ONLINE READING ACTIVITIES & FRENCH RESOURCES
How can you help your child learn to read in French? Have a look at this website from the University of Calgary for some strategies to help figure out words when reading in French.
Currently, RAZ-kids does not exist in French. However there are other websites that have online books that students can read or have the computer read aloud to them. When students are choosing a book to read themselves, they should try the 5-finger rule (we have practiced this in class) --> Open the book to a middle page with lots of writing on it and begin to read. Whenever the student comes across a word that is very difficult for them to read or they do not understand it, they put up one finger. If the student get through the whole page with zero fingers up, the book is too easy. If they get to 5 fingers, the book is too hard. If they have 1-4 fingers up at the end of the page, the book is just right.
One fantastic aspect about online books or books on CD is that students can listen to the book a few times, then read it independently... and they will usually have more success! I encourage students listen to first listen to the story at least once and then read it on their own. This will help with both their pronunciation and comprehension.
Click on the link below to access Tumblebooks in French
Tumblebooks (French and English) Milton Public Library
TumbleBook Library now requires you to login with your library barcode when outside the library. This is similar to requirements from most vendors and ensures that users are members of the library. Its easy to become a member!
The books are not levelled - so students can try choosing a book and can always explore other books and have the computer read them out loud.
Here are a variety of online French books (some sites have more books than others):
Clipounets
Le pays du soleil et de la lune
Children's books forever! (French available)
Une histoire juste pour toi
Stéphyprod - More French online books
Boukili
The International Digital Children's Library
Les Contes - 6 different stories:
Sunshine People - Bibliothèque
Select any book and then on the right hand side, click on "tourne les pages en ligne".
Professor Garfield - Toon Book Reader
At the bottom of the page, select "FRENCH" and the books that can be read in French will be highlighted. They appear in order of difficulty (easier books at the top, harder books bottom right). Simply click on a book and choose "read to me" for audio of the book.
Il était une histoire (requires you to sign up a free account).