What's in a Painting?

Well, as it turns out .... a lot. 10th Agers are using their knowledge of French to describe what they see in Impressionist paintings. They can describe the season, weather, people, animals, objects, clothing, nature, places, transportation, and food seen in the paintings. Not only are they learning about world-famous painters, they are also learning to use the French that they know in a fun and different way. Here are some 10th Age students reading detailed descriptions of Impressionists paintings:

Halloween with a French Twist

The French camera roamed the crowds at Calvert's Halloween parade on Friday, looking for French-inspired costumes. Here's what it found:

Madeline

a Can-Can Dancer

a Chef

French Toast?

A French Knight

A Monet Model

Monet Magic

7th Agers are learning about one of the world's most famous artists, Claude Monet. Monet lived in a pink house with green shutters in Giverny, France with his wife and eight children. Monet loved to paint outside and he had a beautiful garden with a lily pond. Over the pond was a Japanese bridge. These were Monet's favorite things to paint. What is most amazing about Monet, even to this day, is how he was able to paint with such an eye for color and show the effects of light so beautifully.
Students will learn more about Monet this week as they view a film about him, based on the children's book Linnea in Monet's Garden.

Les Quatre Saisons

8th Agers are learning how to say and describe the four seasons, in French. They are able to say what the weather is like in each season as well as tell which of the seasons is their favorite. Quel est ta saison favorite? (What is your favorite season?)

   

                                           le printemps                 l’été

                                              l'automne                  l'hiver

Lovely Lavender

French Club members were busy today honing in on their sewing skills. Students sewed two squares of material together and then filled the sachet pouches with dried lavender from France. Lavender is a purple flower that grows in many places around the world. Provence, France is the world's largest lavender producer. Lavender is used to make perfumes, soaps, shampoos, seasonings, and sachets. Not only does it smell good, it is said to have a calming, soothing effect.

      

Lights, Camera, Action!

10th girls presented a humorous skit in French class today that they had read over the weekend for homework. The conversation is between two friends, one of whom is anxiously waiting for her date. Much to the other girl's surprise, when the date arrives, it turns out to be her brother!

Say Fromage!

8th Agers were treated in class today to a French cheese tasting. Each student was given a bite-size sample of three French and Swiss cheeses: Camembert, Brie, and La Vache Qui Rit (The Laughing Cow). After sampling each cheese, students were asked to rate the cheese with one of the following comments: J'aime beaucoup! (I like a lot!), J'aime. (I like.), J'aime un peu. (I like a little.), or Je n'aime pas (I don't like.)