Welcome students and families to a blog I started years ago and which I have decided will be the easiest way to share resources and expectations going forward as we all learn how to learn from a distance!
First and foremost- your health (including mental health) is the most important. The government is asking each K-6 student complete 5 hours of work per week. Try doing 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon each day. By all means, do more if you like and are motivated. The five hours is for literacy (English and French), Math, Science and Social Studies. However, I do feel that continuing to learn and practice the arts is important and I plan to offer options for that too. Moving your body is important like you do in Phys.Ed., so I might ask you to make a rainy day exercise routine or a map of where you walk. Prayer is important and so is being grateful for our ongoing blessings and I will definitely ask you to do both in French! In addition, life skills like helping around the house with cleaning and cooking are important, especially these days! I might ask you for a recipe or an easy cooking video with your parents' help. Playing games and having fun is important, so expect to see these kinds of activities be included in "homework" as well! (Yes, in French!) These and many more activities can be done in French, talked or written about in French and researched or followed in French. We have already done many of these kinds of activities in class, especially during centres so students should be pros and leaders in their own learning!
Self-directed study is also encouraged, but please don't forget to share what you do! For example, my son became interested in sign language watching press conferences and seeing the person signing in the background. He also made some stop-motion videos. I know one of my students is writing a book and I believe another is writing stories for her brother. If you make a French version of a story or video, send me a copy! If you draw a picture, share it and write about it in French. If you learn a new skill like looming or build a fort in your living room, write about it in your journal using lots of details like size, colour and steps involved.
Don't forget to continue using wordreference.com and bonpatron.com to help with your writing. DO NOT use any online translators including Google translate or DeepL!!!! This takes away from actual practice writing in French and is a form of cheating. As always my rule is work at your own level. I want to see and give feedback on your (the students') French, no matter how short or simple. I do not feel the need to give feedback on the online translator's French :)
Finally, let's be creative and also patient. This is a new experience for all of us. I am excited to see our remote learning journeys (including my own!). Now, as in class, making an effort is my most important expectation. Êtes-vous prêts? On commence!
