Grade 6

Bonjour tout le monde!

What is the Mois de la Francophonie, you ask? The goal of La Francophonie Month, organized each year around the world, is to promote the French language in the context of cultural diversity, as well as to support dialogue and bringing together people, groups and communities interested in the Francophonie. 33 million people in the Americas live and radiate the French language around them.

We will celebrate La Francophonie Month at BCD in several ways, starting off with a crepe-making ‘atelier’ on Friday, February 1, with grades 4-8. My husband & local chef, Benjamin, will help us to assemble our ingredients and share the technique to making a perfectly thin and delicious crepe! …more details to follow, to be distributed by email per grade.

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Another way in which students will celebrate Francophonie month is by participating in an international ‘Slam poetry’ competition, called ‘Slame tes Accents’.  Through this competition, the Center of Francophonie des Ameriques aims “to highlight the diversity of French accents hosted by the Americas, to highlight the vitality and dynamism of the Francophonie of the Americas and stimulate interest in the Francophonie by demonstrating to students the power of words. Whether French is your second or mother tongue, whether you are starting out or perfecting it, display your accents and make them vibrate in video form!”

With grades 7 and 8, we will create a video of 60 to 90 seconds. Our class slam must integrate some 15 proposed words. This is an opportunity to celebrate the richness, vitality, and diversity of the French language during the month of the Francophonie. 

Here are some objectives of the competition, which we will approach in a way that best represents our Francophone culture at BCD and our school community! …

Stimulate interest in the Francophonie of the Americas in educational institutions.

Generate the pride of speaking French and belonging to the Francophonie family.

Engage students in their learning of French.

Demonstrate the evocative power of slam.

Develop written and oral skills in French.

Among the many prizes offered is the chance to win a visit to the school by Mathieu Lippé, a popular artist, singer, and slam poet from Quebec who has enjoyed great success among young people with his “contagious” dynamism. His visit, in the form of a creative workshop, will certainly help stimulate and promote student interest in the French language.

For more information about this engaging and inspiring educational challenge, please follow the link; http://www.francophoniedesameriques.com/slame/

Best,

Mme. Daire

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” — Oscar Wilde

Dear Sixth Grade Families and Friends,

Thank you so much for all your warm welcomes and generosity as we wrap up our first month together. The spirit of communal effort in every aspect of life at BCD is such an invaluable asset and has been a wonderful gift. Thanks for sharing your delightful kids! They’re a remarkable group.

I was so happy to welcome Grandparents and Grandfriends to class Friday. Students had a chance to show off their writing and their Personal Map projects to a new audience. They were so excited while they worked on them and I think their projects speak for themselves. (Thank you for finding the time in the midst of your busy lives to collect poster boards). I thought each student’s work offered a unique insight into the formative parts of their lives and showed a good deal of effort from their authors. They also beautifully highlighted their distinct passions and quirks.  It has been great to get to know each and every one of your interesting and interested young people! The class has demonstrated a balance of burgeoning independent selves which shines through the omnipresent truth of their adolescence. Last Wednesday’s service learning discussion was a prime example. In their own way, I thought each child navigated discussions of difficult issues thoughtfully and respectfully. I loved getting a chance to hear their thoughts on the world today and see their passion on display. Ms. Doherty and Mr. Evans both stopped by and were thoroughly impressed. It was hard to reconcile that thoughtfulness with the intense albeit brief dodgeball match that followed, but that’s sixth grade for you!

I included an Oscar Wilde quote that summarizes how I’m feeling about the start to the year. Despite the warm weather and rain, the beautiful leaves remind me it’s already Fall. Our class is nearing the end of our first novel The Giver and preparing for our first Geography quest next week.

Thanks to all of you who sent in the forms for our upcoming Hulbert Trip in such a timely manner. I’m very much looking forward to that experience and will be updating you on each day’s events via this blog, so stay tuned! Also, be on the lookout for an email from Kathy and me with an overview of the packing list and departure plan.

It has been such a pleasure to be part of this community and as always, feel free to reach out via email with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Best,

Mr. Wood