Background

This Web Quest was designed to provide students an opportunity to enhance their oral language skills through a presentation. Students will learn about about French Canadian culture by studying a significant Canadian annual event which has gained international recognition, Carnaval.

In order to successfully complete this assignment students will need to know some basic vocabulary pertinent to the topic such as winter sports, etc. Students will also have had to have ample practice constructing sentences and conjugating verbs in the present and passé composé. Teachers are encouraged to personalize this Web Quest by adding or deleting requirements of this assignment based on the level of French language knowledge of their class.

The fact that all web sites listed have both an English and French option should facilitate understanding of the material by all students. Encourage students to use the French site but let them know it is permissible to rely on the English site as well.

Elementary School Expectations

This Web Quest will meet the following expectation of the Ontario Curriculum, French as a Second Language 4 -8.

It has been designed based on the concepts presented in the section of the curriculum document called Planning Student Programs on page 4:

• "In grades 7 & 8, while the main focus continues to be on oral communication, there will be an increased emphasis on reading and writing."
• "Programs should be designed so that elements from other program areas are integrated into second-language activities."
• "Interviews, oral presentations, playing roles in dramatizations and simulations, dialogues, and cooperative games are examples of effective oral communication activities."
• "Finally, teachers will help students -particularly students in Grade 7 & 8 - understand that second -language skills are important in many careers and can improve their chances for future employment."

Grade	Overall Expectations	Specific Expectations
Core FSL Grade 7 Grade 8	listen to and talk about short , oral texts in structured and open-ended situations identify and use the vocabulary and the grammar and language conventions appropriate for this grade level read a variety of classroom and simple authentic materials, 200-300 (Grade 7), 400-600 (Grade 8) words long and demonstrate understanding	use compound sentences in conversations and dialogues use language appropriately in a variety of rehearsed, routine and open-ended situations give an oral presentation of fifteen to twenty sentences( Grade 7) more than twenty sentences (Grade 8) in length make revisions to oral language in form, content and organization produce a variety of simple responses, in structured and open-ended situations, to convey understanding of the written text in a different form

Secondary School Expectations

This Web Quest will meet the following expectation of the Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 & 10, French as a Second Language -Core, Extended and Immersion

It has been designed based on the concepts presented in the section of the curriculum document called The FSL Curriculum and The FSL Programs on page 2:

• "The aim of the new French as a second language (FSL) curriculum is to prepare students to perform effectively in the challenging world they will face by providing them with the skills they will need to communicate in a second language"
• To make the curriculum relevant to students' lives, knowledge and skills are taught in contexts that reflect their interests and experiences."
• The aim of the Core French program is to provide students with fundamental communication skills in French and an understanding of the nature of the language and its culture"
• The aim of the Extended French program is to develop in students' French language knowledge and skills and to provide them with an understanding and appreciation of Francophone culture in Canada and around the world."

  Grade	Overall Expectations FSF 1D	Specific Expectations FSF 1D	Overall Expectations FSF 1P	Overall Expectations FSF 1P
  Grade 9 Core FSL Oral Communication Speaking	listen and respond to a variety of short, simple, non -structured media works make oral presentations on a variety of topics use appropriate language conventions during oral presentations	use complete sentences in sustained conversations prepare and give oral presentations on topics under study, incorporating appropriate audio and visual aids all of expectations outlined in the application of language conventions section page 8	listen and respond to a variety of short, simple, non-structured media works make oral presentations on a variety of topics use appropriate language conventions during oral communication activities	use complete sentences to produce short oral presentations present prepared conversations in dialogues or dramatizations share information and ideas to produce an oral presentation with classmates prepare and give group oral presentation on topics under study, incorporating audio and visual aids all of expectations outlined in the application of language conventions section page 12
  Grade 9 Extended French Oral Communication Speaking	listen and respond to a broad range of spoken texts intended for French-speaking audience express ideas and opinions arising from class discussions, individual research and personal interests use appropriate language conventions during oral communication activities	role-play interviews of people associated with a topic under study create and present a scene dramatize a scene from a reading assignment state and justify opinions, express likes and dislikes, and compare and contrast different attitudes all of the language conventions outlined on page 30

While this Web Quest has been designed primarily with Core French students in mind, there is no reason why it could not be completed by students in Extended French by slightly altering the requirements of the task based on students' level of language experience .

Resources

In order to view the video and hear the audio clips found on some sites you must have Quick Time loaded on your computers. You can download the program by visiting the site below.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/

In order for students to play the Trivia game suggested at the conclusion of their work, you must download the program macromedia shockwave. You can download the program by visiting the site below.

http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download