin Rosseel http://morguefile.com/archive/?display=213907&