mots usuels - 1ière, 2ième, 3ième

Whether or not the use of grade level word groups or families for teaching reading and spelling is pedagogically sound is something I continue to consider.  For now here they are, we use them.  They are useful for remediation.  Grades 2 and 3 are not yet in sound families or any logical groupings (which kind of seems strange but these are the district lists we have).  I have ordered the grade 1 list into a sequence and into sound groupings that make sense to me.

Does your school district suggest a list of benchmark words for reading and spelling in French Immersion?

Grade 1 list

Grade 1 flashcards

Grade 2 flashcards

Grade 3 flashcards

The coolest part is that the size of the flashcards is perfect for sliding into the library checkout envelopes that I stuck onto our 'Work With Words' kits posted here.

dans mon sac-à-dos

Classroom vocabulary for the beginning of the year to post on items in the classroom.  Students make their own labels and post them all over the room the first week of school.  We label throughout the year as students think of new words they need to know.

Dans mon sac-à-dos printable

If you trim construction paper to 8.5x11 it usually won't jam the photocopier.

September vocabulary review, what's in your backpack?  

Labeling is a learning strategy I use with the younger grades and I refer to it as a "bits and pieces" project or "les petits morceaux".  I insist with students that this is a legitimate, first-steps way to present learning on a topic.  In kindergarten students drew in their journals and as they progressed labeled their pictures with words from around the room or visual dictionaries.

Labeling is an  un-intimidating way for students to begin to write.

Students illustrate and label what's in their backpack using some pre-printed labels.  They also made their own labels and added goofy items to their packs.

Later on in the year during a Fairy Tales unit students can design back packs for a character from  a fairy tale.  What would the big bad wolf carry in his pack?












































Many classrooms have the "Lire-tôt" and "Mille-feuilles" reader series, I included two titles below that complement this vocabulary review.












The last title is "Juno" from Mille-feuilles.

A rap to review the vocabulary!

Madame J in our school made these using white glue on construction paper and chalk pastels.  Students could design their own backpacks using this technique.

les journaux de mathématique

All of the math journal printables here

I have posted these individually throughout my blog.  Every month is included in this post with some changes to better suit the math strand studied at the time.  Some in the photos are for Kindergarten, some for grade 1.  The printable gives further explanation.

Math journals can be used to end a unit.  When they are related to the season or topic of study students enjoy a 'craft' with another curriculum based purpose.  Students begin by making a cover once they have learned about ABA, ABBA, and ABC patterns in September.  Once the journal is complete and in a portfolio or bound students have a book to read and take home at the end of the year.

This idea originated on a site called Kinder by Kim.

Cover of the Journals (patterning in September).  Coloured strips of construction paper were pre-cut, students cut them into squares. 

écrire une lettre

Work on writing in grade 1 first term - what can they write?  Personal letters using a template to get started.



What do writers write?  Lists, cards, notes, stories and personal letters. Fun and simple in grade 1.



























In June we practise addressing envelopes.  Each student addresses an envelope to themselves.  We draw names and students secretly write a letter to the person whose name they drew.  Over the summer I mail their letter with this form in both French and English to encourage them to write over the summer.

I also include a similar template I found for young students to review a book.  I should post a French version of that one too.

clear target writing assessment

Grade 1 and 2 writing assessment                         

Clear target assessment for writing with learning goals provided in clear student-friendly language.  Every written piece can't be assessed but teachers can periodically add a comment and attach this assessment to journal entries and writing pieces to be reviewed and signed by parents.  Reading and writing continuums provide detailed assessment of skills throughout the year and for report cards.

The following file is a general assessment used at the end of first term in grade 1.  The file also includes a copy for parents with a note explaining the assessment.

daily five work with words

à lire, à bâtir, à écrire carte - read, build, write (printable)

"À lire, à bâtir, à écrire" work with words literacy kits and centres for use during Daily Five.  Print double sided, laminate and add to work with words literacy kits.

The secret to children is routine + novelty, it's a fine balance.  Put out a few and rotate.

See below for making words with clothes pins, lego, unifix cubes, velcro letters, and ink and stamps.

The reverse side suggests putting the words in alphabetical order.  Sheets are narrow and trimmed to fit into the small kits pictured below.

These kits are time consuming to put together but only cost about $5 each in materials.  They are small enough for a student or 2 to work on independently.

Once you download and print the files perhaps a parent volunteer can make some for your classroom.

Sound Blend Word lists (printable)  

As students learn the sound blends beginning in January these are our "base" words.  When students become more proficient they identify words in the books they read that contain each sound blend and can use their own words during work with words.

Cut up these lists fit in library envelope that I attach to the top of the Work With Words literacy kits.

Students may also choose to practice with word strips from around the room.

iPad (printable to 11x17)

The iPad is laminated for use with dry erase markers (glue a good sized pom-pom to the end of a dry erase marker for a convenient eraser).

Read, type, write on one side, put in alphabetical order on the other.  A natural progression would be for students to write sentences or short stories using their words.

I upload these documents to Staples Print and Copy Centre for nice crisp copies.  Laminating is done at school.

Use the full size page in the document above and print it onto regular weight paper (2 sides), laminate, and use on a cookie sheet with magnetic letters.

I glued a photo of how the kit should be used and how it should be put away so that students know the expectation.  It takes time and teaching but my students know how to use, care for, and store materials.

I bought the plastic containers at the dollar store so that time isn't spent searching for letters.  Magnetic tiles can be ordered from Really Good Stuff, old scrabble tiles, bananagram letters, anything you can find.

Containers are bacon containers from the dollar store.  Here letter stamps from Winter Green are used.

The clothes pin kit and sheet has 'build' first so that pins can be clipped to the top or to the edge of the container, there are 2 of each consonant in each kit, 4 of each vowel.  The pins are clipped onto a paint stir stick that's easy for students to hold in one hand and unclip with the other.

• for velcro version print off 2 sets of letters, one is laminated as is, one is cut up and letters are affixed to the card with velcro, less hunting for letters more spelling practice!
• kit contents are printed onto 65 or 100 lb cardstock
• a bag of 'extras' is also a good idea for each kit (last photo

les 70 et les 90

70 and 90 posters (only a few numbers as examples)

home practice flash cards

Madame Zolondek taught me this trick and it's magical for those few students who just can't seem to get reading the 70 and 90 numerals in French.  Here are some posters to demonstrate the trick for students.

Here are some handy school or home practice card kits.  They are printed on different colours of card stock with suggestions on how to use them in English with the idea that parents will also understand the task.  They are gathered onto a ring for practice.  The plastic containers are butter boxes from the dollar store.

Use these cards for Word Work to practice reading and writing numeral words.  Making the kits are time consuming so have them returned when students are through with them.  Or, send home the printed sheets and have students make up their own kit.