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Scrapbook PageLitchfield High School World Language Activities
by Mary Pereira
Québec Anyone?
Early on February 18, 2005, 37 hardy souls left for a four day visit of Québec City, the capital of the province of Québec, Canada. We packed mitts, toques, scarves, and boots to keep us warm during our dog-sled ride, snowshoeing, toboggan run, maple sugaring. and tours of various highlights of Québec City and its environs. At a traditional breakfast at the Huron-Wendat Village we tried buffalo and had bannock. We had a sightseeing tour of the beautiful Beaupré Coast where we learned more about the history of Canada. This information was particularly interesting to our students because they study about “France in America” in 7th and 8th grades and present a program, including songs and dance, to their parents. Back in the city we had a walking tour of Place Royale.
The students were very much interested in using their French. Fortunately the company, Immersion Tours, encourages and facilitates speaking in French on their tours. It was exciting to hear French everywhere. Even though we did not stay at the Château Frontenac, it was fun to see it. Another activity was the underground amusement park, a change from the mostly outdoor activities that we enjoyed.
The students were happy with their trip. They had wanted to experience Canada and the challenges of winter. They were happy to try traditional foods and crafts. And it was fun to be “in the videos” and “in the texts” that we have used in class.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
A festive “Mardi Gras” spirit infused the Litchfield High School cafeteria when Mary Connelly Pereira’s 7th and 8th grade students of French completed the “France in America” unit with an evening of songs, dances, and presentations for their family and friends. Eighth grade students retold in both English and French some of the history of the first Frenchmen to arrive in Canada. They also recounted the events of the “Grand Dérangement,” which took place in Acadia and caused many French speaking people to relocate, most of them to the bayou of Louisiana, where their descendants have become the Cajuns of today. The 7th grade students supported the stories with a pictorial timeline. Interspersed among the stories were songs and dances, several of which were accompanied by a band made up of those 7th and 8th grade students of French who also do music. The evening finished with a feast of gumbo, jambalaya, kings’ cake, and many other yummy foods provided by the parents. Many thanks to the parents for their support and enthusiasm, to Mr. Stephen Brookes (son of Ellen Brookes) for rehearsing the musicians and providing the sound system, to Mr. Dennis Hefferon, Mrs. Aline Libassi, and the LHS members of the National Foreign Language Honor Societies for help at rehearsals, for overseeing the serving of the food and punch and for videotaping the performance, and to the LHS custodians for their help and support. This activity has become somewhat of a tradition at LHS since it was started some years ago by Mary and colleague Laura Edgar Tinnirella. Every year the students have input, which makes each celebration unique. Laissez les bons temps rouler!