World Languages
At Epiphany School, we incorporate the study of foreign language for a complete and cohesive approach to language arts.
Students at Epiphany School get early exposure to French beginning in the youngest grades, from pre-k through fifth grade.
By discovering connections and vocabulary shared between English and French as part of our daily study, students gain deeper understanding and heightened acquisition of each language. When they graduate, Epiphany School students are prepared to continue making world languages part of their developing lexicon.
language-learners at Work
THE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM
At Epiphany School, we incorporate the study of classical languages for a complete and cohesive approach to language arts. By discovering connections and vocabulary shared between languages as part of our daily study, students gain deeper understanding and heightened acquisition of each language. When they graduate, Epiphany School students are prepared to continue making world languages part of their developing lexicon.
French begins in the youngest grades for early exposure through songs, games, and stories. Student vocabulary increases as our French specialist helps students converse with each other. In the upper grades, students explore language, Roman culture, mythology, and history as part of their regular classroom studies.
French is introduced through songs, games, and stories. Movement and interaction are key to learning simple phrases and vocabulary including colors, animals, foods, and numbers.
Moyens de transport, la nature, and le corps are some of the vocabulary units in kindergarten. Students sing songs, interact with classroom puppets, make books, and converse with peers. They build a French vocabulary that allows them to speak simple words and phrases.
First graders have the new responsibilities of a French name and a French library account. They continue to build vocabulary but at a higher level of complexity that includes family, clothing, weather, and cultural units.
Second graders continue to build their language and cultural understandings through fun units related to their own lives. They have opportunities to practice speaking with purpose—for example, to order a meal.
Third grade students make cultural and global connections in their French studies. They rapidly learn vocabulary, cultural norms, and dialogue for conversation through movement and story.
Fourth grade French students use the language to communicate in more complex situations. Grammar, vocabulary, and derivatives are primary areas of focus.
French cultural lessons include studies of French-speaking countries, the French classical garden, and French Impressionism. Students learn to conjugate verbs, use the past and future tense, and ask questions in a variety of ways.
The Latest...
Monthly grade-level updates from our languages classrooms.
- Fifth Grade
French News in May: Fifth Grade
Bonjour! This month found us in the midst of our captivating "Impressionism" unit in fifth-grade French, with an exciting visit impressionist painting time en plein air. We studied who the impressionists were, what inspired them, what connected them to art movements before and after their time, and what they were reacting against or trying to change. Fifth graders also added the verbs avoir and aller, to their vocabulary, practicing the past and future tenses in the language. June brings the much anticipated fifth-grade pique-nique: a walk to Madrona Park at Lake Washington for Francophone world games and practical experience ordering lunch in French from Le Fournil bakery.
- Fourth Grade
French News in May: Fourth Grade
Bonjour! Fourth-grade students have enjoyed learning about the French Revolution this spring, through song (“La Marseillaise,” “Le Bon Roi Dagobert,” and “Lafayette Interlude” from the musical Hamilton), videos, an interactive Nearpod, exploratory 360° photos, exciting games (Heads Up, Capture the Monarch, Three Estates Game) and insightful class discussions. They looked at this important moment in French history and considered how individual decisions impacted entire populations throughout the ten years of the Revolution. Among other topics, they studied Louis XVI and the Ancient Régime, Napoleon, the Three Estates system, and events such as the Tennis Court Oath, the storming of the Bastille, the brief but infamous Terror, and connections to other revolutions for social and economic change in the Americas and Europe.
- Third Grade
French News in May: Third Grade
Bonjour! Third graders have continued to learn about well-known French poets and hear a variety of poems this month. They recently chose their favorite poem, which they will copy out, illustrate, and recite for their French poetry booklet. Third graders have also been reading the French chapter book Brandon Brown veut un chien, taking turns to act out the scenes and narrate as a class.
- Second Grade
French News in May: Second Grade
Bonjour! Second graders had an exciting month of May, with a French sports-related Grandparents and Special Friends day. They practiced their sports and activities with a partner skit, a new song (“Dans la Troupe”), charades, and card games. Next, students expanded their body vocabulary with a Nearpod lesson, songs, language games, and by choreographing a fun “body dance” with a partner.
- First Grade
French News in May: First Grade
In French this May, first graders reviewed clothing by making pictographies and a class movie about what they wear (“Je porte...”). The puppet friends Monsieur le Loup and Fifi visited, and Fifi helped M. le Loup try wearing clothes instead of fur. They finished the month of May with a Claude Monet watercolor lesson.
- Kindergarten
French News in May: Kindergarten
Bonjour! Kindergarten students have had a busy and productive month in French this May. They began the month with a nature unit, practicing vocabulary words through "listen and draw" activities, bingo on whiteboards, and charades. As part of this unit, the students went on a French nature outing to Marilyn’s garden, where they participated in a scavenger hunt (la chasse au trésor) and a smelling and tasting exploration. They finished the month of May by learning about the French flag and the map of France.