Lessons
Preschool Ice Cream Cone Counting Lesson in English, French, Spanish, and More
Use a yummy ice cream theme to teach preschoolers how to count from 1-10 in a new language. Prepare a felt ice cream cone and ten variously colored (“flavored”) scoops. During the lesson, continually review and add on new numbers as the ice cream cone gets bigger and bigger and bigger. After the felt board [...]
French Tree Parts Song
My content-based kindergarten language learning continues with a little French lesson about trees. The song is to the tune of “Ten Little Indians” and it’s meant to be acted out with gestures/TPR:
Chorus:
Racines, tronc, branches, feuilles
Racines, tronc, branches, feuilles
Racines, tronc, branches, feuilles
Voici un bel arbre!
Roots, trunk, branches, leaves,
Roots, trunk, branches, leaves,
Roots, trunk, branches, leaves,
Here’s a nice [...]
Planting and Gardening Lesson in French, Spanish, and Other Foreign Languages
I am getting so many great content ideas for my French lessons by following my son’s kindergarten curriculum. Today, I taught a simple lesson about planting flowers. A grade level expectation is that children understand what plants need to grow: soil, water, and sunlight. I came in with all of my “stuff” . . . [...]
Foreign Language Hand Washing Lesson for Early Elementary
When I sit down to plan my weekly French lesson in my son’s kindergarten class, I always begin by checking in with his teacher to see what themes, concepts, and skills I can reinforce. This past week the kids have been learning ways to take care of themselves: safety, brushing teeth, visiting doctors, washing hands [...]
Elementary Foreign Language Recycling Lesson: Celebrate Earth Day in French, Spanish, and More
Earth Day is April 22, and I’m already cooking up an environmentally-friendly lesson for kindergarten French this week. Here’s the plan:
1. Regular warm-up. I’ll be sure to bring my calendar so that I can show my students the date of Earth Day.
2. Introduce the globe. I have a nice inflatable [...]
Kindergarten Farm Animal Lesson in French, Spanish, German, and More
Today was “French Friday.” My son’s kindergarten teacher came up with the name for my weekly volunteer visits to the class. Cute, huh? I am so proud of how well these monolingual kids are catching on to their new language. Although the exposure is very minimal, I still speak only French once the lesson begins. [...]
Preschool Foreign Language Monkey Lesson
I just have to tell you about my preschool French lesson today! I’ve been teaching in one form or another since 1988, so whenever I come up with something new I feel happy and excited. (It doesn’t take much—I’m easily amused!)
Anyway, here’s my spur of the moment monkey lesson:
After the usual warm-up of hello songs, [...]
Preschool Game to Learn Family Members in French
When teaching preschoolers, I find that the simplest, most repetitive activities are often the best. Here’s a simple French game that was a hit with my 2-6 year old students. First, create individual pictures of these family members:
un frère – a brother
une soeur – a sister
Maman – Mom
Papa – Dad
Set out the family pictures [...]
