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Showing posts from July, 2025

Launching Reading Groups in French Kindergarten with Confidence

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Starting reading groups in maternelle can feel mega overwhelming. You want your students to learn how to read, and not just memorize or guess. You want your lessons to be engaging and effective. And if you’re working in French, you know there aren’t many plug-and-play tools that align with the Science of Reading and actually work for young learners. For example, the levelled readers you're probably supposed to use that are absolutely FULL of sounds your students haven't learned yet. Here’s the good news: launching reading groups in French kindergarten doesn’t have to be complicated or chaotic. With a few key strategies (and the right tools), you can build a strong foundation that supports decoding, fluency, and comprehension, right from day one. Let’s walk through how to set up your small group reading block with confidence and introduce strategies that stick. What Do Reading Groups Look Like in Maternelle? Small group reading sessions in maternel...

French Vocabulary Routine: How to Create One that Your Students Will Love

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Do you ever find yourself scrambling to teach French vocabulary on the fly, or struggling to build a French vocabulary routine that you love? You’re not alone. Vocabulary is a huge part of building strong French speakers and readers, but when we’re balancing multiple subjects, assessment deadlines, and classroom management, it’s easy to let intentional vocabulary teaching fall through the cracks. That’s where a year-long mot du jour routine can be a total game-changer. With just a few minutes a day, you can introduce new vocabulary consistently, build student confidence, and create a classroom culture where students love using French. Let’s dive into how it works and how you can make it your own. 🧠 Why Vocabulary Growth Is Crucial for French Learners Vocabulary is the foundation of all communication. Students need a strong bank of words to: Understand classroom instructions Express their thoughts clearly Read + comprehend stories and non-fic...