If you teach high school French classes, you’ve got to try French Back to School stations, and here’s why! In 2023, I was trying to figure out creative and engaging first-week-of-school activities for French class. However, I wanted to find a balance between French reading, writing, speaking, and listening. I also didn’t want my French students to sit for too long!
French Back to School stations were the solution!
If you’re looking for more Back to School ideas & inspo, I have an entire blog post dedicated to fun French classroom decor ideas. Read this post on activities to do in the first week of school and what to do in the first two weeks of school.
Why should you try French Back to School Stations this year?
French Back to School stations can target a variety of skills such as reading, writing, and listening
I like incorporating a bit of French reading, writing, and listening in my Back to School stations. These activities must be low-risk and engaging, given that it may have been two to eight months since my students have been in French class.
Build community and get to know your students
As teachers, especially French teachers, building community and getting to know our students is the most important part of la rentrée scolaire.
Students need to feel comfortable in a language class because speaking French can be super scary for many of our students.
A lack of community and an increase in discomfort (not the good kind) will prevent your students from putting in their best effort in French class.
Therefore, we must spend tons of time getting to know our students.
Get your students moving and interacting with one another
Have you ever attended an in-person professional development opportunity and sat ALL DAY?
Let me tell you, I absolutely HATE professional development days if I have to sit in a chair all day.
I don’t know how we expect our students to sit all day long, but especially at the start of the school year.
Incorporating movement into my stations is an absolute must. I have my students move from station to station.
Have your students explore your French syllabus and course procedures within the stations
I don’t know about you, but reviewing my syllabus and course procedures in the first week of class is one of my least favourite activities.
However, making space for course procedures and the syllabus in the stations activity is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to do this task.
One of my stations tends to be a “syllabus scavenger hunt” where students look for answers within the syllabus.
By the way, if you’re looking for fun, editable French syllabus templates, check out these here.
I also like to have a whole station on Academic Dishonesty (AI and translator use) in my stations.
Ready to put together your French Back to School stations activity?
If you want me to do the prep work for you, these French Back to School Stations are ready to go!
