Franco-Fun: A weekly tip to help connect your family to French learning experiences. Brought to you by your School Council French Ambassadors.
November 13 The “French as a Second Language Homework Toolbox” is a an excellent resource for your family that includes audio files in French and English, video clips demonstrating instructional strategies, a reference guide for specific topics, a list of French language learning websites and more. http://www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca/
November 20 Are you looking for additional French Books, Audio Books or Videos to enjoy? The Richmond Hill Public Library Branches and the Aurora Public Library have an excellent collection of French material for all ages. Check out their catalogues and drop by a branch. http://www.aurorapl.ca/ http://www.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/RHPL/
November 27 Admission is free to the Salon du Livre (Toronto Book Fair), held from December 2-5 at the Toronto Reference Library, 289 Yonge Street. On Saturday December 5 starting at 9am you can enjoy activities for children and youth such as music and presentations by francophone children's authors and the Geronimo Stilton mascot, a screening of Le Petit Nicholas by CineFranco and dynamic booths of youth literature and francophone organizations. http://www.salondulivredetoronto.ca/index.php/programmation-adulte/samedi- 5-decembre
December 7 “A Treasure Chest for Families New to French Immersion” is a 43-page resource that includes tips on oral and written French, French music and online resources. http://www.ddsb.ca/Programs/FrenchImmersion/Documents/Treasure_Chest_Bo oklet_Audio.pdf In addition, the Mini TFO Website has great French videos and games for your Grade 1-2 child. http://www.tfo.org/en/mini-tfo
December 11 Toronto’s only French bookstore opened last week: Librairie mosaïque, 24 Spadina Road. Can’t make it downtown to shop for French books? Try Canadian Education Warehouse open to the public at 226 Industrial Parkway North, Unit 5, Aurora. www.cew-eec.com In addition, Montréal’s Archambault has a huge online selection: http://www.archambault.ca/jeunesse-ACH410501000000-fr-ct
December 18 Grade 8 students can be fully immersed into a French-speaking environment by participating in a 9-week Exchange to Switzerland or France. Starting at age 13, students can also participate in 3-week Summer Exchanges to Québec and Switzerland or 4-week exchanges to France. Please visit http://iseontario.on.ca/ for more details.
January 11
Many francophones around the world are celebrating La Fête des Rois this week where they gather with friends and family to eat the Galette des Rois (Cake of the Kings.) The guest who finds a small dry bean or ceramic figurine in their slice is crowned king of the party and must host the following year. Prepare an easy version of this cake by using vanilla cake mix and placing a dry red kidney bean in the batter. Cut a paper crown to place on the head of the recipient of the King’s slice. This song can be sung as you cut the cake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6R3gW3KSpg
January 18
Windham’s Carnaval d’Hiver (Winter Carnival Day) is coming up next month! The Carnaval de Québec is one of the world’s largest winter carnivals. Here are some children’s activities and a PowerPoint to get you excited about this yearly tradition. https://carnaval.qc.ca/educational-kit/crafting
January 25
Visit Canadian Parents for French Ontario's new website - FrenchStreet.ca, a new and one-of-a-kind searchable database of French program enrichment opportunities for students to experience through the arts, interactive workshops, field trips, educational and cultural exchanges, community events and more. http://www.frenchstreet.ca/
February 1st
The Francophone Association of York Region publishes an annual Franco-York Directory that highlights Francophone Arts and Culture, Education and Services in our Region. Windham Ridge Public School is even listed on page 24! The AFRY website also shows their upcoming community events
February 8th
Have you been wanting to try some French Cuisine in Toronto? The Winterlicious Festival which runs until February 11th features many French Restaurants with a special set menu. Check out Le Papillon on Front’s Prix Fixe Menu, Célestin’s Prix Fixe Menu or Bodega’s Prix Fixe Menu. See all menus of participating French Restaurants here. Bon appétit!
February 15th Try tuning in to one of our local French radio stations while driving to gain exposure to the language through music, news and talk shows. CHOQ 105.1 FM plays many popular French songs and offers talk shows and newscasts. CJBC 860 AM is a French Station that has some music but mainly talk shows and news. CJBC 90.3 FM is a French-language station in Toronto which airs the programming of Radio-Canada's Ici Musique network. Bonne écoute!
February 22nd Canadian Parents for French is offering a Free Webinar entitled, "Discover French Experiential Learning Opportunities on FrenchStreet.ca" on Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. (1 hour). All that is required is a computer with a built-in speaker and microphone or headset with microphone. Register here.
February 29th
If you are looking for French summer camps in the area, Camp Tournesol has a Richmond Hill location for Day Camp and offers Overnight Camp at Lake St. George. Camp d'été 2016 of the Francophone Association of York is located in Aurora.
March 7th
The National Film Board of Canada is currently offering several short children’s films exploring the diversity of the francophone and Acadian communities in Canada: Le bucheron, Tête-à-tête, and Venue de loin.
March 21
Visiting a Cabane à sucre (Maple Sugar Bush) is a very French-Canadian tradition; you can get into the seasonal spirit this March Break by visiting Horton Tree Farms or Bruce’s Mill.
March 28
Don’t miss the free Oak Ridges Community Centre’s Foire de la Francophonie (French Fair) on April 2 from 1-5pm where you can enjoy French food, music, workshops and more.
April 1 There are 14 films from France playing at the Toronto International Film Festival for Kids from April 6-14.
April 11 Are you a parent interested in brushing up on your French? The Partagez le français group of York Region welcomes adults (from francophones to beginners) looking to put their French language conversation skills into action.
April 18 If you ever wish to catch up on your Franco-Fun Tips, simply click on this link to be connected to the school’s website. May 2
Catch a great Quebecois folk concert at the Aurora Cultural Centre on May 6 by the group De Temps Antan.
May 9
Take a look at this informative article entitled, "Making the case: Why students need to study languages" by the Association for Language Learning.
May 16
This French Summer Camp Listing for 2016 is compiled by the Canadian Parents for French organization.
May 23
If you are thinking ahead about some summer excursions to take, the Summer fun in Ontario in French guide has some great ideas for sights and events.
May 30
June is around the corner and you can celebrate Quebec’s Fête National at the Fête de la St-Jean Family Concert and Food Event at the Aurora Cultural Centre June 24.
June 6 Starting at age 13, students can participate in 3-week Summer Exchanges to Québec and Switzerland or 4-week exchanges to France. There are also 9-week exchanges during the school year to Switzerland and France. June 13
You can access many French books and videos online at Tumble Biblio Enfants with your Richmond Hill Public Library Card. Simply enter your card number and once logged in, change the language tab in the right hand corner to French.
June 20
Toronto Bastille Day celebrates the French national holiday with many festive activities. It is held on July 10 at Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street.
June 27
Festival Kompa Zouk Toronto, Ontario’s largest gathering of local, national and international French-Caribbean performers will be held at Harbourfront Centre July 14-August 1st. This event celebrates French-Caribbean culture through music, dance, cuisine, and visual arts.
July 4
Toronto’s Franco-Fête will be held from July 15-17 at Yonge-Dundas Square with many events for kids. To catch up on your Franco-Fun Tips from this year please click here. Un bel été à tous!