https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn A step into a French classroom en-us 2019-02-02 17:44:02 UTC 2025-06-20 15:24:30 UTC hello@padlet.com jsalem8588 https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326976511 Teaching French comes with it's own set of challenges. Helping students connect to learning French is one of the biggest ones. It is for that reason that I design my room in the most welcoming and warm way possible. When a student comes into the room, they are welcomed with a colorful variety of flags representing countries around the world, including ones where people speak French. It's a colorfully structured environment that aims to say: "Welcome! Everyone can be at home here". 
The layout of class, allows all my of my students to see me at all times. I don't remain behind my desk. Instead, I move around to allow access at any time. Wherever students chose to sit, they will be able to see me and the boards. ]]> 2019-02-02 17:49:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326976511 jsalem8588 https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326979961 Each student needs a different amount of personal space. At the same time, in a community, there is a need for common and collaborative space. In the effort of meeting both needs, I have grouped together my tables to create two big ones. When a student needs to have more personal space, the tables are adjusted accordingly. Otherwise, we work as teams while studying in class. This allows students to feel part of the classroom as opposed to being alone. This also gives the sense of family which in turn perpetuates happy, comfy feelings when they come into the classroom. ]]> 2019-02-02 18:25:15 UTC https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326979961 jsalem8588 https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326980835 Light is so important in a classroom community. It can have a huge impact on how comfortable and ready to learn students are. Which is why, in my classroom, I have beautiful natural lighting coming in from windows at all times. I also have dimmed and soft light in class for when it's needed. Though for the most part, we have the lights off in the classroom. It helps promoting a comfortable classroom.  ]]> 2019-02-02 18:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/326980835 jsalem8588 https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/327153521 Just like in a community, each student will have their individual interest. However, there is still a need for a common interest. 
Students have the availability and choice to add their own contribution to how the class will be run. 
We often take votes and the course of class can be altered if need be. 
On the other hand, all of my students share a common goal/interest: to gain the comfy chair!
Students will have to work together or individually (depending on what they are doing) to win the chair. 
This common goal has strengthened their bond and their work ethics. ]]> 2019-02-04 03:33:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/327153521 jsalem8588 https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/327155097 Another fundamental key to having a strong classroom community is sharing a common language. Now, this might sound weird considering I teach French, which in essence can be defined as a common language. However, our common language is actually our class rules that we agreed upon at the beginning of the year. 
When students come into the classroom they have to leave English outside and make every attempt possible to express themselves in French. When they need to say something in English and it is unavoidable, they have to go to the door to do so. This helps keep the classroom community an English free zone. 
But of course, as a supportive classroom leader, I provide students with a cheat-sheet that they can use. That sheet is on the wall and the words and expressions change according to need. 
Rules can rule!]]> 2019-02-04 03:44:51 UTC https://padlet.com/jsalem8588/yu5znxg1cmrn/wish/327155097