PIP Proposal

Inquiry Question
To what extent would a French club increase student’s interest in not only learning another
language and expanding their knowledge of different cultures, but also in increasing
relationships and camaraderie between various ages of students ranging from Grades 6-8
through communication.

Rationale
As an English Language Arts teacher, one of my main goals within my class is to give students
the ability to communicate with each other, whether that be by using writing, reading, speaking,
listening, representing or viewing: the 6 strands of ELA. Communication is a staple in creating
relationships and becoming part of the larger society, which means that ensuring that students
have the skills to communicate are extremely important. I believe that by creating a French club
in which students will also be subjected to these 6 strands, students will have the ability to
strengthen their communication skills. Because the language is unfamiliar to them, they will be
forced to focus on different ways to communicate, which will allow for deeper connections
between the different members of the French Club. The goal for this club is to allow students in
Grade 6 - 8 to form connections with each other where they otherwise might not have, using the
6 strands of communication skills that they learn within this club.

Additionally, French is a subject that I have a deep passion for. It is a language that I learned to
speak when I was their age and a subject that I still have so much passion for. The ability to
express myself in another language and learn about a different culture is something that I love
and I want to pass that love on to my students as well. Plus, French and English are the two
national languages of Canada, which allows me to feel more connected with the rest of my
country.

Creating a French Club is also connected to the school’s needs. The principal mentioned to me
that the school currently does not have a class or club that fulfills the second language
requirement, which means that this club would also benefit the school as well. Additionally, the
way that the school is laid out, the Grade 6s have little interaction with the Grade 7s and 8s and
this club, where all grades can join, can be beneficial to help create relationships and
connections between all these groups.

Spread the Word

● Make the club known by having principal announce in during morning announcements
● Posters
● Talk about it with my Grade 6 students
● There is a tv in the main student area, have an announcement for it on there
Timeline
● February 27th - First Day back after Reading Week, have club in
announcements/posters up
● February 29th - First Meeting at lunch, have a count of how many students show up.
Take a survey of what the students want to learn.
● February - March - Introducing students to common phrases and simplistic objects
(shapes, colors, food)
● March - April - Introducing students to French entertainment: movies, songs, shows,
books. Also incorporate some of the things that the students want to learn.
● April onwards - Give students some more entertainment to continue after I am gone.
Potentially a project. Someone else who can continue the club after me.

Implementation Plan
● Every Wednesday, for 15 minutes at lunchtime, we will hold a French Club
● Will do the same theme/subject for 2-3 weeks
● After students are a little more familiar with the language, we can start learning songs
and watching entertainment.
● Tell the students about France - Places, culture, food, inventions, etc.
● Is there a way to get the club
● Can also have Culture Days:
○ Make lunch for the kids with traditional French food - Is there a way for us to
make the food together? Stay after school one day
○ Play French games: pétanque
○ Practice days: ordering stuff at a French market, at a restaurant, at the zoo
○ Presentations about specific French-things
○ Building competition of Eiffel Tower: straws, popsicle sticks, etc.
○ Have French ‘festivals’
■ Berck-sur-Mer International Kite Festival - Fly Kites (Do this in April)
■ Menton Lemon Festival - Wear yellows and oranges, do something with
citrus
■ Nice Carnival - similar to Mardi Gras
■ Festival Medieval de Sedan - Medieval tournament - can do jousting
tournaments, banquets, etc.
■ Festival of Lights, Lyon - how would I do this?
● Possible Themes/Subjects to teach the students. Ask which they would prefer:
○ Shapes
○ Colors
○ Food
○ Animals
○ Common Phrase: Hi, How are you, I am good/bad, my name is ___, I am ___
years old, etc.
○ Family members
○ Clothing
Research
● My own knowledge and experience
● Other activities online
● Use my own French teacher for inspiration