La Petite Classe de Mme. Gibbons Posts

If you’re teaching in two languages, you already know how quickly prep time can get out of control. Centers are a huge part of building independence in the classroom, but when you’re running both French and English (or another language combo), it can feel like you need two completely different setups. Twice the printing, twice the laminating, twice the organizing. Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need double the prep to make bilingual centers work. With a few simple shifts, you can set up once and use your centers across both languages. 1. Keep the Structure the Same The best thing you can do is keep your routines and expectations consistent. If students know how to play a math game or complete a literacy activity in English, the only thing that changes in French is the language on the cards or instructions. No…

Halloween in the classroom can be a lot. The excitement, the costumes, the sugar rush—it’s real. That’s why I like to lean into the fun while still keeping activities purposeful (and low-stress for me). One of my favourite ways to do this is with fine motor centres that double as vocabulary practice. It’s the best of both worlds—kids feel like they’re “just playing,” but you know they’re actually building skills that matter. That’s exactly why I created my Fine Motor Halloween Vocabulary Bundle. It’s packed with simple, engaging activities that get kids cutting, tracing, pinching, and colouring—while also practicing seasonal vocabulary in English and French. Here’s what I love most about this bundle: It works in both English and French classrooms (or a mix of both if you’re supporting multiple groups). The activities are flexible—use them in centers, small groups, or even as early-finisher options. They’re festive without being overwhelming…

Fall is the perfect time for hands-on learning, and it’s also a great season to sneak in some fine motor practice. Developing strong fingers, hands, and wrists early on supports writing, drawing, and a ton of other classroom tasks—but it doesn’t have to be complicated or prep-heavy. Here are a few easy, fall-inspired ways to get your students building those skills: 1. Torn Paper Pumpkins or Leaves Tearing paper might seem simple, but it’s powerful for strengthening thumbs, index, and middle fingers. Have students create pumpkins, leaves, or acorns by tearing and gluing coloured paper. Bonus: it’s mostly mess-free and perfect for autumn art displays. 2. Tracing and Colouring Fall Shapes Leaves, acorns, and pinecones are easy shapes for tracing or colouring. Encourage careful lines, gentle pencil pressure, and attention to detail. This supports precision needed for writing. 3. Nature Sorting and Counting Bring the outdoors inside with small sticks,…

Fall is such a fun time of year in the classroom. The changing seasons bring new energy, and students are often excited about all the fall themes—leaves, sunflowers, pumpkins, and more. I love weaving these themes into our learning because it makes the activities feel fresh and engaging while still keeping the focus on key skills. When it comes to math, I keep things simple, hands-on, and meaningful. Here are two of my go-to fall math activities that work well for both whole class and center time. 🌟 1. Fall Hidden Numbers This activity combines seasonal fun with number recognition practice. Students search through fall-themed pictures to find and color hidden numbers. It’s great because: It strengthens number recognition skills. Students practice attention to detail and perseverance. It’s low-prep for teachers—just print and go! I’ve found this one works really well as a quiet independent activity or as part of…

Stepping into a support role this year has completely shifted how I see teaching French in early years classrooms. Instead of leading one class, I’ve been moving between spaces, working with different teachers and learners, and seeing how French instruction actually looks day-to-day. And while it’s been an adjustment (hello, rolling bins and schedule juggling!), it’s also been incredibly eye-opening. Here are five things I’ve learned so far that have changed how I think about teaching French—especially when time is short, confidence is low, or fluency isn’t fluent. 1. Simplicity Is Powerful You don’t need complicated units or flashy routines to teach French well. What I see working best are simple, consistent tools: vocabulary cards, sentence stems, songs with movement, and repeated daily structures. When teachers focus on repetition and clarity (instead of perfection), students thrive—and so do the adults teaching them. 2. Visuals Aren’t a Crutch—They’re Essential In a…

Did you know? Ripping paper is a surprisingly powerful way to build fine motor skills.  When students tear paper, they’re strengthening the same fingers—thumb, index, and middle—that they’ll use for: ✍️ Writing🎨 Drawing📏 Precision-based tasks The best part? It’s easy to incorporate into your classroom, fairly mess-free, and students absolutely love it. How to Use Torn Paper in Your Classroom Sensory bins: Add strips of paper for students to tear and sort by color, size, or texture. Art projects: Encourage students to create collages or seasonal art with torn pieces. Vocabulary activities: Have students tear pieces of paper with words in English and French and match them to images or objects. Themed projects: Pair tearing paper with holidays, seasons, or classroom themes for extra engagement. Even small daily opportunities for tearing, rolling, or crumpling paper can make a big difference in hand strength and coordination Bonus If you’re a fan…

The first few weeks of school are all about building connections — between you and your students, and between students themselves. One of my favourite ways to set the tone for the year is with a bulletin board that makes every child feel seen and included. That’s exactly why I created my Back-to-School Bulletin Board Freebie — a simple, bilingual display you can set up in no time. What’s Included This free resource comes with: Editable Teacher Introduction – Share a little about yourself so students can start making connections from day one. Student Name Cards – Available in both French and English, so you can personalize for your class needs. Colourful, Inclusive Graphics – Bright, welcoming visuals to draw students in and spark conversation. Why I Love This for the First Week Low Prep – Print, cut, and post. That’s it. Student-Centred – The display is about them —…

If you’ve ever stood in front of your French class and thought, “Who am I to be teaching this?” — you are not alone. Imposter syndrome is common in education, but for non-fluent French teachers, it can feel especially overwhelming. I know this because I have been there. Even with years of teaching experience, when I stepped into the French classroom, I often felt like I didn’t belong — like someone was going to “find out” that my French wasn’t perfect and decide I wasn’t a real French teacher. But here’s the truth: being a good French teacher is about so much more than speaking perfect French. Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything You Don’t Need to Be Fluent to Be EffectiveYour value as a teacher comes from your ability to connect, engage, and create a learning environment where students feel safe to try — and make mistakes. That’s where language…

The first few weeks of school are full of big feelings—for both kids and teachers! Whether you’re teaching Kindergarten, Grade 1, or supporting early years classrooms, read-alouds are a powerful way to build connection, ease nerves, and set the tone for the year. The best part? These books are available in both French and English—perfect for dual-language classrooms or anyone supporting students in both languages. Here are five of my go-to bilingual read-alouds for back to school: 📘 The King of Kindergarten / Le roi de la maternelle by Derrick BarnesThis joyful story is perfect for the first day. It follows a confident little boy as he heads into Kindergarten with excitement and pride. It’s a great way to boost your students’ confidence and remind them how special this new beginning is—in both languages! 📘 David Goes to School / David va à l’école by David ShannonDavid is full of…

Let’s be honest—August is a weird mix of excitement and overwhelm. You’re dreaming up new routines, refreshing bulletin boards, and figuring out how to make the first week feel magical. But you’re also running on low energy, sorting through a million bins, and trying to remember how you ever survived September last year. Whether you’re setting up your own classroom or supporting others (like I’ll be doing this year!), it’s easy to let your own wellness slide to the bottom of the list. So this is your gentle reminder: you matter too. Here are a few simple ways I’m trying to bring a little more balance into the start of the year—no fancy systems or extra pressure required.   1. Set Boundaries Early—Even Soft Ones Back-to-school prep can take over everything if you let it. This year, I’m trying to put up a few gentle boundaries early on. That might…