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Have you ever had a student completely shut down during a math lesson—not because they didn’t understand the math, but because they couldn’t read the word problem? In French primary classrooms, this happens all the time . Word problems are meant to help students apply their math skills in real-world situations. But for students still learning to read in French, traditional word problems can quickly lead to frustration, confusion, and a loss of confidence. If this sounds familiar, keep reading—because there’s a simple shift that can make a world of difference: using decodable math word problems that are designed for early readers. The Problem: When it Comes to Word Problems, Reading Gets in the Way of Math Many of our young learners have the math strategies they need—especially when it comes to addition and subtraction within 10. The real struggle? Reading and understanding the actual problem. Here’s what makes traditional French word problems so challe...

The beginning of the school year is full of excitement… and pressure. We want our students to feel successful, we want routines to click, and we want to set the stage for a strong year of literacy growth. But here’s the thing—when it comes to teaching reading in French, especially those tricky complex sounds , many of our students aren’t ready to jump straight into leveled readers or memorized sight words. They need a gentler, more supportive approach. They need practice that builds confidence one step—and one sound—at a time. If you're looking for an easy way to boost decoding skills right from the start of the year, let me introduce you to a resource that’s become a game-changer in my classroom: Super Simple French Decodables – Complex Sounds Mini Books. Why Most “Early Readers” Are Too Hard Have you ever handed a beginner reader a book labeled “Level A” or "Niveau 1" only to watch them struggle with almost every word? That’s because many ea...