If your students are anything like my students, they probably love coming to French class! That is one of the best parts about teaching an elective — our students want to be there! However, this can be a little tricky as well. You know, sometimes they’re a little too excited to come to French class, because they know we’re going to be having tons of fun!
Therefore, it can truly throw your classroom management off when students are entering the classroom all riled up and excited.
I teach Grades 8-10 and I especially find this to be true for the younger grades.
As a matter of fact, it can be rather challenging to bring teenagers back to a calm place when they run in all hyper!
Before you scroll – grab this music freebie!
Are your students too chatty or far too loud when working on activities?
Teenagers can be so social and in my second year of teaching, I was struggling with them socializing a little too loudly with their classmates.
To combat these two issues, I made one of my favourite classroom purchases in my teaching career!
I bought a bluetooth speaker! For the past two years, I have religiously used my bluetooth speaker during strategic moments.
Play calm French music as students are walking into class
In my three years of being a teacher, I have had the pleasure of teaching only TWO introverted classes out of 18 classes!
The rest of my classes have been anywhere from sometimes rambunctious to ALWAYS rambunctious.
I started playing calm French music at the start of class as students were walking in. When I do this, I also ensure that I have my daily slides projected on the whiteboard. My daily slides explain the shape of the day and which activities students should begin immediately.
If you struggle with the start of class transition, I highly recommend doing this. Students love listening to music, regardless of their grade, and it creates such a lovely ambiance.
My favourite calm artists are Louane, Coeur de Pirate, Charles Aznavour, Julien Doré and Matt Holubowski.
Play French music when students are working on assignments and projects
I frequently play French music as students are working on individual assignments or group projects.
Students are not allowed to wear their own listening devices in class, given that French class is all about collaboration. Due to that reason, my students beg me to play music as they are working.
I find that music can help my students focus on their task. They still socialize and work collaboratively with their peers, but they do not shout over the music as they would shout over one another.
My favourite is when I catch my teens asking their friends to speak quieter so that they can hear the music!
Ask your students to recommend calm French music to you as “homework”
It can be incredibly motivating for students when they see that you have acknowledged and included their interests.
Have students email you up to 5 calm, school-appropriate French songs “for homework”. I would then listen to each song to ensure that it is in fact a) calm and b) school-appropriate.
Create French music playlists for classroom management using Apple Music or Spotify
I decided to purchase a Bluetooth speaker and not use the projector speakers. I hated connecting my computer to the projector in order to listen to music.
Creating playlists on Apple Music on my iPhone has been incredibly convenient. I have all sorts of playlists — I have ones for the start of class, more upbeat songs for fun activities and games, and playlists of students’ recommendations. Here’s a playlist on YouTube of French music for the classroom.
Also, if you’re looking to diversify your playlist, check out my Instagram post by clicking this link!
Below is an image of the Bluetooth speaker I have at school and at home. Please note that the link below is an affiliate link.
If you find these tips to be helpful, comment below & share your favourite Francophone artists for the classroom!
