You may have noticed that I don't teach a lot of new grammar in my classes.  I find that it takes students a long time to fully understand a new structure.  Even if it is an idea that they have been taught in the past, it takes a considerable period of time to fully understand the nuances of the idea and begin to change the way they speak and write, incoporating the new structure.  In many cases, students have developed incorrect ways of speaking in earlier years.  The mistakes that they made...
Continue reading ...

First period today Mr. Morrassut had an assembly for all elementary students to remind us of some school routines and rules. These routines and expectations have been posted in all classrooms. With the exception of hall passes, these are not new rules.  We are simply restating them and encouraging students to make wise choices.  (1) Arrive to class on time prepared.  Other people are waiting.  Bring what you need for two periods.  (2) Head phones, i-pods and other electronic devices should no...
Continue reading ...

Congratulations to the following students in class 71FI who received honour roll for first semester:  Julila BJ, Sydney, Rebecca, Jessica, Julia H, Jack, Jared.  Students in 81FI receiving honours are:  Kendra, Matthew, Adrien, Iori, Bailey, Rebecca, Gabrielle, Kate and Jarret. These students were recognized during our Talent Show and Recgnition Assembly on the Friday before March Break.  Bravo, les enfants!  Vous devrez être fiers de vous-mêmes! Vous avez très fort travaillé pour atteind...
Continue reading ...

Thank you to all the students who worked hard to organize and perform in the elementary talent show this afternoon.  Special congratulations to Magical Magician Steven J, his helper Sam N, amazing dancer Julia H and Sydney F, an excellent MC.  It was a great show with lots of fun and talented acts!  Bravo, tout le monde!  Encore!  Encore!

Continue reading ...

As you may know, in class 81FI we have been working on improving our spoken French throughout the year.  One of the ways that we have done this is to watch several movies. With each movie, we study its vocabulary in depth and then prepare skits using the new words and expressions that we have learned.  I have been very very impressed with how many new words and expressions the students are adopting into their French.  Now when we prepare skits, it is not uncommon for a student to use new voca...

Continue reading ...

Congratulations to both 71FI and 81FI for their work during the last several months of school.  Both classes have shown lots of growth in many ways.  Bravo, les enfants.

Have an excellent March Break.  For those who are travelling, I wish you "Bon Voyage".  For those who are staying close to home, have a relaxing and refreshing March Break.

There is NO HOMEWORK for both classes during the break.  Amusez-vous bien, tout le monde!
Monsieur
Continue reading ...

I am very pleased with the improvement that the students of 71FI are showing.  They speak French in class almost all the time.  Their reading skills are greatly improving.  They have greatly improved their understanding and use of the present tense. 

Our primary focus in second semester will be to refine our speaking skills.  We will be doing a wide variety of activites to gain confidence and clarity in our spoken French.  Today we started doing an activity called "Mini débat".  Students bra...
Continue reading ...

Students of class 81FI received a progress report and a letter with some explanations.  This is a new idea that I am trying this semester.  To  help students keep a tighter reign on their incomplete assignments, I will be trying to send home a monthly progress report.  Please ask your son or daughter about this letter.  It has lots of important information.  Thanks!  Monsieur
Continue reading ...

I have been so impressed with the growth that I have seen in class 71FI this year.  They have shown an incredible amount of improvement in many many ways.  For example, today when they came into class, many students gave me the signature form from the February Feedback progress report immediately, even before I asked for it.  Many students came into the room quietly and began reading their novels quietly or working on their next article assignment. Some students went to the library to renew t...

Continue reading ...

Today I sent home with the students of 71FI a progress report for the month of February. It is called February Feedback.    It includes a list of activities that I have evaluated since the last report card went home. The report also includes marks that your son or daughter received on each of these activities.  If there is a zero for the mark, it means that I did not receive the activity.  If there is an R, it means that the student completed it but did not demonstrate adequate understanding....
Continue reading ...

Here is something new on the website.  I thought that I would try including a blog so that I can provide observations and hints for parents of the students in classes 71FI and 81FI. 
Continue reading ...