What's New for French Teachers?

It has been a while since I have been posting on this blog, but I have been busy! The first major project that is nearing completion is the new nallenart.org site.

While the site won't be completely ready for a few more weeks, already there are many free resources posted for homeschoolers and classroom teachers alike. I will be posting more announcements about this in the weeks to come.

Meanwhile, take advantage of the podcasts, slideshows, and downloads that are now available. You must register to access the site, but registration is free!

Les Transports

Les Transports Workpages C$9.95

Announcing a new book in the Nallenart Workpages series! Les Transports offers reproducible pages on the theme of transportation. Puzzles, vocabulary, verb review, and more. Suitable for grades 3-8. 24 Pages. $9.95 CAD Available as an instant download. Clicking the Buy Now button will take you to a Paypal shopping cart. After entering your payment information, you will be provided with a link to a downloadable pdf file of Les Transports. You will also receive an email link to your downloadable file. Abode Reader is required to access your ebook.

AVOIR Workpages

Nallenart is pleased to announce a new product to help you teach and review the verb avoir, to have. Available as an instant downloadable file, Avoir Workpages provides an assortment of reproducible exercises at different levels to provide your students with extra practice for this essential verb. Many of the pages provided are taken from Nallenart's popular curriculum, L'Art de LIRE.

View Avoir Workpages sample pages

Avoir Workpages

C$9.95

OCHEC Homeschooling Convention

If you are in the area or are planning to attend, come and say hello to me at the Ontario Christian Home Educator's Convention in Hamilton, Ontario this Friday and Saturday. I will have a display in the exhibit hall so you can have the opportunity to see and purchase Nallenart French Curriculum products.

BnF - La bibliothèque nationale de France

Did you know that you can access the digital version of the National Library of France online? It's called Gallica and contains newspapers and other periodicals as well as classic literature. It's a fun place to explore!

http://gallica.bnf.fr/

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Have you downloaded your sample curriculum pages yet? Visit Nallenart for your French curriculum needs.

French for High School - Sample Pages

Now available!

I am excited to announce that Nallenart's French for Grade 9, L'Art d'ECRIRE, is now available.

Download your free sample pages today!

Homeschooling Conference

Thank you to those who attended my seminar and who had such encouraging comments during last weekend's homeschooling conference in Kitchener, Ontario. It was a treat to see so many past customers and to meet many new people throughout the day.

When I first started homeschooling back in 1983 it was practically unheard of. When I first started speaking at homeschooling conferences in the 1990's I had to spend much of my time reassuring parents that, YES, this really did work; it would not leave your children socially inept, nor would they necessarily have an inferior education... quite the contrary!

Now, home education has a proven track record. Many homeschool graduates have gone on to shine at colleges and universities. They are known and appreciated by professors for their excellent work habits, their creative thinking, and their high levels of self-confidence.

If you are still just considering adding French as a second language to your homeschool agenda, let me encourage you to take the plunge! Nallenart curriculum is designed for homeschools and used in classrooms also. It is a gentle but progressive program with a proven track record.

Visit Nallenart for more information.

Grade 9 French: L'art d'écrire

I am excited to announce that Nallenart's program for first year high school, L'art d'écrire, has gone to press.

Sample Pages will be posted soon!

Available April 6, 2009.

Available soon: L'art d'écrire for high school

I am thrilled to announce that L'art d'écrire for high school will soon be released! The program will be available at the K-W Christian Home Educators' Conference in Kitchener, Ontario on April 4, 2009.

L'art d'écrire is based on the Core French Curriculum Guidelines for Grade 9 in Ontario. Along with the usual grammar and vocabulary, L'art d'écrire has a strong theme of self discovery. Students are encouraged to examine their dreams, goals, personalities, and strengths through personality tests, career quizzes, and writing.

The course also takes an initial look at some of the enduring classics of French literature such as Cyrano de Bergerac and the novels of Jules Verne.

More information will be available soon on our website, Nallenart

Homeschooling Conference - KWCHEA

For those of you who are able to attend, I will be speaking and exhibiting at the KW Christian Home Educators' Conference in Kitchener, Ontario. Come and see me on Saturday, April 4, 2009.

For more information visit the association website at www.kwchea.ca.

La Ferme: Wordless Book

Nallenart's Wordless Book La Ferme is now available as a download from Nallenart's Lulu Store. No shipping charges and instant delivery!

Follow the link below:

La Ferme eBook

La Ferme is a Wordless Book designed to teach French to children who are not yet ready to learn to read in French. Children learn to tell the story by learning the vocabulary and sentences in the script provided with the Teacher Guide in the book. Lesson plans teach farm animals, greetings, weather words, emotions, etc.

La Ferme is still available in our online store as a Wordless Book, Teacher Guide, and CD in one package. Visit Nallenart for more information.

The Benefits of a Second Language

There is more to knowing a second language than just the possibility of carrying on a conversation with someone who doesn't speak English. There is more than just the possibility of travel to exotic places and being able to mingle with the locals.

Learning a second language offers an amazing glimpse into the way people in other cultures think and process information. It has the side effect of knocking the learner out of the center of the universe. We discover that it is okay that someone else has a different way of looking at things. It is a fascinating and delightful experience to see the world from someone else's perspective. Learning a second language makes this possible.

It's a BOY! Hunter Philip

I'm going to take this post to announce the birth of my grandson, Hunter Philip, born at home Friday, March 13 at 15:51. I had the enormous privilege of being present at his birth, watching him crown, and hearing his first cries. I am grateful to God for this precious new addition to our family.

I am also filled with a fresh admiration and respect for his mother, my daughter Lisa. She is a wonderful wife to her husband Dan, and mother to 22 month old William. She also provided the adorable illustrations for Nallenart's Wordless Books Ma Famille and La Ferme.

All four of my grandchildren were born at home. Perhaps I can give a little credit to all those years of homeschooling for having made my girls such independent and fearless women. I am so thankful for all my children and grandchildren, and would appreciate your prayers for little Hunter and his mom.

Thank you for sharing my joy!

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

L'Art de LIRE - Level 1

L'Art de LIRE combines beginning conversational French with an introduction to French phonics, enabling children to read simple stories in French from the first lesson. Includes verb conjugations, grammar, and conversational French.

Each 80 page Student Workbook features a French-English glossary, easy to understand explanations of new grammar concepts, and exercises. 8 1/2 x 11 pages. Additional workbooks can be ordered separately. The CD walks the student through the workbook, giving opportunity to hear and repeat all the vocabulary and sentences. Unit Tests are included with workbook. Flashcards can be hole-punched and be strung on a metal ring. The Teacher Workbook is a copy of the student workbook with answers filled in. Includes 1 Student Workbook, 1 Teacher Key, Set Flashcards, 1 CD.

There are six levels of L'Art de LIRE. Explore the possibilities at Nallenart.

Crossword Puzzles

Are you working through L'Art de lire level 1? Take advantage of the free online crossword puzzles at Nallenart!

• Mimi la souris - Vocab


• Mimi la souris - Verbs


• Le Sac - Vocab


• Bonne Annee - Vocab


• Les Cerises - Vocab


• La Tortue - Vocab


• Les Couleurs

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

Making Conversation

For some homeschooling teachers, the challenge in teaching French as a Second Language is just in making everyday conversation. Not every homeschooling parent has the fluency required to do this comfortably. Don't let this hold you back!

Children need to see you making the effort as well, even if your own French language skills are a bit rusty, or even non-existent! Practice with your children as much as possible, making the things you are learning part of your daily interactions whenever you can.

Perhaps you know an older child in your family, neighbourhood, or church who has studied French and who would be willing to come and play games and speak French to your children in return for some pocket money.

Consider starting a French Club, or co-op with other homeschooling families. The children can practice their French together.

Play Hot Potato (patate chaude!). Toss a beanbag back and forth. When you catch the beanbag, it's your turn to say something in French!

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

Wordsearch Puzzles

Are you working through L'Art de lire level 1? Take advantage of the free online wordsearch puzzles at Nallenart!

• Mimi la souris - Vocab


• Mimi la souris - Verbs


• Le Sac - Vocab


• Bonne Annee - Vocab


• Les Cerises - Vocab


• La Tortue - Vocab


• Les Couleurs

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

Free Resources at Club Mimi

Take advantage of the free resources available at Club Mimi!

There are free lessons, quizzes, wordsearch and crossword puzzles, and podcasts available to help you teach French!

Plus, there are interesting links that you can follow. See what flowers are blooming in impressionist painter Claude Monet's garden at Giverny! Or take a Virtual Tour of the Eiffel Tower and download free games and worksheets while you're there!

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

Downloadable eBook

Want instant gratification? Jétudie avec Mimi is now available as a download from Nallenart's Lulu Store. No shipping charges and instant delivery!

Follow the link below:

Jétudie avec Mimi eBook

J’étudie avec Mimi is a fun coloring and activity book to teach young children beginning French vocabulary. Animals, food, transportation, weather, etc.

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Visit Nallenart for more French educational materials.

Random Numbers

When teaching numbers in French, be sure to drill the numbers randomly. Many children can count well, but still have trouble naming numbers out of order when they encounter them. Here are some ideas to help you drill numbers randomly.

• Write the numbers on slips of paper and draw them out of a hat. Name them.


• Draw numbers and use them to make number sentences, eg.: deux plus cinq font sept. (2 + 5 = 7)


• Use dice for number recognition (1-12) and to make number sentences.


• Use arithmetic flashcards, saying numbers in French. Make sure the math is easy though. Don't challenge the child in two ways at once! Low budget? Make your own flashcards out of cereal boxes.


• Use the number cards from a deck of playing cards, shuffling and naming them out of order. Again, you can make your own cards to drill any numbers you want.


• Arrange the number cards from a deck of playing cards face down in a grid and play Concentration, trying to match number to number.


• Play Go Fish with the number cards.


• Play Bingo in French.

Have fun playing with the French numbers!

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

Free Sample Pages

L'Art de LIRE combines beginning conversational French with an introduction to French phonics, enabling children to read simple stories in French from the first lesson. Includes verb conjugations, grammar, and conversational French.

$195.95 USD

Each 80 page Student Workbook features a French-English glossary, easy to understand explanations of new grammar concepts, and exercises. 8 1/2 x 11 pages. The CD walks the student through the workbook, giving opportunity to hear and repeat all the vocabulary and sentences. Unit Tests are included with workbook. Flashcards can be hole-punched and be strung on a metal ring. The Teacher Workbook is the student workbook with answers. Includes 6 Student Workbooks, 6 Teacher Keys, 6 Sets Flashcards, 6 CD's. Extra workbooks available. Levels may be ordered separately. Supplementary material may be ordered separately.

Download your free L'Art de LIRE Sample Pages from Nallenart

Too Old to Learn French?

While studies confirm that there is an ideal time to learn language, when a child is very young, that doesn't mean that people of any age can't undertake and benefit from second language study. It just means that a different approach must be taken.

While immersion at a young age is the most natural way to learn, older students benefit from a more planned and progressive program in order to ensure success. Learning is built upon previously absorbed concepts, and affirmed through repetition and practice.

Context provides an important advantage to the learning process. Stories that use the new language in a natural way reinforce the new structures and vocabulary and make learning fun and interesting.

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Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French Curriculum for your school or homeschool.

L'Art de DIRE

For children in grades K to three, L'Art de DIRE is a great introduction to learning French. Detailed lesson plans, reproducible teaching aids and a totally oral approach make this book ideal for teaching French to children who are not yet ready to learn to read in French. The CD provides a guide to pronunciation of the vocabulary and lessons in the book. Book and CD also sold separately

• Lesson plans are flexible to allow for daily, weekly or twice weekly lessons
  
• Lesson plan pages are designed to facilitate frequent review, the key to success in language studies.
  
• Projects and presentations for the children keep learning interesting.
  
• Prepared tests make it easy to measure progress.
  
• Reproducible picture cards and games make learning fun.
  
• L'Art de DIRE  includes ideas for bulletin boards.
  
• Ideas are adaptable for home or classroom use.
  
• CD introduces vocabulary and phrases.
  

ISBN 0-9689172-6-7

Published by Nallenart - www.nallenart.on.ca

Welcome to French 4 Homeschool!

This blog will explore the possibilities for great fun and lasting learning by adding French language studies to your homeschool.