Families+of+France+journaling

le 9 février 2011
 * Niveau 5 wants to learn more about France: specifically French history, the regions of France and French food from those regions. We began to get a flavor of France by watching a video about a day in the life of two French children. The students reflected in groups and individually about what was different and what was the same as their own life. Here are some of their individual reactions and thoughts.**

//I thought that it was surprising that they got Wednesday off but had to go to school on Saturday morning. I felt so so so so so sad then their dad had to go to his job on a little kiddy scooter. I would rather have school on Wednesday than Saturday morning. I am glad that the older sister gets to sell bakery items for school so they can have enough money to travel all around the world.// //I feel bad for Emelien because his parents are divorced. I think it is lucky for having a head massage if he can't go to sleep. I think this video was shorter than the other one because in the other one she could do so many things in one day.// //*// //I had a couple reactions when I started the video. I thought it was surprising that Emelien didn't have school on Wednesday! But what is also interesting is that he has half a day on Saturday. I was surprised that he took a public bus like a TARTA bus to school. I wonder if they used school buses around where he lives. Je ne sais pas! Last, it was interesting most sports were in clubs. I think it was like a swim team. Emelien's life is very interesting. C'est bon!// //*// //I thought it was cool because they got Wednesday off from school. And because they rode the public bus to school. I did not know they did karate in France. I think that's cool. I like the idea of not having a tv but having a gameboy. I think it's cool that they use less energy by hanging their clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer. I would definitely love to go to the art show by the river. I like the idea of not using cars all the time.// //*// //He was more like me because he likes sports like me except they get Wednesday off -- but they go to school on Saturday. He takes the public bus to school.// //*// //My reaction to Camille's life was surprised! I thought it was odd she had so much free time during the day or after day care. When she said that she digs for fossils every day, I thought Wow! She can do that even when she still has to do chores and homework?!! My other reaction was jealousy! I thought that it was amazing when she said they had an hour of each lunch and recess! Oh la la! After all the most important of the meal of the day in France is lunch! She had an amazing lunch... like gourmet! C'est formidable! I think she had a fun life, but not too many after school activities and sports. I was a little surprised by that. Her life is very different from ours, and these were some of my reactions.// //*// //The movie was interesting. I think that it is cool that the people at that school get free food. I like the fact that they went digging for fossils every day. I am glad they brush their teeth every day. Why did they sing Happy Birthday in English?// //*// //When we were watching the movie in class I was thinking: "wow, she has so much free time!" Even though she has school and homework she still can go in her farm, go horseback riding, and find fossils. She is so lucky to live in France and have a nice family. I feel that it is so nice to have a family that not only takes care of you, but cares about you. She should know that her family is very good. It was fun to watch that video. We might be able to learn a lot from a short video. Thanks!// //*//
 * //Emélien - 10 years old from Lyon//**
 * //Camille, 9 years old from Beaujolais//**