Substitute French teachers can engage students with fun French learning games.

As a substitute teacher you have less than five minutes to gain control in the classroom, but as a substitute French teacher you have even less time. Most French classes are 40-60 minutes, and with many students not interested in learning the language, it can be difficult as the substitute.

There are two options for the French substitute teacher; give the assigned homework and countdown the minutes till the next class, or have a sense of humor and a few fun simple French games to play.

The first option will not give you or the students a rewarding experience, therefore it is best to choose option two. Having a sense of humor is important, as it relaxes and engages the students. At the beginning of class, tell the students they may only talk in French or they may talk in English with a French accent. As students ask questions, remind them to talk with the French accent. Students giggle and relax with this request. Lastly, have a few fun French games for the students to participate in. Do a quick game before the work is assigned to intrigue the students and it will encourage them to listen and do their work as they usually want to continue with the games.

Jacque Dit

Get kids moving for five minutes with the French version of Simon Says. The French version is called Jacque dit and is played according to the rules of Simon Says.

How to Play

Teacher will say Jacque a dit touchez, followed by a body part. The teacher will touch the body part as she says the phrase. Students are to follow the instructions because he said Jacque a dit touchez. The teacher will continue to repeat say Jacque dit and change the body parts. However, the teacher has the option of saying touchez and a body part. If the teacher only says touchez, the students are not to follow the instructions because she did not say Jacque dit.

If a student follows the instruction, they must sit down. The last person standing wins the game.

Sample Game of Jacque Dit

Jacque a dit touchez la tete: Jack said touch the head. (Students follow the instruction)

Jacque a dit touchez la bouche: Jack said touch your mouth. (Students follow the instruction)

Jacque a dit touchez la jambe: Jack said touch your leg. (Students follow the instruction)

Touchez la tete: Touch the head. (Students do not follow the instruction, if they did they must sit down.)

Jacque a dit touchez la main: Jack said touch your hand. (Students follow the instruction)

Body parts

la bouche: mouth

la cheville:ankle

la coude: elbow

la dent: tooth

la jambe: leg

la joue: check

la levre: lip

la main: hand

la poitrine: chest

la tete: head

le bras: arm

le cou: neck

le doigt: finger

le dos: back

le genou: knee

le nez: nose

le poignet: wrist

le pouce: thumb

le visage: face

les cheveus: hair

les yeux: eyes

un estomac: stomach

un oeil: eye

un ongle: fingernail

une epaule: shoulder

une oreille: ear

le pied: foot

un orteil: toe

Movement

marche: walk

jump: sauté

patine: skate

mange: eat

nage: swim

sauté: jump

Math Game

Numbers are often placed on the wall in the French class for students to practice; as well they are at the back of their textbooks. Have a math game where students must answer a math question in French. An option is to split the class into two groups and have them compete against each other.

How to Play

Teacher asks a simple math questions in French. Students must answer in French as well. Many students will automatically know the answer in English but it takes them a few minutes to remember the french word for the number. Teacher can combine the math operations and have students write the questions on paper or choose to have a game of mental math. Mental math does not allow the students to use pencil and paper to find the answer. Competition is the best way to get all the students involved in the game.

Math Operations

Addition: La somme

French: deux plus deux egale cuatre (2+2=4)

cinq plus un egale six (5+1=6)

Subtraction: La difference

French: deux moins deux egale zero (2-2=0)

Multiplication:Le produit

French: deux multiplie par deux egale cuatre (2*2=4)

Division: La division

French: deux divise par deux egale un (2/2=1)

Combination of Operations

French: deux multiplie trois moins cinq egale un ( 2*3-5=1)

Hangman

Hangman is a popular game with students; it can be played as a class or in pairs. The French version for class is to decide on a theme and students may only chose French words associated with the theme. As well, students must pronounce the French letter.

How to Play

Student chooses a French word related to the theme. He must draw spaces on the board or paper for each letter in the word. As well, he draws a number 7 for the hangman. Student pick fellow students to suggest a letter to solve the word puzzle. If the letter is a part of the word, he places the letter in the appropriate spot. However, if the letter is not a part of the word, he prints the letter on the board and starts to draw the body of the hangman. If the class is able to predict the word before the student draws the hangman, they win, otherwise the student wins.

Word Jumble

Teacher jumbles a word and students must move the letters around to create a French word. It is best to use a theme with a word jumble. Teacher places 5 word jumbles on the board and students must solve the puzzle. The first student to yell out jumble and successful solve the puzzle wins.

Word Jumble Sample

Theme: animals

xvchuae: chevaux (horse)

enhic: chien (dog)

nilap: lapin (rabbit)

tach: chat (cat)

noli: lion (lion)