1. Grade One French Immersion Information Night
Sheridan Park P.S.
Grade One French Immersion Information Night

2. The aim is fluency in French by Grade 12

3. Is French Immersion right for my child?
- strong skills in first language - likes to talk - likes to work in groups - imitates easily - good memory - demonstrates confidence - risk-taker - enjoys new challenges - enjoys books - successful transition from home to kindergarten
Is French Immersion right for my child?

4. Indicators that children are successful in French Immersion
Happy
Enthusiastic about learning
Positive about school
Report card indicates progress
Feedback from teacher

5. Indications that French Immersion might not be the right choice now
performing below average in their first language
children who will be absent from school for extended periods
struggling with the transition to school
pre-existing learning difficulties
disagreement within the family about the program

6. By the end of Grade One:
Follow written and verbal instructions in French
Speak in French about familiar topics
Pronounce familiar French words correctly
Read short, simple materials in French
Follow simple written instructions
Produce short, simple pieces of writing in French

7. Help your child at home Read provincial French Immersion curriculum
Talk to your child every day about school
Read with your child every day in English or your first language
Listen to your child read in French
Regular time and place for homework

8. How can I help my child, especially since I don't speak French?
Be supportive, encourage your child to reuse language skills
Help your child feel secure by maintaining regular routines relating to meals, bedtime, and putting away their things
Attendance and punctuality are very important – develop good habits by being prompt every day
On a daily basis, help to strengthen the child's first language skills

9. Helping my child learn French…
watch a French television show and movie
borrow French tapes and books from the library
listen to French children's music
French games, software, websites
French summer camps
subscriptions to French magazines at home
Canadian Parents for French (CPF)

10. Helping my child, continued!
Establish an open, on-going line of communication with the teacher – be attentive to suggestions and recommendations!
Do not “over-program” your child, especially for first term. Consider limiting after school involvement to:
one sport activity
one arts activity

11. French is part of every child's school experience
- another immersion option— Extended French starts in grade 7 - all students study French 40 minutes/day from grades 4 to 8 - at least one high school French credit

12. Grade One at Sheridan Park
50% French (morning)
50% English (afternoon)
In grade one, students will have one teacher who will teach both French and English

13. First Term (September to January) Progress and First Term Reports
Focus is oral and development of vocabulary
Shared reading and writing tasks
Until Winter Break, emphasis will be on Learning Skills and developing routines and “PAWsitive” student habits.

14. Second Term (February to June)
Reading (strategies and the four roles of a literate learner)
Writing (conventions, sentences, writers workshop)
*** Oral (experiment with the French language to communicate simple ideas and thoughts)

15. Students should be able to…
Tie own shoelaces
Zip up coat and back-pack
Recognize upper and lower case letters (in English)
Write their full name using upper and lower case letters
Use scissors with ease
Know their street address and phone number
Read simple sentences and books
Verbally express their own ideas, needs and wants
Take risks and be willing to make mistakes

16. Arrival Supervision Begins 8:45 am Entry Bell 8:55 am
Classes Begin 9:00 am
Lunch 11:55 am – 12:55 pm
End of School Day 3:30pm

17. Bus Info!
Attend Young Rider’s Orientation Day Saturday August 22 – 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes before your expected pick-up/drop off time.
Help your child recognize some key landmarks along the route.

18. Bus Info Continued
Expect late buses in early September until system glitches get worked out.
Remind your child to stay on the bus if they do not recognize their stop.

19. STOPR.CA For bus inquiries, go to www.stopr.ca
You will need the OEN number found at the top of the report card
(Students need to memorize this number for library and computer lab use)

20. Agendas

21. Dismissal School ends at 3:30 p.m.
Kiss 'n Ride students will meet their parents at Kiss 'n Ride- located off Thorn Lodge. Please remain in your car!
Bus students will line up in the gym prior to boarding the buses
Walkers are met by their parent/care givers at their entry door and released by the teacher at the bell

22. Recess and Lunch Break
There are 2 fifteen minute recess breaks and 1 hour lunch break as follows:
Morning Recess - 10:20 am – 10:35 am
Lunch - 11:35 am – 12:35 pm
Afternoon Recess - 1:55 pm –2:10 pm
Students should have a nutritious snack to eat before going to play outside during recess.
Students are encouraged to use the washroom at break times.

23. Volunteers
We sincerely appreciate help in the school and participation on field trips.
Speaking French is not a requirement!
Should you wish to volunteer, a current Criminal Reference Check for Volunteers must be completed. Forms are available through the school office.

24. Two Pairs of Shoes
1 indoor only (to be left at school)
1 outdoor pair

25. Clothes
Review the daily weather forecast before sending your son/daughter to school in the morning in order that he/she arrives with the appropriate outdoor clothing.

26. Merci et à bientôt!
Thank you and we look forward to having a wonderful year together!