To better understand and appreciate the diversity, complexity and richness of France, French 3 students will choose a French region to study, create a webpage for a virtual poster, and make an oral presentation in class based on their research.

 

  1. Students will choose a region to study from the following list:
    Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Brittany, Burgundy, Corsica, Franche-Comté, Ile-de-France, Lanquedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Normandy, Pays-de-la-Loire, Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur
  2. Students will research their region, paying particular attention to why it is so special (i.e. geographical situation, climate, origins of the area, well-known tourist attractions or monuments, important historical events, famous people who lived our died there, culinary specialties, customs, traditions, special dialects spoken, or any other topics of interest)
  3. Students will create a personal folder in the Différences folder of the on GA Filer, Currciular Projects area to which they will save all their written work as well as any illustrations they plan to use along with all corresponding website addresses.
  4. Students will then write a 1-2 page paper in French based on their research. The word-processed paper will be given to the teacher on Oct. 9 and a second copy will be saved on the server in the Différences folder. A final corrected draft will be due on Oct. 15 and placed in the Différncesfolder
  5. Students will create a poster that will accurately describe the most important characteristics of their region using color photos, maps, postcards, drawings, or other visuals that will help to explain the distinctive nature of their region. They may select at least six images from any website on the region and must clearly explain their significance in French. All descriptions and explanations must be 3-5 sentences long. Students must ask permission from the photographer or website to use any photos that are not their own.
  6. You will spend four class periods working in the USCALC. You will create your poster using Macromedia Fireworks and you will publish your poster using Macromedia Dreamweaver
  7. After a brief introduction to Fireworks, following the step by step instructions, you will create your poster using the "Text" tool and the "drawing" tools available in Fireworks.
  8. You are to enhance your text using the stroke, fill end effects palettes. You can incorporate illustrations from the 525,000 graphics available from the"Art Explosion" CDs or download online graphics from free clip art sites.
  9. You will remember to save your work in two formats: the PNG format, so that you can alter your work if correction is needed, and in the GIF format to be placed on their web page.
  10. Once the poster is completed you will open Dreamweaver and following the step by step instructions furnished, you will place the graphic on the page, and make a link back to the student index page.
  11. You may also enhance your page with color in the background, etc.
  12. Students will give an oral presentation of their region in class. They must clearly explain why their region is unique and give examples of things to do and see there. They may use their illustrations to help them give an overall view of their region but they must not read from the poster. A higher grade will be earned by the student who speaks naturally and more fluently.

These are some suggestions. Students are encouraged to use several resources.

Alsace: www.tourisme-alsace.com
Aquitaine: www.cr-aquitaine.fr
Auvergne: www.crt-auvergne.fr
Brittany       www.brittany-bretagne.com/
Burgundy: www.burgundy-tourism.com
Corsica: www.sitec.fr/corsica
Franche-Comté: www.interfrance.com
Ile-de-France: www.paris-ile-de-france.com
Languedoc www.discoverfrance.net/France/Provinces/Languedoc.shtml
Limousin: www.cr-limousin.fr
Lorraine: www.cr-lorraine.fr
Normandy: www.normandy-tourism.org
Pays de la Loirewww.french-at-a-touch.com/French_Regions/Western_Loire/loire_valley.htm
Provence www.franceway.com/regions/provence/intro.htm

Language Use                                                                                              20

(appropriate vocabulary, clear explanations, no English)

Creativity/Organization                                                                                             20

(conveys content effectively, visually stimulating and informative)

Fluency                                                                                                                       20

(pronunciation and intonation sound natural, without hesitation - no reading)

Presentation                                                                                                               20

(comprehensible, accurate, and interesting)

Effort                                                                                                                          20

(exceeds the minimum requirements of the assignment,

provides evidence of thoughtful input) 

 

This project designed and implemented by Linda Test, French teacher for the students of Germantown Academy Upper School. Page design and technical assistance furnished by Carol Siwinski, Curricular Technology Specialist.

October, 2007