Author:
Mimi Fahnstrom, Camille Daw, Brenna McNeil, Amber Hoye
Subject:
Languages
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
Middle School, High School, College / Upper Division
Tags:
  • Adjectif
  • Adjectives
  • Animals
  • Famille
  • Family
  • French
  • Home
  • La Structure D'une Question
  • Les Animaux
  • Les Animaux Domestiques
  • Maison
  • Pets
  • The Structure of a Question
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English, French

    French Level 1, Activity 11: Les animaux domestiques / Pets (Online)

    French Level 1, Activity 11: Les animaux domestiques / Pets (Online)

    Overview

    Students will discuss their pets and learn about the role of pets in French families.

    Activity Information

    Did you know that you can access the complete collection of Pathways Project French activities in our new Let’s Chat! French pressbook? View the book here: https://boisestate.pressbooks.pub/pathwaysfrench 

    Please Note: Many of our activities were created by upper-division students at Boise State University and serve as a foundation that our community of practice can build upon and refine. While they are polished, we welcome and encourage collaboration from language instructors to help modify grammar, syntax, and content where needed. Kindly contact pathwaysproject@boisestate.edu with any suggestions and we will update the content in a timely manner. 

    Pets / Les animaux domestiques

    Description

    In this activity, students will discuss their pets and learn about the role of pets in French families.

    Semantic Topics

    Pets, family, animals, home, adjectives, les animaux domestiques, famille, les animaux, maison, adjectif, the structure of a question, la structure d’une question

    Products

    Dogs, cats, fish, etc.

    Practices

    Pets are often kept in French homes! Cats are more popular to keep than dogs, especially in Paris.

    Perspectives

    Domestic animals are seen as a members of the family in France – domestic animals often live inside with their family and are treated with respect. In some smaller villages, the animals also have practical purposes, cats can be used as “barn cats” used to catch vermin and unwanted pests, and dogs can be used to herd farm animals and protect the house

    • How might the love of domestic animals relate to how animals and the environment in general are valued and respected in French culture?

    NCSSFL-ACTFL World-Readiness Standards

    • Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations or correspondence in French to provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
    • Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret spoken and written French on a variety of topics.
    • Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas in French to an audience of listeners or readers.
    • Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of francophone cultures and their own.

    Idaho State Content Standards

    • COMM 1: Interact with others in the target language and gain meaning from interactions in the target language.
    • COMM 2: Discover meaning from what is heard, read or viewed on a variety of topics in the target language.
    • COMM 3: Utilize appropriate media to present an idea to an audience.
    • CLTR 1.1 Analyze the cultural practices/patterns of behavior accepted as the societal norm in the target culture.
    • CONN 2.1 Access authentic materials prepared in the target language by or for native speakers.
    • COMP 1.3 Compare and analyze idiomatic expressions in the target language.

    NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements

    • I can understand the role of pets in a French family.
    • I can briefly describe my pet and what he/she likes to do.
    • I can recognize cultural expressions used in everyday French.

    Materials Needed

    Warm-Up

    Warm-Up

    1. Begin by introducing the Can-Dos for today's activity.

    2. Watch this short video with your students and then discuss the following questions: (Pour commencer, nous allons regarder cette courte vidéo et puis discuter quelques questions)

    • Est-ce que vous pensez que les Français préfèrent les chats ou les chiens ?
    • Est-ce que vous pensez que les Américains préfèrent les chats ou les chiens ?
    • Pensez-vous que le rôle des animaux domestiques en France est le même qu'ici ? Comment ? 

    Main Activity

    Main Activity

    1. Have each student choose an a pet from the slide on the slideshow (this is there imaginary pet for the activity).

    Demandez aux étudiants de choisir un animal de la diapositive sur le présentation (il s’agira de leur animal imaginaire pour l’exercice).

    2. When the slide of their pet comes on, they are going to tell the rest of the group about their pet.

    Quand la diapositive de leur animal arrive, ils devront parler de leur animal au reste du groupe:

    • Comment il/elle s'appelle ? (What is his/her name?)
    • Il/elle a quel âge ? (How old is he/she?)
    • Il/elle est comment ? (How is he/she?)
    • Qu'est-ce qu'il/elle aime faire ? (What does he/she like to do?)
    • Qu'est-ce que vous faites ensemble ? (What do you do together?)

    3. They should also practice asking each other questions about their imaginary pets.

    Ils doivent également s'entraîner à poser des questions aux autres concernant leur animal imaginaire.

    4. After, have them do the same activity but asking about their real pets at home.

    Ensuite, faites-leur faire le même exercice en leur demandant de parler de leur animal réel qu’ils ont à la maison.

     

    Wrap-Up

    Wrap-Up

    1. If there is time left, explain some of the different French expressions using cats.

    S’il reste du temps, expliquez différentes expressions françaises comprenant le mot chat.

    2. After you go through them, have the students think of the different expressions in English that use cats or dogs.

    Ensuite, demandez-leur de penser à différentes expressions en Anglais qui comprennent les mots chat et chien.

    3. Go through the slides with the French expressions and have the students try and figure out what they mean. Then explain their translation and meaning.

    French Idioms that include cats

    -Il n'y a pas un chat: 

    Translation:  There is not a cat (in sight).

    Meaning: There is no one (or only a few people, but less than expected).

    -Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter

    Translation: To have other cats to whip

    Meaning: To have bigger fish to fry

    -Appeler un chat un chat 

    Translation: To call a cat a cat

    Meaning: To say things like they are

    -Avoir un chat dans la gorge

    Translation: To have a cat in the throat

    Meaning: To have a sore throat/difficulty speaking

    -Donner sa langue au chat

    Translation: To give your tongue to the cat

    Meaning: To not be able to guess

    Cultural Notes

    In France the most popular type of domestic animal are cats. Dogs come second, but most French prefer cats as a domestic animal. Cats are often seen in many French films and are frequently referenced in cultural works (film, art, literature, etc.)

    End of Activity

    • Can-Do statement check-in... “Where are we?”
    • Read can-do statements and have students evaluate their confidence.
    • Encourage students to be honest in their self-evaluation
    • Pay attention, and try to use feedback for future activities!

    NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements

    1. I can understand the role of pets in a French family.
    2. I can briefly describe my pet and what he/she likes to do.
    3. I can recognize cultural expressions used in everyday French.