Here are the wonderful classes I teach this year:
*Second Grade (Wegg, Welf, and Shelton);
*Fourth Grade (Blackwell, Osby, Wilkinson, Yarbrough).
Our next French Food Day will take place during the schoolwide MARDI GRAS
CELEBRATION ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012. Due to Presidents' Day holiday, we
had to schedule our big "fête" for a week after the real Mardi Gras.
Each class will spend 30 minutes in the gym with four or five other classes,
singing French songs, eating Kings' Cake (Louisiana style), and receiving
special treats.
ABOUT TUTORING
*Tutoring is always on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm - 3:30 p.m.
Students will be invited to French tutoring sessions by the teacher if they
are new, need to finish a project or class assignment or if they are
struggling to grasp the concepts presented in the current thematic unit.
Because I teach two different levels at the two campuses, I'll offer tutoring
at least once a month to second graders and fourth graders. During the other
two weeks, I'll be hosting and co-facilitating the 4th and 5th grade French
clubs.
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN FRENCH CLASS...NEW OR NOT
The best advice I have to offer new and experienced French students, alike,
is to pay close attention. You've heard the saying that 85% of life is just
about showing up. Well, this is almost true for French classes at Sarah
Smith. You need to do more than show up; you've got to participate daily.
The point I am making, is that students have the responsibility and the
opportunity each day to take risks by speaking, reading, and writing as much
French as they possibly can. Self-motivation and determination make the
greatest difference.
Parents, I challenge you to ask your child a few times a week to share with
you something he/she learned in class. This demonstrates that you value
foreign language as a part of your child's overall school experience.
Sometimes, students just need to know that their teachers and parents are
holding them accountable.
Other tips:
Make flash cards at home of classroom vocabulary, numbers, or phrases from
the current thematic unit.
Watch a DVD in French sometimes. It's as simple as switching the language.
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If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at:
tdbyrd@atlanta.k12.ga.us.