One of our main initiatives has been the creation of French Days which are tailor made theme days held at primary schools. The days are generally scheduled for the end of the academic year in July due to many of the curricula activities winding down. This however is not set in stone and if another day is best for your school then I would be happy to arrange an earlier date.
The day is structured into planned events and games and an array of different activities. At the end of the day we have found that a short assembly is beneficial in finding out what the children learnt and liked best about the day. There is also a French certificate presentation for the best costume, best French speaker or best 'taking part' pupil in each class - the choices are up to you.
The costs of the day can be kept down by maybe charging a small fee for each child that dresses up. Food testing during these days are a firm favourite with the children and is under strict supervision of our staff - if food is required then it is provided by us and incorporated into the overall cost of the day.
A new venture (details to come shortly) will be schools participating in 'French Teas'.
French
Day - General Programme
The Day consists of varied and fun activities based
around a choice of 4 themes that are rotated on a yearly basis. Our last
2 themes were 'Food in France' and 'Art in France' (please see photo albums
on this page) and we also have 'Bastille Day' and 'Le Tour de France'.
French games can be played along with Language topics, learning songs,
and other French related subjects specific to your chosen theme.
I or a member of my team would come to your School in the afternoon before you plan to hold your French Day to decorate the school with French posters relating to your theme - balloons, French flags, French signs as well as writing on the board the date in French and greetings all add to the 'flavour' of the day!
On the day a member of my team or myself would like to be there first thing in the morning to welcome the pupils in French at the door. I would give the school several days before the French Day a template of a 'passport'. Each child would have to fill it in prior to the day and on the day the passport will have to be presented to be stamped to let them in to 'France' for the day! The children are encouraged to dress up in either blue, white and red, or something typically French relating to the theme.
Benefits
The benefits of these days are endless - it re-establishes any French
already learnt, teaches the children about French history and it's cultural
differences aswell as giving the children a fun and rememberable day.
Through play and fun we have found that childrens knowledge and understanding
of French benefits greatly.
Please use the following links to view our Photo Albums of these special days:
