When it comes to assessing students, I always like to find fun and creative ways when I can. Not only does this show me that they can use the language but that they get to be creative and when students are able to have fun, be creative and use their imaginations I really think that is when the learning takes place! Inspiring students with the use of projects and presentations really gets their minds in motion and the wheels turning.
So when it comes to giving assessments in class we know there are always quizzes and tests and on the flip side of that, we know students are probably tired of taking them and we are tired of grading them! The last thing a student or I (you) wants to do on a Friday in class is take an assessment…and I am sure it is the last thing as a teacher (you) want to be grading over the weekend! (I always liked to do something fun on Friday, so that the students left with a fun memory and couldn’t wait until Monday!)
What if there was another tool we could use in the classroom to assess students? Wouldn’t that be AMAZING!
What about PROJECTS & PRESENTAIONS!?!?!
Yes, I said projects! Projects and presentations are a great way to assess our students’ knowledge while allowing them to be creative and express themselves through the language. Not only does this inspire them to use the language but allows them to show us what they know rather than us making them show us what we want them to know. This is a time when many of my students who were poor assessment takers would shine! They loved the opportunity to be able to do a great job! (Testing anxiety is real!)
If you want to give a project a try for your students head on over to my TPT Store! I have several fun, easy and no-prep projects available for you to use with your students.
- Family Tree Project: This is a lesson/project that can be used for students to review and show their expertise about family, vocabulary and grammar in French. Students are to complete the project individually. Students are able to use their own family for reference or students can create their own family by choosing people who are inspirational to them! This lesson will take approximately 5-6 days to complete, depending on the level of your class. There is a written and creative section for this project as well as an oral presentation.
- Le Cinéma Projet: Students are to recreate a scene from their favorite TV show or movie. (*Important: The scene and dialogue must be school appropriate.*) This is a great way to get students to use their French language skills in a fun and creative way! Student groups will present their scenes to the class upon completion. This lesson will take approximately 3-5 days to complete, depending on the level of your class.
- Les Régions De La France Project: This is a lesson/project that can be used for students to get to know the regions of France. Students are to complete the project individually and then present their project to the class. This is a great way to start off the school year and get students back into the groove with their French. This lesson will take approximately 5-6 days to complete, depending on the level of your class.
- Mon Animal De Fantaisie -Fantasy Animal: This is a great activity that can be used on Halloween or throughout the year for students to review the verb avoir, body parts, numbers, colors and adjectives. It is a fun and creative way to get students using their French!
- Projet D’Émotions: This is a great activity that can be used to review or practice emotions in French. Students are to create a children’s book in French with illustrations, describing how they feel when doing certain activities. It is a fun and creative way to get students using their French!
- Children’s Book Project: Students are to create a children’s book in French about their childhood using the passé composé and the imparfait. This is a great way to get students to use their French language skills in a fun and creative way! Students can present their books to the class upon completion or you could have your students read their books to a younger crowd at your local elementary school (if possible)! This lesson will take approximately 3-5 days to complete, depending on the level of your class.
- News Report Project: Students are to create and produce a news report skit portraying a news program. (*Important: The scene and dialogue must be school appropriate.*) This is a great way to get students to use their French language skills in a fun and creative way! Student groups will present their scenes to the class upon completion. This lesson will take approximately 3-5 days to complete, depending on the level of your class.
- Une Personne Francophone Célèbre Projet: This is a lesson/project that can be used for students to get to know famous French celebrities. Students are to complete the project individually or in partners (interview style) and then present their project to the class. This is a great way to start off the school year or after a school break to get students back into the groove with their French. This lesson will take approximately 5-6 days to complete, depending on the level of your class.
- Puppet Show Presentation: Students will be putting on a puppet show in French! (This can be adapted into other languages easily as well!) Students will work in groups of 3-4. Students will create the dialogue and make their own puppets for the show as well as being able to use props. This is a fun way for students to be creative and have fun with the French language, while showing off their language skills! This activity/lesson will take approximately 3-5 days to complete depending on class level. (A few days to work on their script and practice. A day or two for presentations depending on how many groups there are.)
- C’est Moi Presentation: This is a great activity that can be used at the start of the school year or beginning of a new semester to get to know your students! It is a fun and creative way for students to tell you about themselves and what they like to do/participate in. There is a Lower Level and Upper Level version included. Choose the best option for your course level.
- 10 Year Predictions Project: Looking for a fun way to review vocabulary and the future tense with students? This activity lays everything out for you to have students practice their French skills in regards to vocabulary, the future tense, writing and comprehending the French language.
You can find all of these projects and more at my TPT Store.
As always, I hope that you have found this information useful and helpful to you!
Merci,
Amanda