French Adventure: Rainbows and Numbers
Lesson Overview
Target Age: 8 years old (2nd Grade)
Duration: 30 Minutes
Subject: French as a Second Language
Goal: Students will learn to count from 1 to 10 and identify primary colors in French through movement, music, and play.
Learning Objectives
- Count aloud from 1 to 10 in French (un to dix).
- Identify and name at least five colors in French.
- Respond correctly to physical commands using French numbers and colors during "Jacques a dit."
Materials Needed
- Device to play two 2-minute videos (Numbers and Colors)
- A set of colored objects (crayons, blocks, or colored paper)
- A small ball or beanbag
- Success stickers or a "Passport to France" stamp
Success Criteria
Learners will be successful if they can:
- Count to ten alongside a partner or teacher.
- Point to the correct color when the French word is spoken.
- Follow a command like "Touch 3 blue things" in French.
Part 1: The Magic of Numbers (10 Minutes)
Hook: "Bonjour! Today we are going to unlock the secret code of French numbers. If you can count to ten, you can tell me how many croissants you want for breakfast!"
I Do: Play the 2-minute video on French numbers. The teacher/parent models the pronunciation clearly: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix. Use fingers to show the amount while speaking.
We Do: "Le Ballon des Nombres" (The Number Ball).
- Gently toss a ball back and forth. Each time someone catches it, they say the next number in the sequence (1-10).
- Challenge: Try counting backward from cinq (5) to un (1) like a rocket ship taking off!
Scaffolding Tip: For 8-year-olds, "quatre" (4) and "huit" (8) can be tricky. Compare "huit" to the sound of "wheat" to help them remember!
Part 2: The World in Color (10 Minutes)
Transition: "Now that we have our numbers, we need to know what we are counting! Is it a red apple or a blue bird?"
I Do: Play the 2-minute video on French colors. Introduce the key vocabulary:
- Rouge (Red)
- Bleu (Blue)
- Jaune (Yellow)
- Vert (Green)
- Rose (Pink)
- Orange (Orange)
We Do: "Chasse aux Couleurs" (Color Hunt).
- The teacher calls out a color (e.g., "Trouvez quelque chose de bleu!").
- The student has 10 seconds to find and touch something that color in the room.
Part 3: Jacques a Dit & Creative Play (10 Minutes)
You Do: Now we combine numbers and colors for the grand finale!
The Game: "Jacques a dit" (Simon Says)
- Explain that in France, "Simon" is "Jacques." If Jacques says it, you do it. If he doesn't, you stay still!
- Commands to use:
- "Jacques a dit: Touch trois (3) things that are rouge."
- "Jacques a dit: Jump cinq (5) times."
- "Jacques a dit: Find un (1) thing that is jaune."
- "Touch something vert!" (Wait to see if they catch that Jacques didn't say it!)
Creative Recap: Give the student a piece of paper. Ask them to draw their favorite animal using their favorite French color and write the number of legs it has in French (e.g., a "rose" cat with "quatre" legs).
Conclusion & Assessment
Summary: "Today you learned how to count to ten and name the colors of the rainbow in French! You even followed Jacques' instructions perfectly."
Quick Check (Formative Assessment): Hold up three fingers and ask: "Combien?" (How many?). Point to a blue object and ask: "Quelle couleur?" (What color?).
Closing: End with the vocabulary they already know: "Merci! Au revoir!"
Differentiation Options
- For Struggling Learners: Focus only on numbers 1-5 and the three primary colors (Rouge, Bleu, Jaune). Use visual cards with the word written on the color.
- For Advanced Learners: Introduce the word "et" (and) to combine colors (e.g., "bleu et rouge"). Challenge them to count by twos (deux, quatre, six...).