Can any French teachers/Heads of French help me out

[tintinenamerique]

I'm Head of French in a prep school (reception to year 6) and feel I've lost my mojo somewhat. I'm not the most creative of teachers (my strengths lie in being organised/getting admin sorted and I'm not bad in getting my subject across in the classroom). I do feel I need to up my game a bit and come up with some new and exciting teaching ideas.

One thing that is hanging over me and I will have to start planning is our biennial French day (early next year).

Can anyone share any good ideas aside from (or in addition to) to normal 'dress up/French assembly/get outside company in to do French theatre'.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Are you on Twitter? If not, get yourself on Twitter and follow a load of French teachers. You'll get loads of creative ideas delivered to your computer every day without having to lift a finger!

Some teachers out there are amazing and very generous with their resources.

That's really helpful. Thank you

Possibly this is very run of the mill, but we have done it at our school with a French café. Students take turns ordering /serving simple things like croissants.

my children's school did a French day once - each classroom had a shop title and they did different activities on a carousel basis, according to what was sold in the shop. Some of it was just colouring, but they also made Eieffel Towers and brought home French numeracy worksheets, that kind of thing. They also had the cafe activity and dressed in French colours for the day. It would take some organising but would be enjoyable for the students if you could pull it off.

I second Twitter. Also Pinterest. Also Facebook (there is a primary MFL group - probably more than one!)

How about doing an art activity? I had the children making sunflowers using collage materials, seeds etc to create a provencal landscape. Playing boules was also v successful.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the carousel idea and I definitely could incorporate more (some) art into my lessons. Thinking back to the French day I did a couple of years ago, maybe I can reuse some of my ideas with some new ones - it's ok to repeat some activities isn't it?

Thanks again

Definitely join the 'languages in primary schools' facebook page - there is always masses of support and ideas covering all sorts. It's very addictive though, sometimes you feel overwhelmed by all the good ideas.