Teaching the Calendar in French Class

Teaching the Calendar in French Class 

Bienvenue! As French teachers, one of our essential tasks is to guide our students in understanding the language's cultural aspects, including the concept of time. Introducing the calendar in the French class not only equips students with practical language skills but also opens a gateway to the rich cultural traditions and celebrations that occur throughout the year. In this blog post, we will explore creative and interactive methods to teach the calendar in the French class, ensuring that our students embrace the beauty of French timekeeping.

 

Start with the Basics:

Begin by introducing the French names of the days of the week and the months. Use visual aids and interactive activities, such as flashcards or matching games, to help students associate the names with their meanings. This step lays the foundation for further exploration of the calendar. Students can practice their knowledge with these French puzzles for days of the week, months and seasons.

French calendar vocabulary puzzles

 

Seasonal Vocabulary:

Teaching the calendar provides an excellent opportunity to introduce seasonal vocabulary in French. Explain the unique characteristics of each season and the corresponding months. Engage students in discussions about weather changes, typical activities, and holidays associated with each season.

 

Interactive Wall Calendar:

Create an interactive wall calendar in the classroom with movable date cards. Each day, have a student update the calendar by announcing the current date in French. This hands-on approach helps students grasp the concept of days, months, and dates more effectively.  Try this French Flip Calendar or Pocket Chart Cards.

Flip calendar and pocket chart cards

 

Daily Routine in French:

Incorporate daily routine phrases related to the calendar. Teach expressions like "aujourd'hui" (today), "demain" (tomorrow), "hier" (yesterday), and "le week-end" (the weekend). Students can use these phrases to describe their plans and activities in French. A daily routine like Prof Du Jour is an excellent way to incorporate daily authentic speaking in the target language, increase student participation, student engagement and help your students gain confidence.

 

Special Dates and Celebrations:

Introduce significant dates and celebrations that hold cultural importance in French-speaking countries. Highlight national holidays, regional festivals, and other events observed throughout the year. Discuss the traditions associated with each celebration to deepen cultural understanding.

 

Birthday Celebrations:

Use birthdays as a fun and personal way to teach the calendar. Encourage students to share their birth dates in French and organize mini birthday celebrations in the classroom. This activity builds camaraderie and reinforces the use of dates in real-life contexts. Older students may enjoy learning to write the dates of celebrities’ birthdays. Check out this fun print-and-go activity.

practice writing the date with celebrity birthdays

 

Create a French Calendar Project:

Assign students a calendar project where they create their own French calendar for a specific month. They can include important dates, cultural events, and illustrations reflecting the season. This project not only enhances their language skills but also encourages creativity.

 

Teaching the calendar in the French class is more than just a linguistic exercise; it offers a window into the culture and traditions of French-speaking communities. By incorporating interactive activities, seasonal vocabulary, and cultural celebrations, we can make the learning process engaging and memorable. As our students navigate the months and days in French, they not only develop essential language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of the French-speaking world. So, let's embark on this calendrical journey with our students, where language and culture harmoniously unite, enriching their understanding of French in every passing day. Bon voyage! (Have a great journey!)