Blogging en Francais

French...A dot, a click and your done!

French and teachers of other LOTE subjects have always been searching for new ways to bring authentic resources to the aid of their students. What could be easier than a resource that they have already become familiar with, use on a regular basis and might just actually enjoy using? L'internet, bien sur! More specifically blogging brings the classroom and all of its immeasurable resources right into the hands of your students. ~Amuse-toi!~


1. Class Portal:
The principal will be happy because your saving paper, the parents will be happy because they no long have to stress about pulling teeth to find those dreaded lost parent letters that are somewhere in the bottom of their childs' locker, the students will be happy because they can track their absent work or lost project rubric online and you will be happy because the copying, handing out, recollecting business has all be minimized to the click of a button. Using class portals puts the use of the class syllabus, rules, curriculum, assignments, powerpoints, rubrics and other endless documents right on your page for all to view. These easily viewable documents are a simple way to connect teachers not only with their students, but parents, guardians and administration all at once.

2. Showcase Showdown
Consider its a museum, a library and a personal tutor all in one. The audio and visual aspects of blogging are endless when considering how they can positively reinforce students along the way. Whether it is posting class pictures and allowing students to comment in a more secure "Facebook" type atmosphere, posting links that allow students to do listening activities at home, "Youtube" videos that show editorials to helping with homework or missed lessons, interactive games that provide additional practice, or showcasing pictures of well-done class projects or assignments, these resources are keeping the kids signing on to a familiar resources for academic reasoning, while keeping parents informed and proud of their childs' progress.

3. IBlog
Just as we have discovered a few benefits of the internet in our classrooms, students too may find enjoyment in producing their work in different forms. Long gone are the days of in-class speaking, writing with a pen and paper and opening the dictionary to find the French equivalent. Letting the students create use their own blogs as a chance to turn in papers, voice-threads, even video projects and journals allows the new and exciting opportunities. Commenting on materials covered in class also allows insight for us as teachers that we may not have received before. Allowing students to maximize their creative abilities in different modalities will enable each of them to be successful. By creating their own blog, they have a physical and visual record of their progress throughout the year. Fellow classmates should have the opportunity and even graded task of commenting on each others pages-modern-day learning!

NYS LOTE Standards Applicable to these 3 options:
Standard 1: Students will be able to use a language other than English for communication.
Standard 2: Students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings.

Picture: An example of a picture from example 2 that may be uploaded by a teacher. (Me with Avon students at a middle school dance).