Author: daenag

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…

Teaching in bilingual classrooms—or supporting multiple language groups—can get hectic fast. Between managing materials in two languages, switching between groups, and keeping routines clear, organization is your best friend. Here are my go-to tips for staying on top of it all, whether you’re a classroom teacher or supporting several rooms: 1. Label Everything (Clearly and Consistently) Labels are a lifesaver when juggling French and English materials. Use sturdy bins or drawers and label them by subject and language—like “Math – French” or “Literacy – English.”Inside each bin, consider using dividers or folders to separate resources even further. It makes finding what you need fast and stress-free! 2. Create Grab-and-Go Kits Having ready-to-go kits with your most-used materials saves tons of time. Think fine motor tools, flashcards, dice, counters, or simple manipulatives—organized in one portable container.This is especially helpful if you support multiple classrooms or move between French and English groups…

Teaching French and English in Kindergarten (or supporting those who do) can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re not fluent in French. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be fluent to create meaningful language learning experiences. Whether you’re the classroom teacher or a support staff member, there are simple, practical ways to make both languages work in your classroom. Start with Routines That Work in Both Languages Using consistent routines makes a big difference. Kids thrive on predictability, and when routines are clear and repeatable, it supports language learning in both English and French classes. Think about greetings, lining up, or transitions—you can keep the same structure and just switch the language depending on the day. Keep It Simple and Flexible Don’t stress about perfect pronunciation or fluency. Focus on using key phrases and vocabulary that get the job done. If you’re supporting a French day, try repeating words slowly…

As the school year wraps up, I like to take a moment to reflect on everything that happened — the wins, surprises, and challenges. Teaching two separate Kindergarten classes, one in English and one in French, in the same space keeps me busy but also gives me a unique perspective on bilingual education. What Surprised Me This Year I was surprised by how much my students in both classes grew, even though the learning happens on alternating days. It’s amazing to see skills transfer and how routines I use in one language help build confidence in the other. I also learned the value of flexibility—sometimes I need to adjust plans or materials differently for each language group, and that’s totally normal. Wins and Challenges of Teaching Separate English and French Classes Wins: Seeing both groups develop vocabulary and confidence in their respective languages. Creating bilingual resources that work for both…

(Especially When You’re Bilingual and Moving Into a New Role!) The end of the school year always comes with a whirlwind of emotion… and boxes. Whether you’re changing roles, moving rooms, or wrapping up another year, packing up your classroom can feel like a massive task. And when you’re teaching in both French and English? Double the stuff, double the decisions. This year, I’m not just packing for summer—I’m transitioning into a new role in Student Services. I’ll still be working with Kindergarten students in both French and English, just in a different way. So, I’ve had to be intentional about what I’m packing, how I’m organizing it, and what’s actually worth keeping. Here’s how I’m staying (mostly) sane through the process: 1. Pack by Subject, Not Just by Language Because I’ll be moving between spaces and supporting different classrooms next year, I’ve decided to pack by subject: Literacy, Math,…

By the time June hits, our classrooms are buzzing with excitement—and a little chaos. One of my favourite ways to keep engagement high and get some fresh air is to take learning outside. It’s simple, it breaks up the day, and it gives French learning a chance to feel natural and playful. Here are a few of the low-prep activities I use to sneak in language practice while enjoying the sunshine. 🌱 1. Measuring Nature We bring out Unifix cubes and head straight for the grass! Students work in pairs or small groups to measure leaves, sticks, rocks, and dandelions. This opens up so much natural vocabulary: court / long plus grand / plus petit bâton / feuille / fleur / roche You can model simple sentences like: “Cette feuille est longue.”“Ce bâton est plus court que le crayon.” It’s a fun way to connect French to their world—and they…

June in Kindergarten is no joke. Between report cards, farewell song practices, fun days, and trying to keep routines intact, it can feel like your to-do list is never-ending. And while the kids are buzzing with excitement, their focus? Not so much. This is when I lean into low-prep, hands-on activities that keep students learning and enjoying their time together—whether we’re inside or outdoors, in French or English. Here are a few of my go-to activities for this time of year:   1. Let’s Build! (World Buildings Challenge) This one is always a hit. My I Can Build World Buildings activity from TPT keeps kids engaged through the end of June. It gives them the chance to explore global architecture while using their creativity and fine motor skills. They build landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Taj Mahal using blocks or recycled materials—and I tie in French vocabulary if it’s…